Slowly starting a salty tank

[Andrew_B]

Are there any ro/di's that you don't need to hardline into your waterline? I'm in an apartment so i want to avoid that. Is there one that you can connect to a faucet and just run it while im at work or something and have it fill into a storage tank or something?

[myjohnson]

Right now Im more or less starting a list of equipment that I will need and keep an eye out for. I have the 40g breeder and stand. A 20T that I can convert into a sump. I also have the Koralias and heater. I'm assuming i won't need to use my eheim for anything other than a possible mechanical filtration and water movement.

So a light fixture is the big one. Outside of that is just a skimmer right? Well, obviously there are always additional bells and whistles you can add, but in terms of requirements?

At the most basic level, all you need is LR, heater, powerhead, and lights to grow corals. You do not need a skimmer.

I would get a RODI unit and auto top off before a skimmer.

[myjohnson]

Makes sense outside of the "blubber" part. Do you mean replace bulbs yearly? I can't even find anything on google in terms of blubber for t5 lights, hah. I've only ever used regular florescent t8s and LEDs thus far, no experience with t5s

Lol, my bad. Kindle fire auto correct is super gay.

I meant to say "bulbs".

[johnnymisty]

Ya the ro/Di from bulk reef supply has a fitting for the faucet line but you do have to drill the drain line though no big deal a lil jb weld when your move out and good as new

[Andrew_B]

Hmm, I'm watching some buck reef supply videos on installs of some of the smaller 4stage 75gpd units and they seem really basic. Red line from faucet to ro/di unit. Then the black line from unit into the sink drain, and the blue line into a storage tank. Seems foolproof enough. Even better than we share water bills in my apt, so its rare that its over 25/mo for me.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/75-gpd-ro-di-4-stage-economy-system.html#

[Andrew_B]

So I'm thinking Im going to end up having 2x 20gtall tanks under the stand. One as a sump, other as a storage tank with an auto top off?

[Darbex]

Probably don't need a 20G for ATO if you want to save space get a 5 or 10G. I only have a 30G for my 300G tank.

[myjohnson]

Yup, the rodi unit is that simple! :)

I got a 5 stage from BRS and run it that exact way.

I fill up in my tub to avoid mini floods, lol.

[Andrew_B]

Even better, was trying to figure out how I was going to make a couple 20gals to fit under the stand, hah. The 5/10 gal just needs to fit a heater right? Or is that even necessary?

[myjohnson]

What do you mean? Top off water does not need a heater.

Water changes do....

[Andrew_B]

Ahh okay. I was under assumption that reefs didn't need water changes, that mainly fowlr do

[johnnymisty]

Weekly water changes to replenish trace element used

[Andrew_B]

Obviously not big water changes like FW, on a 40gal, would you change even 10gal/week?

[johnnymisty]

I do 15 gallons weekly on my 65 gallon reef

[Andrew_B]

Alright, thats not too bad. Just need to mix 2x 5gal buckets of water a week roughly for a 40gal tank.