Hello:)

silverado61

Well-Known Member
As it degrades it will fall apart so tie it in a piece of nylon stocking and just toss it in. The stocking makes it easier to remove after the ammonia spikes.
 

cysco1187

Member
So I still need to buy an ammonia test kit. Anyone know how much they cost? And what do you mean reverse osmosis and deionized water?(noob) What do I need besides the filter?
 

silverado61

Well-Known Member
Yes you still need a test kit. You can buy a marine test kit that tests for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and pH at most petsmarts for about $50 but its cheaper than buying them separately and you'll eventually need all four tests anyway.
You can get RO water at any Walmart, Jewel or Kroger at the water refill station. A lot cheaper than buying it at a fish store.
For a twenty gallon tank, a " hang on the back " filter rated for a 30g tank will work fine.
 

cysco1187

Member
The tank came with the filter, so I think I'm set with that. I don't know if my Walmart has RO water, but I don't really understand what you are talking about with this RO water. Please fill me in.
 

silverado61

Well-Known Member
It removes any chemicals or metals from the water. When you buy a bottle of drinking water, that's RO water. You don't need to dechlorinate this water. Its already done for you.
 

cysco1187

Member
So buy like, gallons of drinking water? Is this just used to top off the tank after water evaporates? I'm not quite clear...
 

silverado61

Well-Known Member
The filter that came with your tank is for freshwater systems. Saltwater systems need extra filtration so an over sized one is best. Keep the one that came with the tank for a backup. If you try to go too cheap with saltwater tanks your asking for trouble down the road.
 

cysco1187

Member
http://www.petsmart.com/food-care/water-care/api-reef-aquarium-master-test-kit-zid36-5115492/cat-36-catid-300064?_t=pfm%3Dsearch

Is this what I need to buy?
 

silverado61

Well-Known Member
Buy some cheap five gallon buckets and label them " fish only " and use them ONLY for the tank to avoid cross contamination. Fill them with RO water. I'll bet $10 that your Walmart does have a water refill station. I never been to one that doesn't. And I travel a lot.
 

silverado61

Well-Known Member

silverado61

Well-Known Member
Well I filled the tank last night and used the dechlorinator. That water is okay water, right?
not for salt, no. RO is always best
 

cysco1187

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by silverado61 http:///t/397463/hello/40#post_3542715
Buy some cheap five gallon buckets and label them " fish only " and use them ONLY for the tank to avoid cross contamination. Fill them with RO water. I'll bet $10 that your Walmart does have a water refill station. I never been to one that doesn't. And I travel a lot.
So question: If drinking water is RO water, is it possible to just buy a bunch of 1-gallon jugs of water and do it that way if I wanted to?
 

silverado61

Well-Known Member
Its more expensive to buy it by the gallon jug but yes you can do it that way. Just make sure it says " drinking water " on the label.
 
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