To RO or not to RO

[macphoto]

Picked up the aquarium and stand today! It's a 90g reef ready that will be a FOWLR. I also brought in a sample of my tap water... they said I've got no nitrates, but about 2.0ppm phospates.

Is this level enough to cause serious problems? I'm considering an RO unit (and, in fact, have plumbing in the wall where the aquarium is, since a wet bar used to be there), but it just seems so complicated to have an RO setup. Plus, I'm running out of room in the stand! I've got a 20 high that will be my sump, and I had planned to add a refugium next to it at some point, but with an RO in the stand, the refugium would probably have to be sacrificed.

--Mike

 

[Mahlhavoc]

Well, phos can be a problem in tanks, as you can probably tell from various posts asking how to get rid of it. With this in mind, RO would be a better way to go indeed.

Might you have the room in your laundry roomfor an RO unit? I keep mine in there with a 55 gal barrel for mixing water and to take up anything I may need in emergency. Just grab a shutoff tee and tap into your cold water for your washer, simple deal. Hate to see you sacrifice a refuge tho, they REALLY complement a tank.

 

[macphoto]

I'm wondering perhaps if I use a phosphate remover for the initial fill, maybe the phosphates that would be added during top-offs and water changes would be mostly taken care of by the algae growing in the refugium? I wouldn't mind a little algae growing in the main tank either, as it would provide grazing material for the hermits, snails, tang, etc.

I don't have an ideal spot in the utility room for an RO and storage container (things are a bit tight in there). But regardless, if I were to install an RO, I would strongly prefer to have it located at the aquarium to facilitate easily adding water to the topoff tank.

I've been studying the stand, and I may have figured out a good place to put an RO unit... mounted to the OUTSIDE of the stand (somewhat hidden, between the stand and the wall). However, these things seem pretty bulky, so it might look obnoxious.

--Mike

 

[macphoto]

Upon thinking about it further, I think I'll go ahead and install an RO/DI. With a little creativity, I think I'll be able to fit the 20H sump, 10 or 15H refugium, AND an auto topoff reservoir within the stand. Well, mostly within the stand... the topoff reservoir will stick out of the back of the stand about 4 inches (supported, of course), but it won't really be visible back there.

The RO/DI will likely have to go, as mentioned before, on the outside of the stand between it and the wall. However, if I downsize the refugium to a 5.5g, I could probably fit the RO/DI in the stand... decisions, decisions!

--Mike