Top off

[the_bandit]

It seems like I am putting alot of top off water into my aquarium. I go through about 5g a week in top off alone. Its a 40g with a 20g sump. The water only shows that it has evaporated in the chamber where the return pump is. Is this normal or no? My top off water is conditioned tap water from my faucet.

 

[mkroher]

Originally Posted by The_Bandit
http:///forum/post/3168827
It seems like I am putting alot of top off water into my aquarium. I go through about 5g a week in top off alone. Its a 40g with a 20g sump. The water only shows that it has evaporated in the chamber where the return pump is. Is this normal or no? My top off water is conditioned tap water from my faucet.
right, you should only see the water level drop in the pump chamber if you have a sump. I top off about a gallon a day.
You don't have an RO/DI system?

 

[the_bandit]

Sadly no. But my water has to be clean. In my previous tank (first tank, diaster tank) I used unconditioned tap water for everything. No die off which was suprising and I put a ton of different things in there that I shouldnt have. I do let the water sit for at least 24 hours. Have been using it for 6-8 months with no ill effects Ive been using it on my reef that has 50 +/- corals

 

[mkroher]

Originally Posted by The_Bandit
http:///forum/post/3168842
Sadly no. But my water has to be clean. In my previous tank (first tank, diaster tank) I used unconditioned tap water for everything. No die off which was suprising and I put a ton of different things in there that I shouldnt have. I do let the water sit for at least 24 hours. Have been using it for 6-8 months with no ill effects Ive been using it on my reef that has 50 +/- corals
Well, tap water conditioner's main objective is to remove chlorine in the water. Chlorine kills beneficial bacteria.
Wait.... do you have well water? Because that's completely different than city water.

 

[the_bandit]

Is there anything else I can add to the water, chemically, that will help "clean" it?
And Im not sure if I have well water. Not sure of the difference.

 

[mie]

Well water comes from the ground on your property via a pump. Trust me you would know. If funds are there I would invest in a basic ro system.

 

[the_bandit]

I have city water. Just asked.
What is the maintence like and what do I need to replace? I know you have to have new cartridges and such. How do you set it up? Any info on them would be nice.
Would an RO unit be good or do i NEED an RO/DI unit?

 

[mie]

Membranes once every 2 years.
Filters once every 6 to 9 months.
Ro/di prefered but ro is fine.

 

[the_bandit]

What is the cost difference between the two?
And for installation I know you can put it under your sink but is that the only place you can put it? I'd like to put it in my bathroom which is right next to my room with my tanks.

 

[mie]

You can put it anywhere you want. Just length of tubing. The cost difference is 15 dollars.

 

[the_bandit]

Im looking at a 5-stage Reverse Osmosis De-Ionizing filtration system for $169.99. Is this a good choice and cost?
And what is GPD? What is it used to measure?

 

[flukes]

GPD= gallons per day

 

[the_bandit]

If it is GPD does that mean how much water it can produce in a day?

 

[the_bandit]

Back to my original question, this is not excessive? I feel like im dumping alot of fresh water into a saltwater tank. This doesnt cause harm to anything or lower salinity or mess with parameters?

 

[mkroher]

Originally Posted by The_Bandit
http:///forum/post/3169063
Back to my original question, this is not excessive? I feel like im dumping alot of fresh water into a saltwater tank. This doesnt cause harm to anything or lower salinity or mess with parameters?
only the water evaporates, the salt stays behind. so the salinity raises slightly as it evaporates. When you top off, you bring the salinity back down to where it's supposed to be.

 

[suv]

Originally Posted by The_Bandit
http:///forum/post/3169063
Back to my original question, this is not excessive? I feel like im dumping alot of fresh water into a saltwater tank. This doesnt cause harm to anything or lower salinity or mess with parameters?
I go through 2-3 gal. a day depending on the weather in a 90gal. tank w/ a 20 gal. sump. So 5 gal a week dont sound to bad.

 

[xcali1985]

Get an auto top off and don't worry about it anymore. Just put one on my tank and now I refill the reservoir once a week.

 

[calbert0]

HA. After adding Metal Halide and cooling fans to my 29 gallon reef with 20 gallon sump, i have to top off about 2 gallons in the morning, and 2 gallons at night.
The level of evaporation is ridiculous but i have no heat issues.