[AngelLeah1981]

If I can't afford a ro/di can I just use distilled water? ....just add distilled water to salt and mix to correct specific gravity and make sure the water temp is the same as the aquarium and then slowly add water into tank? How slow? Do I pour it into the sump/fuge instead of the main tank? How will I know what specific gravity to make the replacement water compared to the aquarium water? How do I know how much salt if any to add? Will I need a seperate heater just for warming the water change water up? How much does an ro/di cost? Do you mind telling me the process you go through when you do a water change in GREAT detail.
Thanks a lot.
Leah

[glampka]

You can use distilled water if you can't get ro/di. When making up water for a water change get yourself a clean bucket dedicated to the tank. Fill with water & add the proper amount of salt. Most brands will tell you how much to add. Put a ph & heater in the bucket & let it mix for 24 hours. After mixing for a few hours, check the salinity with either a refractometer (more exact) or a hydrometer. Add salt or water to get the proper salinity. You can add the water to either the tank or sump. A good way of doing it is to pump the water from the bucket using a ph.
A RO/DI unit can be as inexpensive as $99. It all depends on the model you purchase.

[AngelLeah1981]

First of all I just want to apoligize for not getting back to you. I have been without internet for a while. I changed companies for faster service and they took FOREVER to set up. sigh. Anyways, thank you for such a clear direct answer ! What is a ph?

[AngelLeah1981]

Next question.....hmm.....For example: if I remove 10% of the water for water change - and there was already some water missing from evaporation - how would I know how much salt to mix not knowing exactly how much water is missing?

[Waterlogged]

Originally Posted by AngelLeah1981

Next question.....hmm.....For example: if I remove 10% of the water for water change - and there was already some water missing from evaporation - how would I know how much salt to mix not knowing exactly how much water is missing?

You need to replace the water that evaporated with fresh water(no salt). Have a spot on your aquarium that you keep your water level at. Then you can do your water change. Consider buying a quality book.
You can get a RO/DI unit for $100.00.

[davemartin88]

A ph is a power head that would be used to mix the salt and water in the bucket to make sure it fully dissolves before being added to the tank.

[AngelLeah1981]

Thanks !

[e_baer]

I would just start off with an RO/DI unit because a gallon of DI water is around 70 cents. you have a 120 plus 30g sump so a total volume of 150.

.70x150=105 plus water changes weekly or biweekly. In the first 2 months of your hobby, the RO unit will pay for itself.

[AngelLeah1981]

You're right. Ok. Thanks.