Hair algae...maybe?

[Bergy]

well that is partly correct...

if your water source is really bad you will need to change the filters more often... BUT the filters are not TIMED... the life span depends on how much water you use, *(and how bad the source is)

so if you use a lot you will need to replace the filters more frequently..

for a 'guide'.. i had a 180 gallon tank and 50 sump and changed my fitlers twice a year.. for about $35 each time...

there are filters, and there is a DI resin.. 'di-ionized' resin..

if you buy a bunch at one time everything is a little cheaper of if you buy one set it will be a little more


my suggestion is to buy one set of replacement filters when you buy teh filter so you know you have it... I aosl suggest taking it all apart and seeing how hard it is to change them.. it isnt.. but want you to get some practice in and to think about where or how you mount it.. if you do mount it

depending on the quality of your water source (well, municipal, etc..) you will need to change the filters anywhere from 6 months to a year. The RO membrane should last quite a bit longer as long as the filters are doing thier thing and stopping crap from getting to the membrane.

[pinkorchid]

Gotcha! Our municipal water is pretty good, the kids and I use it as our drinking water. Funny the tank will be getting "cleaner" water than us...hehe. I really don't go through too much, 2L a week top off and 5gal water change every 4-6wks. I will keep that in mind to have the replacements ready to go.

In the meantime while I figure things out, get $$ together etc. I'll start using RO water from the grocery store.
Thanks for the help, I feel like a total newbie all over again :(

[Learner]

Now work out..how much the RO unit is going to cost to install and run, against the cost of the RO water from your supplier.

Our water is metered over here, so we pay for all that we use, even the waste water- which you will have using the RO unit.

We don't have a unit, but spend £3.50 per month buying it in. This method -for us- I worked out, is less costly than installing, running and maintaining the unit.....Hmmmm   :0/

[pinkorchid]

I will do that comparison Tania! Thx...

[Bergy]

definately do the calcs, but also keep in mind that RO water is not RO/DI water... andyes, our fish deserve better water then we do, as that is thier life.. thier air...  if we were as sensitive as our fish you certainly wouldnt want to import Los Angeles air for us to breathe but rather filtered air...

but i am guessin you knew that and your comment was totally in jest...

and yes, ro/di filters 'waste' water.. that is it takes 3-4 gallons of tap water to make 1 gallon of filtered water... if you dont plumb your filter to 'recycle ' the waste water then that water goes down the drain.. but you can just run a small tube out to the planter, or into your waashing machine, or you can buy a system that plumbs it back  into your home, *into the hot water system,.... as we dont drink hot water...

and the waste water is just a little concentrated tap water... nothing more...

[pinkorchid]

Yes, and I do feel bad for not switching sooner :(


Culligan RO water....will be lacking the DI, but much better than tap correct?? I will keep my eyes peeled for a used ro/di unit.
Thanks for your input.

As far as the algae goes I am lacking in the cuc department - 2 nass, a couple ceriths, and a blue legged hermit. Through a regional reef forum I *think* I found someone not to far away that can help. I hate that something as simple as snails is so hard for me to get. I visited both local fish shops and made some calls over the weekend with no luck. Hoping this contact gets back to me or it looks like I'll be paying $30 shipping for a bag of snails.

On another note....are there any cool creatures that might make a nice addition? Re-cap 55gal, 2 occ clowns, 1 cleaner shrimp and above mentioned inverts.  Are there any recommended sea stars? Most I've seen get fairly large. This won't be now but just thinking of adding something in the future....next step is upgrading lights, then maybe an addition. Can't believe the tank has been up for 1yr already!!

[Learner]

Woohoo..one year!! doesn't time fly.

At least you've had no ill effects using conditioned tap water, and the algae is probably only as a result of lack of CUC, as you've said previously. Hoping the 'local' guy comes up with the goods for you; fingers crossed.

As for additions, your tank is twice the size of ours, so you are able to consider a few more tank buddies.

I have no idea on stars, but I'm sure you'll be innundated with suggestions soon.

I like to watch our sulphur Gobi; he's not an algae eater, but is great fun to watch sifting the sand through his gills...lol.

I believe the Tang eats algae......feel free to correct me here.......rather fun to watch too.

We're considering changing lights too!!! Hubby wants to lose the lid, and go with the overhead set up....aaargh!! note to self: don't forget mesh...lol


Speak soon,
Tania. :0)

[KYLE.801]

Not sure if you could get your hands on a sand sifting star fish if so that would be a good addition.  They are pretty dull in color but mine keeps my sand clean (well only in one spot lol) he just likes one corner of my tank probably due to nutrients and/or oxygen or something else.  They are also fun to watch disappear in the sand and then a few days later reappear. 

[Just_Greg]

We use an "indicator" DI resin that changes color when it's exhausted.  We typically swap out everything but the RO membrane when we change the resin.  Then again, we go thru a LOT of water...

Speaking of RO/DI, I just set up the plumbing so we can run the RO/DI unit off the water supply line for the washing machine.

[Bergy]

im hoping and thinking that you branch off the tubing prior to the resin for your washing machine or icemaker...

you dont need zero tdz for washing clothers or drinking.. and by doing so will let your resin last longer




but i reallly have quite quiessing anymore as i would have come by by now...

We use an "indicator" DI resin that changes color when it's exhausted.  We typically swap out everything but the RO membrane when we change the resin.  Then again, we go thru a LOT of water...

Speaking of RO/DI, I just set up the plumbing so we can run the RO/DI unit off the water supply line for the washing machine.