Best tang for the job...

[Myka]

Originally Posted by X-Treme

Tank is 8 1/2 months old (signature), running about 1/3 cup phosban passively in the return chamber from my remora skimmer. Haven't changed it yet, cause it's only 1-2 months old. I don't have ANY test kits YET, (let the flaming begin) so I don't know readings. MH bulb is same age as the tank and it's a giessmann 13k. Water temp is a DEAD-STEADY 78. I use RO water from a bottling company. Been using this since day 1.

I have come to the conclusion that a reef tank is only as good as the amount of money you can put into it. It's a depressing thought really, but it's the truth. Every tank I get has a little more money into equipment, and is a little better than the last. Every time I spend more on a new piece of equipment my tank gets a little better.

Start with the cheapest thing you can do...take your water in to a fish store and a get all those parameters I mentioned tested for you. When you do buy test kits buy Salifert or Elios. Don't bother with other test kits as they aren't so accurate, and are a waste of money.

Next, ask your bottling company the TDS of their water, and the method of purification that they use. When you can afford it buy your own RO/DI unit. You should be able to find one for $140-240. Source water is really important. If you start with something less than optimal, you're starting with one foot in the algae bed!

Also, do you have an old AquaClear power filter, or something similar? If you do, use it to run your phosphate media. Turn it down as low as you can. Use two sponges, and put the phosphate media in a bag spread evenly in between the two sponges. If you don't have a power filter like that, you can buy an AquaClear 20 (mini) for less than $25. It is a perfect size and flow rate (when turned down as low as possible ~150 gph) for running phosphate media.