soft water and topingoff

Emg

Emg

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Jan 16, 2005
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Northeast Connecticut
emgstanks.blogspot.com
I'm in the "Just gotta have a SW setup" phaze in my aquarium obsession.........and I'm trying to think of all the positives and negetives before I just jump right in.

One question I have been wondering about is topping of the tank. I figure that's really important in SW setups. My tap water is VERY soft (KH-60 mg/l....GH-40ppm) I also have a higher PH (7.8) which I believe is good for marine setups. With such soft water will I have an easier time using my tap water for topping off without going the RO route ?

Like I said, just trying to find some really good reasons for going for this and any added issue I can eliminate from the equation is a great bonus and just one more step in taking the plung !.........the RO thing would be one of those great bonuses if I don't have to worry so much about that ! :D
 
Soft water may or may not get past the need for RO/DI. Hardness doesn't take into account the concentration of metals, such as copper, or nutrients like phosphate. The water here is also very soft, but still contains an amazing amount of dissovled gunk.
 
Ok........so RO for topping off......what about water changes ?

If I do a water change do I still need to use the RO ? I'm figuring not because if you are removing water, you are also removing the minerals/"gunk" from the tank as well.....am I right ?


I have this 5 gallon I want to try as a nano FOWLR...I realize that going small makes it that much harder to keep on top of the water quality....but if I'm doing say....40%-50% water changes in a 5 gallon.....twice a week.......will that be enough to increase the probability of success in such a small size SW setup.....and also be able to have..say, one small scooter type blenny and a cleanup crew ?

Thanks !
 
If anyone has any help and advice on setting up a 5 gallon nano FOWLR tank...I'd greatly appreciate it !

I'd like to know if 5 gallons is enough for a small blenny and a cleanup crew......if the tank has LR and LS. What type and size filter should I go with and do I really need a protein skimmer for a tank that small ? Will I need a powerhead...and do they make them small enough for 5 gallon tanks ?

If I do set this up, I plan on letting it run with the LR in it for a good while before adding a fish (that is....if I CAN add one in a tank that small)....I would want to be sure the LR is well cured and there are plenty of little foodstuffs for any critters I add..(shrimp and/or crab)..

Thanks for any help and advice !
 
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You still want to use the RO for water changes--same principle applies, the unfiltered water will still introduce the metals and such that are indesirable in topoff water.

I wouldn't put a scooter in a small tank--none of the dragonettes reliably eat prepared foods, and tend to starve in smaller setups. Stocking is tough, and requires lots of patience. Most of the inverts are easier, since they are also a lower bio-load.
 
Yep. Most of your crustaceans will show up in tidepools, where they are exposed to drastic changes in water conditions, so they have adapted to dealing with swings. Fish tend to go the opposite direction--but there are exceptions either way. Some shrimp are really sensitive to any changes, others are rock hard. If you setup a small tank, and get good liverock with lots of hithchikers, the hitch hikers are almost gauranteed to survive in a small tank. Things like mantis shrimp--anathema in a large reef, are fantastic for smaller tanks (as long as you can clean up afterthem instead o relying on snails and other cleaners).
 
Thanks again OG !

Well, I do have an empty 10 sitting around....(geesh!) I'll just have to move the chair out of the den......we don't sit in there much anyway....lol....

.....oO(I wonder if anyone will notice the new tank)
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