Originally posted by CapeFear
:help: I realize that you have to have purified water in order to keep salt water fishes and they prefer a ph of 8.2-8.4. Most people use r/o units and dont those lower ph? What is the procedure for doing water changes and evaporation changes?? Sorry I am just a little confused and a huge noob!
Welcome to the Boards!
RO/DI units are great to purify your tap water. They should make your pH neutral (~7.0). The pH will get in the proper range when you add your salt. The carbonates in the salt mix will keep the pH in the correct range.
Evaporation losses should be replaced with RO water. It helps to have a mark on the side of your sump to help you keep the tank volume and salinity constant.
Water changes should be done by removing some tank water and replacing it with an equal volume of premixed seawater.
