Currently water changes means introducing more phosphates and other impurities (non RO/DI) into the tank. It can also be expensive is your using expensive salts. Considering the salt water makes up the entire environment for you animals, I would never introduce a sudden shock of suddenly switching salts.
On the other side of the coin, variety is the spice of life.
[quote=“IanH, post:21, topic:593”]
Currently water changes means introducing more phosphates and other impurities (non RO/DI) into the tank. [/quote]
but water changes also introduce essential trace elements that may or may not be able to be added as a supplement. I have always felt that there is more good to be done with frequent water changes then harm, regardless of source water.
[quote=“IanH, post:21, topic:593”]
Currently water changes means introducing more phosphates and other impurities (non RO/DI) into the tank. It can also be expensive is your using expensive salts. Considering the salt water makes up the entire environment for you animals, I would never introduce a sudden shock of suddenly switching salts.
On the other side of the coin, variety is the spice of life.[/quote]
You can get a RODI for $99 from AIR Water and Ice. I think it was the best $100 dollars I spent on my reef.
You are right variety is the spice of life. Good salts should contain the neccessary elements, just maybe not in the same porportions. I guess what I am trying to say is more expensive does not always mean better, but that goes the same for less expensive. I tend to go with the advice of those that have been in the hobby for a while and have beautiful tanks. I have never gotten a reccomendation for Crystal seas in all my years in the hobby.
But if it works for you that is all that really matters. Truly there are many ways to run a successful reef tank so all we can do is find out what seems to work best for our individual tank.
Cheers
I am in the process of hooking up the RO/DI…just lazy! Ted gave me a deal I couldn’t refuse!
What If the sky is falling? Jon…you are obsessing again.
Im not in love with MEI, I use it because its cheap. got to watch the budget. I was just explaining the quick fix for it’s short comings. as for WHAT IF? well I do believe all salts on the market have been tested and shown to be way off on many of the minor elements of dubious benefit. Surveys of waters on reefs around the world show that salinity varries greatly from place to place, as does content and alkalinity. so shoot for tolerance ranges and be happy.
If you compare water parameters of alkalinity, PH, Ca, Mg and other levels in the RC Tanks Of the Month, you will see a pretty wide range. Im convinced the key resides in the biological happiness of our tank filtration systems, and substrate and water. The salt provides the medium and the light provides most of the energy spark, the biological provides the conditions.
My corals grow pretty much the same with calcium at 380 ppm as at 500. or alk at 7 DKH or 14. although consistantly low PH should slow hard coral growth. Better lighting, spectrum and intensity, gives them the energy to grow and metabolize better. But if the filter is not up to par, the higher lights just grow more gunk which slows the corals down again. so i do believe filtration is key.
Happy water, not so much numbers on a chem test.
[quote=“Gordonious, post:16, topic:593”]
Hey crazycracker when are we going to see a new thread from you in the “Members Tanks” forum. I’d love to see some pictures of what Andy… I mean you have done with your tank. lol 
Jon[/quote]
I am still learning - but w/ the new job @ DPA (thanks Andy) - I will be getting a lot more info & learning all I can - I hopefully will be upgrading to a larger tank (w/ the “wifeys” ok, get a new house, & get married - than the tank) - but I will try to post some pics up over the weekend of my tank but remember its only a 12 Gallon NANO Tank
ok here is the link to my tank pics
http://delreefclub.org/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=28&topic=1265.0