110 gallon tank start up. ro question and stocking my tank while waiting?

[morgan175]

have read many threads most say start with ro water. i have a kent marine hi s the maxxima i think 35 gal per day. its been hanging on the wall for 4 years how do i test to see if it is good all the compartments look clean.
question 2 was given tank how do i know if it was treated with copper and if it was will this hurt me in the long run.
want to go slow. in the past was fine with fish only tank but want corals. had many things go wrong in the past.

 

[bang guy]

The RO membrane on your filter is shot if it was allowed to go dry. You can try it and test to see if it's working but if it were me I'd get an order of replacement cartridges and a membrane ordered. To test it all you need is a TDS meter.
For the copper... I have no idea how you would know. I will say that if you're going with a Fish Only then copper in the seams isn't any worry at all. Personally, the only time I would worry is if I wanted a reef or inverts and the tank had a constant prophylactic level of copper for a long time. Anything INSIDE the tank like rock or plastics I would not reuse.

 

[morgan175]

what tds meter would u recomend. i saw from 120 to 24.99. i will not reuse anything i was given sump or other items. planning a refuge anyway. sand and rock all new

 

[mr. limpid]

+ one on replacing all filters on RO, after 4 years I wouldn't chance it, as for TDS meter a good LFS should be able test your water for you. I only test RO water twice a year.
for the copper my thought is fill your tank and get a copper test kit to see if any levels are present. Just because you want to keep corals. Like Bang Guys says, if fish only a little copper is no problem.

 

[morgan175]

the problem with lfs is its petsmart and ***** don't like any other good shop would be 45 minute drive. they took our lfs out of business couldn't compete. so yes i would like to know what kind to buy. heard stories with people not checking theirs at home and giving poor quality water into tank. thanks for the copper answer can i do that with freshwater in the tank or does it have to be salt. reasoon is before i put the live rock and sand in i don't want to harm if copper is present believe it will absorb into them thanks to all for helping reallllllly appreciated on any thoughts.

 

[mr. limpid]

Salifert or API copper test kits says fresh or saltwater. As for a good meter I do not have one so no recommendations, sorry.

 

[morgan175]

ordered test kits today so we will be a while before i go any further thank you. ordered the membrain and other cartridges today to. depending on results i will need help. i will be sitting on my hands for a week or so.

 

[morgan175]

while waiting i thought we might discuss my stocking of the tank i have a good idea of what fish i want for my 110 gallon tank.
powder brown tang
sixline wrasse
flame angel
lawnmower blenny
bicolor foxface rabbitfish
diamond watchman goby
mandarrin dragonet
cuc suggestions? probably a reef pack from saltwater.com.
like polyps, brain coral, bubble coral, and mushroom to say a few and most likely frog spawn.
the sand base is up in the air read so many different things looks like 4 inches.
the live rock is about 75 lbs. dead rock from 5 years ago will be scrubbed then planning to add about 50 more lbs.
now the refuge is made by cpr from 5 years ago has a light build in. planning on using a filter sock with carbon in the return from tank. will have live sand rock and calulerpa with i think an ams skimmer don't know what size yet.
how does this look to you all.

 

[morgan175]

is this good

 

[bang guy]

The Tank is a advanced fish IMO. I know you mention you had kept fish before, I just mention it because I don't know your experience level.
I would wait on the Dragonet until 6 - 9 months after you add the additional 50 pounds of rock to ensure it has plenty of food.
The rest looks great!
I'm a fan of having a large diversity of snails for a CUC. Cerith, Stomatella, and Nassarious vibex are must haves and then Nerite or Maculatus for additional diatom control.

 

[mr. limpid]

I would suggest is the the six line and mandarrin will compete for pods go with one or the other not both. Add the foxface before you add power brown and the angle would be the last fish. Good luck

 

[morgan175]

bought a tds meter and measured my ro unit from 4 years ago getting a read of 3 ppm. i think i can begin? going to lowe's now to buy a trash can for mixing salt.
step 1
fill trash can with water add salt heater and a couple of powerheads.
step 2
fill tank repeat step 1.
step 3
put live rock in after scrubbing it was dry and add sand
step 4
fill tank with rest of water and add seasoned live rock begin cycle
how does this look.
one thing to keep in mind is that i can't spell. i can't right. i get upset with some people on here who correct people for this hey i'm not and english teacher i just want to enjoy the hobby and get some advice from people. please no smack.

 

[bang guy]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Limpid http:///t/387880/110-gallon-tank-start-up-ro-question-and-stocking-my-tank-while-waiting#post_3418086
I would suggest is the the six line and mandarrin will compete for pods go with one or the other not both. Add the foxface before you add power brown and the angle would be the last fish. Good luck
Yes, I missed that. I agree with Mr. Limpid.