converting freshwater tank to salt

[silverado61]

Compared to other major brands they are. Just remember, when you buy an off brand from someone who doesn't specialize in what your looking for just to save money, you get what you pay for and end up spending more to replace it or have it fixed. If they'll even fix it.

 

[silverado61]

And the size depends on what size system your going to run and what you want to achieve. You'll have to do research on this one.

 

[mauler]

I'll look it up and is there a place where anyone here gets there equipment from at a discount or the cheapest place

 

[mauler]

It seems like the heavier your bio load the bigger the protein skimmer? so since I'm only going to have three fish do you think a skimmer rated for 100 gallons would work

 

[silverado61]

It seems like the heavier your bio load the bigger the protein skimmer? so since I'm only going to have three fish do you think a skimmer rated for 100 gallons would workits not just how many fish but how big they get, what they eat and how messy they are.

 

[silverado61]

I'll look it up and is there a place where anyone here gets there equipment from at a discount or the cheapest placewe can't advise on that since saltwaterfish.com is also a retailer.

 

[mauler]

I think I'll go with a 150 gallon one just to be safe and upgrade if I need to but man those octopus skimmers are pricey

 

[mauler]

How do I make my own reverse osmosis thing or should I just buy one

 

[silverado61]

How do I make my own reverse osmosis thing or should I just buy oneI don't know if there is a way to make one. Or if it would even be economical. The price of buying one just depends on how much money you want to spend or how far you want to go with it but they can cost more than a protein skrubber. In some cases a lot more. Or you can just buy ro water at Walmart for .37 a gallon.

 

[2quills]

BRS sells some decent units and you can and build it your own way if you like. Air Water & Ice I hear are good as well. Really comes down to membrane performance I think and maintenance. For that size tank you probably won't want to be luggin jugs.

 

[mauler]

Not at all I ride a motorcycle and jugs and jugs of water is just not going to happen. And what do you mean air water and ice? And is it completely necessary to use reverse osmosis water?

 

[mauler]

I'm trying to lower my cost cause them protein skimmers are gonna break my wallet

 

[silverado61]

You really shouldn't need one for a few months anyway.

 

[mauler]

I won't worry about it for now but why can't I just put regular tap water in and dechlorinator in it?

 

[silverado61]

GeriDoc, 2quills or Bang Guy can answer that better than I but in a nut shell, tap water contains chemicals, iron and other minerals that are harmful to saltwater fish. The only way to remove them is by reverse osmosis. Air Water and Ice is a brand name for ro units.

 

[mauler]

Oh ok and if you can't use tap water do I need to fill the whole tank with RO water? And I thought the dechlorinator removed all that

 

[silverado61]

All the dechlorinater removes is chlorine. That's all.

 

[geridoc]

Dechlorinator removes chlorine, which isn't even a problem in saltwater systems. The major problems in tap water art trace contaminants like dry cleaning fluid, arsenic, nitrates, etc. You also typically have phosphates that will have you back here in a month complaining about hair algae taking over your tank, and silicates, which will cause unsightly diatom blooms. RODI will remove all of that. If $ is an issue, I would opt for a RODI device, and put off the skimmer until you absolutely need it (which might be never). Airwaterice is a web site that sells RODI systems. I have had mine for at least 10 years without a problem. They are very knowledgeable, and will give you good advice over the phone.

 

[mauler]

I can get all of but it'll take me a month or two but I guess I'll hold off on the skimmer for and I thought a skimmer was necessary in saltwater and a stupid question I'm sure but what the DI stand for in RODI?

 

[geridoc]

DI=deionized. The typical RODI system consists of a reverse osmosis cartridge, and additional cartridges for particulates and a deionizing cartridge that removes charges molecules like phosphates. A skimmer can be very important, especially in a reef system, not so much in a FOWLR tank like you are planning. Finally, the only stupid question on this site is one you don't ask, because that will surely result in disaster. Ask away!