Yeah, you really should use filtered water.
Your best bet is this:
Buy some sort of reef test kit. You want:
the cycle your tank goes thru is like this:
You get ammonia first
then nitrite
then nitrate
you need test kits for all 3
ugly algae eats mainly nitrates and phosphates
you need a test kit for phosphates
silicates (silica?) can cause diatom blooms, and it's not a bad thing to test for either.
Later on, when you get serious (grin) you're going to need a calcium, alkalinity and magnessium test kit.
Basically, you might as well try and get all those. You have a REAL tank, so you might as well do it right, ya know?
Anyway, you'll want to test the water going into your tank for nitrates and phosphates....those can cause you some serious issues, and really getting rid of phosphates is a constant battle for any reefer....even if it's a battle fought by equipment instead of hard work...but usually, at one point or another, it'll be both.
Anyway, you should really invest in a RO/DI unit. Don't know what you have access to over there, but it will look a little like this:
Anyway, i'm sure you'll have questions, and don't hesitate to ask. I see you have the potential for a seriously beautiful setup, and i'd hate to see you fail because you didn't have the necessary equipment early on.
I started with well water (see picture of hair algae above) and have since switched to ro/di and it's really going away. I buy mine at a pet store, because i only need to do 5 gallon water changes, where you're going to want to do ~20-25 gallons.
Your water could have minute levels of copper in it, which just by using it is going to soak into things and ensure you have problems in the past.
Basically, you always have to remember, you're keeping a big tank of water. You keep that water right, and everything else takes care of itself...except for maybe light.
Anyway, sorry for the long windedness...hope you glean something useful from all that.
Your best bet is this:
Buy some sort of reef test kit. You want:
the cycle your tank goes thru is like this:
You get ammonia first
then nitrite
then nitrate
you need test kits for all 3
ugly algae eats mainly nitrates and phosphates
you need a test kit for phosphates
silicates (silica?) can cause diatom blooms, and it's not a bad thing to test for either.
Later on, when you get serious (grin) you're going to need a calcium, alkalinity and magnessium test kit.
Basically, you might as well try and get all those. You have a REAL tank, so you might as well do it right, ya know?
Anyway, you'll want to test the water going into your tank for nitrates and phosphates....those can cause you some serious issues, and really getting rid of phosphates is a constant battle for any reefer....even if it's a battle fought by equipment instead of hard work...but usually, at one point or another, it'll be both.
Anyway, you should really invest in a RO/DI unit. Don't know what you have access to over there, but it will look a little like this:
Anyway, i'm sure you'll have questions, and don't hesitate to ask. I see you have the potential for a seriously beautiful setup, and i'd hate to see you fail because you didn't have the necessary equipment early on.
I started with well water (see picture of hair algae above) and have since switched to ro/di and it's really going away. I buy mine at a pet store, because i only need to do 5 gallon water changes, where you're going to want to do ~20-25 gallons.
Your water could have minute levels of copper in it, which just by using it is going to soak into things and ensure you have problems in the past.
Basically, you always have to remember, you're keeping a big tank of water. You keep that water right, and everything else takes care of itself...except for maybe light.
Anyway, sorry for the long windedness...hope you glean something useful from all that.
