Need advice Tank water evaporates safe to make my own water?! plz help!

[zallman125]

i have very simple tank t25 lamp 35galon tank pretty big power head do not know the gallon per sec on it friend gave it to me. about 12lbs of live rock pretty thick live sand i have no skimmer no sump bec of the space in my apartment and the stand i have the tank on. i run 2 canister filters that are for 75+ gallon tanks i think the 305 model filled with carbon and polly filters and bio balls. ive had this tank up and running for about 6 months 2 clowns 2 damsels 1 crab 2 snails and i just got a yellow tang.

My question and help is my tank has been evaporating considering my apartment is real small and it is winter where i am and the heat is on also the heater inside the tank i feel it evaporates fast since i had it setup i usually i have to top it off once a week, and ive been making/curing my own water pretty much i have no other choice atm but all ive been doing is filling a tarsh can up with tap water using chemicals properly measuring everything and a tad bit of salt bec i loose alot of salt from "creeep" salt i mix it real well daily keep a lid on it i let it sit for 3 days then i feel its safe to use. ive been doing this for about 6 months my fish seem to do okay and are use to it. i would like to buy more fish and some coral but im scared this method im doing is not safe or need to change something up plz help and some advice would be nice!

 

[theschlay]

No easy answers but here are some things to help keep you safe. (First, I assume you are not able to invest in an RO filter.. Thats your best bet.. If not, and you want to use chemicals you must match the water to your tank to ensure your safe. Some fish are really flexible to poor water quality so you are correct in not assuming your safe to add new livestock.

- 35 gallons is not a lot of water so a water change or top off can greatly impact the water quality your fish are living in. So you must be sure to test before you put new water in. (Some of the below you need to do regardless of using RO water or treated)

- The Salinity of your water changes need to be spot on what your current water paramaters are, I would invest in a refractometer.Cheap and can save your fish
- The temp should be the same.. - Invest in a heater and two matched digital thermometers.. Temp changes cause stress quickly. Temp should be between 77 - 84 depending on your inhabitants
- Have your tap water professionally tested. It may change over time due to changes in water treatment but it can help you understand what you are dealing with. If you have iron or copper in your water you could be introducing these elements in small doses which will build up over time and kills all of your coral.
- Test the water for Nitrate and Phosphate levels. Many fresh water sources will contain high concentrations of Nitrates which will build up and add to the load you already have in your take. Test the PH aslo. You dont want to shock the fish with low PH (acid) water.

It would be best for you to get an RO system or buy RO water from somewhere. If you cant, make sure you use care

 

[jay0705]

I use treated tap and have no issues. That said, r/o is the way to go. Alot of lfs sell it or u can get it at walmart aswell. For as small as your tank is you could get a few gallons of "drinking" water not spring water. All drinking water is ,is tap water filtered by r/o

 

[silverado61]

A yellow tang is built for speed and needs at least a 4ft long tank. Depending on its size now, your gonna have problems when it get bigger.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by silverado61 http:///t/397404/need-advice-tank-water-evaporates-safe-to-make-my-own-water-plz-help#post_3541992
A yellow tang is built for speed and needs at least a 4ft long tank. Depending on its size now, your gonna have problems when it get bigger.


+1 The yellow tang will get really mean over territory, they need their space... and there will be trouble with the damsels too...they are evil little fish, as they mature they are known for biting people drawing blood when they put their hand in the tank.

That said...Walmart sells RO water for 37 cents a gallon at the refill station, which every other big grocery store carries as well. The ONLY chemical you should be using to make your water, is a good salt mix. top off always depends on the evaporation, and that goes with what the room temperature is...keep your water level always the same and you are fine...unless you have a slow leak someplace. A salt creep line will tell you where the problem is if that's the case.

You also don't have to make sure the temp is the same for water changes (unless there is a HUGE difference), just match the SG. I had a reef for many years, and never even heard of a refractometer until I came to this site. I like it, I have had one for 3 years now...but it isn't a must have for water changes. As long as what is in the tank matches the new water, no mater if it's an hydrometer or refractometer is all that you need to be concerned with.

 

[silverado61]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/397404/need-advice-tank-water-evaporates-safe-to-make-my-own-water-plz-help#post_3542007
Quote:
Originally Posted by silverado61 http:///t/397404/need-advice-tank-water-evaporates-safe-to-make-my-own-water-plz-help#post_3541992
A yellow tang is built for speed and needs at least a 4ft long tank. Depending on its size now, your gonna have problems when it get bigger.


+1 The yellow tang will get really mean over territory, they need their space... and there will be trouble with the damsels too...they are evil little fish, as they mature they are known for biting people drawing blood when they put their hand in the tank.

That said...Walmart sells RO water for 37 cents a gallon at the refill station, which every other big grocery store carries as well. The ONLY chemical you should be using to make your water, is a good salt mix. top off always depends on the evaporation, and that goes with what the room temperature is...keep your water level always the same and you are fine...unless you have a slow leak someplace. A salt creep line will tell you where the problem is if that's the case.

You also don't have to make sure the temp is the same for water changes (unless there is a HUGE difference), just match the SG. I had a reef for many years, and never even heard of a refractometer until I came to this site. I like it, I have had one for 3 years now...but it isn't a must have for water changes. As long as what is in the tank matches the new water, no mater if it's an hydrometer or refractometer is all that you need to be concerned with.
Just to clarify, the Damsels are the evil little fish. Not the tangs near as much. And if you have to get them out for any reason you'll have to take EVERYTHING out to get to them.

 

[theschlay]

I am probably too careful with matching my temp of water change to my tank but thats because I have a basement tank and my RO station is in the basement. So the difference in temp is significant. Also because I have had a problem in the past where I stressed my fish and caused a problem (which led to the loss of fish). Its an easy thing to do and at the very least, I suggest testing the water to ensure the temp is within 5 degrees (I shoot for 1). There is really no disagreeing with this practice. It is science and it could hurt your fish so be careful.