New to the hobby,and this site.

[rev]

First off,hello.I have had fresh/brackish aquariums for 20+ years,and about 6 months ago started a 46 gallon bowfront saltwater tank.
I don't know how I went this long without a saltwater tank.
Ok,so here are the specs.fluval 304,2 powerheads,crushed coral substrate,and about 20 pounds of lava style rock.I am about to get some live rock.The water quality is awesome,always tests good.I have a well,that is tapped into an underground spring (pure water).I still have not found the need for a protein skimmer.I have no algae (minor diatoms) and the water is crystal clear.Do I need one?
Also,should I change the substrate to sand?Or leave it as it is?

 

[farmboy]

Welcome Rev!

As a rule, rain water is more acidic but "soft". By contrast, water from the ground is more "hard" from minerals and some heavy metals(iron for one) leaching into it. RO-DI water is supposed to be 99% pure.
Have you had your well water tested for phosphates, heavy metals and silica? That is a good place to start.

 

[airforceb2]

Hello and welcome to the boards and an all new addiction!!
Did you filter the water at all or just put it straight in the tank? Well water is usually very high in minerals and metals that your tank doesn't need.
A skimmer does more than get rid of algae. IMO, I think it is a must on all salt tanks. They remove unwanted protein and help keep the nitrates in check.
I would change the CC to live sand. It is much more beneficial and is a lot easier to maintain.
Just my .02.

 

[rev]

Originally Posted by Farmboy
Welcome Rev!

Have you had your well water tested for phosphates, heavy metals and silica? That is a good place to start.
Of course.We have it tested every year.And tests come back the same every time.It tests so low on phosphates,iron,and copper that they call it pure.I don't know the exact term they use.But it's springwater.

 

[hot883]

Pesticides, fertilizers etc. WILL be in that water. R/O is really the only way to go IMO. If the things that I mentioned are not present, then you are extremely lucky, but the phosphates, other hard minerals will do your sw tank NO good.

 

[airforceb2]

Do you know what the last TDS reading was? Total Disolved Solids

 

[rev]

Originally Posted by airforceb2
Hello and welcome to the boards and an all new addiction!!
Did you filter the water at all or just put it straight in the tank? Well water is usually very high in minerals and metals that your tank doesn't need.
I have a 20 gallon tank that I use to add salt and let run for a few days before a change
I would change the CC to live sand. It is much more beneficial and is a lot easier to maintain.
Just my .02.
Ok,I Think I will give it a try.hmmmm....How to I use my gravel vac on a sand substrate?

 

[airforceb2]

Exactly...you don't. The living bacterias in the sand will take care of that for you. You can also get nassarius snails and sand sifting crabs. They do all the work so all you have to do is sit back and watch.

 

[rev]

Originally Posted by airforceb2
Do you know what the last TDS reading was? Total Disolved Solids
42 ppm from what the paper says.

 

[rev]

you folks are the best!
Ok,so what is this vinegar test?I am going tomorrow to get some sand. hahaha.

 

[airforceb2]

That is VERY low for well water but still too high for salt tanks. My water fluctuates between 0-3PPM after my RO/DI unit.

 

[farmboy]

On a positive note: If you do go with ro/di water, your filters will last a long time on that water.