RO for FOWLR Set up

[johnson5585]

I am going to be setting up my first marine tank. I have a 100 gallon tank with a 55 gallon sump. Will be putting a refugium in one of the sump sections and extra bio media in the other(recomendations for extra bio media? I normally use scrubbies and bio ball combo for FW). Overflow drains into the sump via a filter sock.

The first question I have is with a FOWLR set up does one need to use RO water or is that only required if the tank is a reef set up. I will probably add a RO top off system later if I can start without it. As I will eventually convert to a full reef.

Second question is in regards to a protein skimmer. I understand there are pros and cons to them and some folks use and some do not. With the initial set up being a FOWLR set up what are your opinions on the use or no use of a skimmer. I will be getting 100+ lbs of rock and only a few smaller reef compatible fish and maybe a small clean up crew. Will be way under the inch per 5 gallon rule I often hear for marine set ups.

Cheers!

 

[Billy the kid]

Ro water is a need for all saltwater tanks.If you just keep adding salt the salinity will go hay wire,so you have to use ro to replace the evaporated water.

 

[johnson5585]

I understand that you only add more salt as a premix during water changes only as the salt in the tank never evaporates and you only top off with fresh water.

 

[jworth]

reverse osmosis water is NOT a requirement

 

[TangoWRX]

From what I have read it all depends on your tap water. I think for fish only you have more chance of not needing one.

As for a protien skimmer I have also read the pro and cons. I think for a beginner it is advised and as long as you do your water changes it will replace what the fish need. I also think this is debated over smaller nano tanks so for a 100g getting one is good.

 

[MadRussian79]

reverse osmosis water is NOT a requirement

Depends on you water, how often you do water changes and how much water you lose through evaporation. RO is easier to balance and less head aches. I switched from RO to tap for my reef and damn near wiped it out, same for my discus even when filtered. Back on RO and everything is fine.

It can be done without but it's harder and any advice about water should come form someone in your local area who keeps reef tanks.

 

[johnson5585]

Once I switch to a reef tank it will be RO for sure. But am thinking of FOWLR first and no RO. Seems I will be getting mixed comments on the issue of needing to use RO. But thought it would be god to get a number of opinions. Thanks all. Looks like it is leaning towards RO.

 

[BIGgourami]

so long as the tap water is dechlorinated, has nor copper, and is low in phosphates and nitrates (preferably 0) it's fine for reef and FOWLR alike

my tap water has no NO3, PO4, or Cu so all i do is add stress coat to dechlorinate...
though if i have RO water on hand i'll use that

 

[VLDesign]

I never ran RO in the 10 years I kept salt. I ran FOWLR systems.

I also always used a skimmer that was rated for twice the tank size.

 

[jonthefishguy]

I feel I should chime in and shed some light on this issue. I have been watching this thread among many other threads and find a bit of confusion as well as lack of knowledge on many saltwater and reef topics throughout this forum. This could be that much of this community is primarily freshwater with little to no experience in saltwater.

RO and RO/DI water is recommended but not necessarily required for saltwater aquariums. Although using tap water wont harm a FOWLR, it certainly can lead to a bit of issues down the road. This is because tap water has nutrients/phosphates in the water that will help feed macro-algae and other various unwanted bacteria such as Cyano. No matter what chemicals you add to your system, your only going to mask them instead of actually removing them. Municipalities add chemicals in the the water which makes it safe for us to drink but not so safe for living inhabitants such as invertebrates to do so. In regions where copper piping is used, it certainly would be in your best interest to purchase a copper test kit and find out where its at. Copper can be obsorbed in live rock and if the aquarium at somepoint holds inverts and corals, this could be detrimental to them if the levels exceed the tolerable levels. In reef tanks, the level is ZERO.

Once these unwanted bacteria and macro-algae start, it is sometimes very hard to reverse. If you have the ability to purchase and start with RO or RO/DI water, I would certainly do so. RO/DI being the first choice.

Aside from some models being too bulky or at times releasing unsightly bubbles back into the system, there is NO negative effect for having a proteint skimmer. Adding a protien skimmer is a necessity depending on a few various choices. Protein skimmers help remove fatty acids, solid waste, as well as other things before the waste has a chance to break down and become part of the nitrogen cycle.

If there is not going to be a large amount of Live rock in the system (1.5 to 2 pounds per gallon), I recommend a protein skimmer. Never get one that is over-rated. It is possible to over-skim and this can become a problem. Skimmers not only remove unwanted material, but they also remove minerals such as iron, iodine, as well as many other beneficial elements. In a FOWLR, there this isnt too big of an issue, but if the system will eventually be turned into a reef tank, over skimming can be an issue.

Protein skimming can also be avoided if consistant water changes with proper water makeup is done regularly to help reduce the amount of nutrients as well as nitrates.

In the end, I suggest RO/DI or at least RO water in setting up a saltwater system; especially if it is going to be eventually setup as a reef tank. Adding a protein skimmer to the system is also someting i suggest and recommend regardless of how much live rock you have.