best way to start up new tank water?

[dachkie]

Hi , trying to do the tank right from day 1 rather than having to solve issues later on, need some suggestions of the most economical sound best way.

I will list down the pros and cons of what i'm thinking and see your guys's opinion

Tank volume estimated 1000L

1: self make DI water with salt estimate cost

2 pails of salt = S120

DI water cartridge probably 2-3 = $70?

water cost duno

total cost $250?

Pros: cleanest way with no parasites whatsoever

Cons: wait til flower also die liao and alot of work

2: Purchased DI water with sale mix

40 bottles of DI water = $240 =/-

2 pails of salt = $120

Total cost $360

Pros : fast and clean with no parasites

Cons: unknown quality of water and freaking expensive

3: Tap water leave it overnight and salt mix and run GFO to get rid of PO4

water cost unknown

2 pails of salt = $120

1 bottle of 1kg rowa = $80?

total cost $250?

Pros : cheap and fast with no parasites

Cons: unwanted elements in water from tap

4: NSW

delivery = $80?

Mg and Ca addictive = $100?

Total cost $180?

Pros: fast and lazy method, cheap

Cons: fear of parasites and sg water dirty , low salinity , maybe around 1.17-1.20

Pros: cheap and fast

As i am typing this and doing the calculations i kinda answered my own questions but still good to seek opinions

I think number 3 & 4 is out, if there is lobang for good and reasonable price DI water than that will be my preferred choice

[Harlequinmania]

Hi Bro,

Got the same headache like you as well during my setting up, since my tank is about the same volume as yours and here is some of my recommendation and hopefully it helps .

1) Buy bottled distilled water for salt mix for initial setup if RO/DI is a big investment for you.

2) If you are afraid of parasites on new rocks , you can consider using dead rock or "Cook" your rock prior to using it. Do some search here or google it will give you some info on it.

3) On average a normal 4 stage RO/DI will last you about 250 liters before a change. The DI resin need to be change faster, but the carbon is able to last longer.

4) Use NSW to cycle the tank for at least 30 days, so if there is any chance of parasites the cycles will be gone without any host. After which do a major water change with salt mix to bring up the parameter.

5) Consider using artificial rock instead of "Live" one.

[dachkie]

Wow bro thanks for taking the time to type such a detail reply,

I will b using artificial rocks as base mix with lr that has been cooked for 3 yrs lol, so that part i'm not worried, i already has a set of crystal pro from previously just that it takes 1 hour to make 100l of water, that'll take me 10hrs, omg

As for water change i will do a 2 stage cycling, (kiasu)

1st stage cycle for 1 month, during this time no2 drops to 0 , i'l add 1 more piece of market prawn.

There after i'l do a 50-70% water change depending on how is the water n throw in a prawn again if water this time is gd i'l add in corals only, n 2 weeks later then do another 50% water change than add in fishes slowly , super super kiasu

Nsw i am concern of pathogens n parasites as i do not know how well do they filter the water, i know some sellers draw water straight from

The sea immediately n head over to pump the water (yucks)

[KELVINx3]

bro can try using this method. NSW for cycling. use RO/DI water to wash and brush your rocks clean. add them in tank for cycling. then kia su abit throw few market prawn in. 1month and you're ready to kick start. before starting i've change water using RO/DI and salt mix. slowly you water would be "clean"

[johnmariados]

Hi Bro,

Got the same headache like you as well during my setting up, since my tank is about the same volume as yours and here is some of my recommendation and hopefully it helps .

1) Buy bottled distilled water for salt mix for initial setup if RO/DI is a big investment for you.

2) If you are afraid of parasites on new rocks , you can consider using dead rock or "Cook" your rock prior to using it. Do some search here or google it will give you some info on it.

3) On average a normal 4 stage RO/DI will last you about 250 liters before a change. The DI resin need to be change faster, but the carbon is able to last longer.

4) Use NSW to cycle the tank for at least 30 days, so if there is any chance of parasites the cycles will be gone without any host. After which do a major water change with salt mix to bring up the parameter.

5) Consider using artificial rock instead of "Live" one.

Hi Boss,

Any recommendations for bottled water?

[jxlex]

"Life" brand from ntuc seems like a popular choice...

I use it too no issues so far

r,

AP

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[dachkie]

i managed to survive tru 48 hrs of dripping ro-di, tank is finally running but ALAS i got no market prawn at home lol

[inwear]

i managed to survive tru 48 hrs of dripping ro-di, tank is finally running but ALAS i got no market prawn at home lol

Haha... bro you forgotten core ingredient...throw in some pellet food to kickoff as not to delay ur cycle time...it had happened to be years back too.cheers

[dachkie]

i went shop n safe buy a pkt of prawns n throw in already lol

[stevenchia]

wow.. i dont dare to try.. market prawn too dirty..cause water pollution. I thought dosing bacteria can already.. Safe n cleaner way.

[jxlex]

I think the whole idea is to introduce some form of decaying matter to pollute the tank to kick start the bacteria "growing" process.

Correct me if im wrong but without a food source (nh4/no2) excess bateria would also die off if we dose right?

Sorry to hijack ur thread to ask this TS

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[stevenchia]

Yes u are right. thats why for new tank u need to dose more n often. because theres nothing for the bacteria to eat for new tank.

[stevenchia]

and to dose until ur tank is mature enough to do auto pilot.

[jxlex]

Ahhhh.... So they feed on die off bacteria right?

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[dachkie]

market prawn is like the traditional way of kickstarting the cycle, i am dosing bac + market prawn + biopellets, but not much LR in my tank so later going to get a pail of bacteria king for bacteria to live in

[dachkie]

actually this thread is not about cycling, its actually what type of method of water will be best for starting a new tank

[Eniram]

Bro all 3 methods are good way to start a new tank. I used new for my initial setup and slowly converted to DI water from doing water change.

As for introduction of parasites and harmful pathogens, you cannot escape from this problem. When you add fishes or corals, pathogens n parasites will hitch hike into your tank. The only way is damage control.

Also would like to advice on the usage of artificial rocks, due to the nature of it being hollow, it'll trap dead water. Thus nitrate will build up over time. So pls consider twice about using artificial rocks