Powerhead?

reefer73

New Member
After 5 years with a freshwater tank I have decided to delve into the world of nanoreefs. Yesterday I picked up a JBJ 3 gal picotobe and some LS. I am picking up the LR from the LFS today. My question is do I need powerhead in addition to the supplied HOB filter (do I remove media from filter?). Also, I want to switch out the 9w lighting with a 1x18w Current USA sattelite. I haven't decided if I want to go beyond mushrooms yet, but if I do will the 9w work? Thanks in advance for any help.
 

proraptor

New Member
Mushrooms will live almost anywhere....Im sure the 9 watt will be fine for them, Zoas will probably do ok too. Now if you want to keep anything else Id look into that 18 watt kit you are talking about
 

reefer73

New Member
Thanks for the help. I have another stupid question though. What's difference between RO/DI and distilled water, and can I use the filtered water from my tap? I have one one of those brita deals on my tap. Or should I just buy pre mixed water from the LFS (Tong's in Whittier)?
Thanks
-Mike
 

JeffDubya

New Member
As a starter who is having issues with water from the tap... take my advice and buy the RO/DI water. If I had, I would be a lot farther along and would have far fewer issues that I still need to fix.

That, and buy an RO/DI filter. I ordered mine yesterday. In the grand scheme of things, they really are NOT that expensive.

I would also really recommend buying a refractometer and staying away from the traditional hydrometers. After all, a huge component of what we do is about the water. The more acurrate your readings, the better off you'll be.
 

proraptor

New Member
Like JeffDubya said do it right the first time and buy a RO/DI unit...Sure you can buy water from Tongs but they dont always change their RO/DI filters like they should and Ill bet their water doesnt test at 0ppm.

You can buy pre-mixed water also but I dont trust the cheaply paid workers there...I once bought some pre-mixed water and didnt check it and it was like 1.035 and almost all my corals started to bleach...I now mix all my water myself using my own RO/DI unit and Tropic Marin.

The refractometer is also a must have IMO
 
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