A college student's move to saltwater....

[incysor]

If you're on a campus you might be able to get it from a lab. If they have filtered water in the caf, or dorms it may be RO, or RO/DI water. My office has RO filtered water in the breakrooms.

Some grocery stores sell it. You have to read the labels carefully though, and look for reverse osmosis at the very least. Distilled is not the same thing as deionized.

Most fish stores that have a marine dept. have an RO/DI system and will sell you both salt and RO/DI water. Most decent tropical fish stores would be able to sell you the RO/DI water. Usually for about a buck a gallon for salt and a bit less for RO/DI. Petco, and Petsmart, and any other major chain, doesn't count.

Some folks have had good luck with watermill machines. I've used them without issues, but there is the risk that they aren't being serviced the way they should be, and folks have gotten aglae blooms from using them.

B

 

[Nadia0201]

You can also use tapwater as long as you add something like AquaClear(at petstores for about $4-5).

2 fish should be okay, although obviously it will be more work to keep the water clear.

I was told by several LFS that 2 clownfish are fine in a 5 gallon tank as long as they are purchased small. That way they most likely will not grow to there full potential. Should they outgrow the tank you could either upgrade your tank or return them to your LFS.

 

[r00onmac]

aahhhh aquaclear i have because of my freshwater tank.... and tons of it.. (i used to have oscars so i did a water change like once a week)

 

[incysor]

You can also use tapwater as long as you add something like AquaClear(at petstores for about $4-5).

2 fish should be okay, although obviously it will be more work to keep the water clear.

I was told by several LFS that 2 clownfish are fine in a 5 gallon tank as long as they are purchased small. That way they most likely will not grow to there full potential. Should they outgrow the tank you could either upgrade your tank or return them to your LFS.

Actually additives like aquaclear or all the different dechlorinators are not a particularly safe way to go when it comes to saltwater, and especially reef tanks. If you're using well water you're water might be clean enough to get away with it, but most cities put lots of additives in the water, and additives simply can't neutralize all of them. Lots of folks have fought algae for months before having to break a tank down let everything die on the rock and start over because they've tried to use tap water with additives to clean it. Freshwater is a lot more forgiving than saltwater in this regard...Well this and lots of others actually.

B

 

[r00onmac]

well what do you suggest then? deionized drinking water? the tank has been up a day or so and already i can see minor evaporation cuz i have no lid... any ideas?

 

[r00onmac]

nm didnt see your post above... ill try a LFS that isnt petco or petsmart lol.. how long can i keep salt or RO/DI water in bottles or a bucket? i have lots of space under my bed (but thats about hte only place) and i could prolly keep like 30 gallons there easy...

 

[djconn]

I've stored my topoff RO/DI water for up to one month in an airtight bucket or container with no problems. I'd give it a good shake or even throw in a PH for a couple minutes before using it. Keep it out of sunlight and heat.

Most Walmarts have Windmill machines. RO water usually goes for about 30 cents per gallon. I've been using those machines for about 2 years without a problem.