RO unit or Live Rock, Which is more important?

saltwater8

saltwater8

Member
Originally Posted by capt.fish
Yes i did.Should i change my water since it's a new set up or what other options do i have?
I am not really sure, you are going to have to consult the higher-ups on here for that answer...
 
tronicsdr

tronicsdr

Member
If you can get filtered water somewhere cheap get the LR and wait on the RODI. LR is not only a filter its home... However under NO circumstance use tap water!!! Make sure you get gal jugs of distilled or find a culigan machine. I still pay for water because I think a filter would be a pain unless you have a dedicated laundry room or basement to set it up in. otherwise you have to set it up and then babysit the dumb thing while it makes your water... I use a couple of red 5 gal gas cans (plastic) to go get my water in. If you get single gals you may pay a little more, the walmart I go to is only $1.33 for a 5 gal refill.. it is just more expensive if you ring it up by the gal... Hope that Helps :happyfish :happyfish :happyfish
 
pontius

pontius

Active Member
Originally Posted by Hammbone
The choice is not one or the other.
I would say don't start an aquarium until you can somehow provide both LR and RO water.
Jim
the above quote hits the nail squarely on the head. this is not an "either/or" type hobby.
I personally have never seen RO water for sale at any Wal-Mart I've been to. I HAVE bought from Wal-Mart jugs of drinking water for $.65 per gallon. however if you test this water, I believe you'll find that the phosphates in it are astronomically high. this would defeat the whole purpose of buying water as the water I bought from Wal-Mart had higher phosphate levels than my tapwater.
and if that is the case, the RO unit is the better purchase (if you MUST choose). because if you have high phosphates, you are likely going to have an uncontrollable nuisance algae probably, which will cover all the nice live rock that you bought instead of the RO unit.
I bought the $100 RO unit from the auction site 2 years ago and it works like a charm. you can also buy baserock from Hi Rocks for $1/pound shipped. then get about 20 or 30 pounds of live rock. this should come up to $300-$400 total for all items. honestly, if you can't afford that, you may have picked the wrong hobby.
 
spectre879

spectre879

Member
Sorry I havent been around to answer my own thread. For those of you who asked, I live in the northern Kentucky area. For the other comments, my plan was to change an already well established FO tank into a reef one. I use tap since it's all I have avalailbe. I do use de-chlorinator and will be going out for PRIME soon, I think petstop sells it. :notsure:
I'm on a budget so I am trying to make a choice on what is more practicle first. Live rock, even just alittle is expensive. so are RO units. Like I said, I have no interest in lugging water jugs. Over time the price of water, gas and other resources would excede the overall cost of a RO unit.
It makes much more sence to buy one then constantly rebuy water.
 
spectre879

spectre879

Member
Also. Its not that I cannot afford this hobby. I love this hobby. I always have and always will. But this began as an impulse buy as my father wanted a saltwater tank to compliment a bar and pool table-room in our basement. I told him it was a pricy undertaking but he never really understood how expensive it would be. Like stated, I love this hobby. In away it though, it guilts me to think that we inadverdently we are responsible for the capture and condemtion of these magnifisent creatures. The only peace I can make with this is that somehow I can provide a comfortable and respectable enviorment for these creatures to live out their days in. But its very difficult to do so when I am GIVEN a budget. Its incredibly frustrating!!
 
pontius

pontius

Active Member
Originally Posted by Spectre879
Also. Its not that I cannot afford this hobby. I love this hobby. I always have and always will. But this began as an impulse buy as my father wanted a saltwater tank to compliment a bar and pool table-room in our basement. I told him it was a pricy undertaking but he never really understood how expensive it would be. Like stated, I love this hobby. In away it though, it guilts me to think that we inadverdently we are responsible for the capture and condemtion of these magnifisent creatures. The only peace I can make with this is that somehow I can provide a comfortable and respectable enviorment for these creatures to live out their days in. But its very difficult to do so when I am GIVEN a budget. Its incredibly frustrating!!
guilty for what? fish kept in well maintained tanks are often better off and live longer than they would in the ocean, where most popular aquarium fish are prey. secondly, many of the fish that you buy in a store are tank raised and would likely not survive in the ocean to begin with.
 
saltwater8

saltwater8

Member
Originally Posted by Pontius
guilty for what? fish kept in well maintained tanks are often better off and live longer than they would in the ocean, where most popular aquarium fish are prey. secondly, many of the fish that you buy in a store are tank raised and would likely not survive in the ocean to begin with.
Ummm, no...
No matter how you look at it...
:happyfish
 
spectre879

spectre879

Member
Not true. Most marine species will not breed in captivity. Reasons are not fully understood but some inquire that it has to do with seasons and biological timing. All biotic things in nature run on a biological clock, including you. All biotic things also rely on anbiotic things in nature to perform tasks, some things that either can't be replicated in captivity or are just plain unknown. Take a look at SWF's fish list. Most of the fish are listed under the wish list catagory. Thats because these fish have to be harvested in the wild and then transported to a wholesaler. Take the Long Nose Butterfly, there are about eight harvesting sites located along the Australian coast on the eastern pacific board. Not to mention that the rise in demand for saltwater fish has spured the use of capturing fish using cynide to knock-them-out, making them easier to catch when they float to the top or bottom. Later they die after a quick recovery as the cynide reaches the fish's digestive and liver system. Two very sensitive systems that squeeze evey ounce of usible resources from the fish for energy and metabolism. I may be new to the boards but I am not that new to the subject. I have done my reading.
 
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