Honest opinion
- Thread starter Dean
- Start date
i beleive most peole would say yes. i have about a 30 minute drive to inland aquatics so its not been a big deaal for me. i dont even know how much an ro unit is.
To clarify first, I've always marched to a different drummer. I do things different than most.
I do tanks in 3 counties, in 8 cities with at least 4 different water sources. I use tap water in all my tanks. Test your water or better ask your water company for their test results. They are required by law to give you a copy. If there is something out of wack or readings too high; then use RO/DI water.
I do both salt and fresh water. I spend more time each visit on the fresh water tanks, because I do larger water changes on them. I do not consisder SW harder if you do water changes and keep the water parameters correct.
Ray
I spend more time on my FW tanks--pruning plants, cleaning (I do wish there were as many detrivores available for FW setups), water changes, etc. The SW setups--check the water level daily, clean the glass every other week, water changes every other week (weekly for the 10). Feed. Much easier, much less time.
It does require a bigger up front invesment, both in your time spent researching critters, and in money since there are some equipment differences, and of course most of the SW organisms are pricier than the common FW options. But--I love all my tanks, and wouldn't get rid of any of them. If the maintenance is something you'll see as a burden, I don't see how even a FW tank can be an option.
It does require a bigger up front invesment, both in your time spent researching critters, and in money since there are some equipment differences, and of course most of the SW organisms are pricier than the common FW options. But--I love all my tanks, and wouldn't get rid of any of them. If the maintenance is something you'll see as a burden, I don't see how even a FW tank can be an option.
Ray, I'm currently running without a skimmer. I'm curious about your tanks. Do you get "scum" on the surface of your water? I've really been building up quite a bit. I do water changes, which seems to help, but it seems to be right back a few days later. Just curious. I've ordered a surface skimmer for my Fluval but didn't know how you handled yours. thanks.
if your going fowlr, then then you cna use the standard light that come on a tank. the only time you need to get better lights is if you decide to get corals, clams and anenomies. when i get scum on the surface of my tank, i skim it with a large cup with a coffee filter in it and a hole cut out in the bottom. i have had to do this about once a month.
Back to the original question posted:
I think the work isn't much harder than a FW, but there is a lot more knowlege needed to do it. There was so much I needed to learn to get my tank up (no fish yet.) And if you do it wrong, you're out a lot more $$
I think the work isn't much harder than a FW, but there is a lot more knowlege needed to do it. There was so much I needed to learn to get my tank up (no fish yet.) And if you do it wrong, you're out a lot more $$
Hey Jessie, I have alot of scum on the surface of my tank, can you go into detail a little more on your man made surface skimmer, i'm very interested! Thanks.
