After three years in hobby, I just got first SPS frags yesterday!

[JLAudio]

After three years, and probably four or five threads about all the pre-requisites to keeping these advanced corals. All my parameters (ph 8.2, phos almost undetectable, nitrate undetectable, calcium 450, alk 9.8) flow(2 power heads, both about 1000 gph) lighting 2 250 mh (phoenix 14k, thanks masterswimmer). I finally did it, thanks to ming and his crazy sps collection
My only concern is that I dont use RODI water, just DI water. I am going to get a TDS meter to assess if this is doing the job.

Heres a cpl pics, kinda basic but I hope to put up a nice contrasting pic in a year with crazy growth, an oh yea I took with camera phone so color is almost not present

 

[ming]

Grow my babies well. And come back for their brothers and sisters if they're doing good!

 

[JLAudio]

No worries, there in good hands, defintly coming back for more!

 

[steveo32]

WOW, that takes a patient and resposible reefer to do that. Kudos to you and good luck with your frags.

 

[Wes]

DI water = RODI water

The RO part just makes the DI part last longer...0 TDS is 0 TDS

My suggestion is a colorimeter for a more accurate measurement PO4.

"Almost Undetectable" doesn't cut it

 

[Lenny718]

Best of luck with your new corals.

 

[tosiek]

DI water = RODI water

The RO part just makes the DI part last longer...0 TDS is 0 TDS

My suggestion is a colorimeter for a more accurate measurement PO4.

"Almost Undetectable" doesn't cut it

Actually the RO part filters fine particles out of the water that the DI resin won't remove.. DI water does not = RODI quality. if your reading 1 TDS your TDS meter isn't good enough or needs calibration. OR your using really low TDS water through the DI in the first place =0)

I hate wiki but in this case it gives a descent enough example.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_osmosis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deionized_water

If DI = RODI quality water then it would be far more used by alot of the people looking to cut corners, thus we would hear that alot more often as advice beeing given on the boards. Even the corner cutters use RODI. :smash:

Sorry about diverting the thread. Didn't want people to take that to heart about DI=RODI quality because its not.

 

[Wes]

You are wrong Tosiek and there are many in the hobby (Anthony Calfo and Steven Pro being some of the better known Hobbyists) who are preaching DI only... but we can leave that to another discussion if you like.

 

[drperetz]

...

totally agree With T.

The DI cratridge isnt able to filter all the other particles that the RO bembraine removes... And there is alot... mostly heavy metals and chemicals to remove them (bromine, also used in the russian prison system and the army to reduce unwanted sexual behavior) Crazy...... And we drink it......

 

[Wes]

quality DI resin removes all of that drperetz...

 

[Petsolutions]

Congrats on your new babies! Getting into something new in the hobby is always a lot of fun, and when you look at all of the frags available from everyone in our industry and hobby, the "life is like a box of chocolates" definitely applies. Good luck with them, it sounds like you have worked hard on your setup and that will take you far.:thrash:

The RODI vs DI debate is one that usually ends up being a giant can of worms in our hobby unfortunately. Deionization is aka demineralization to most folks and the effectiveness of the process varies depending on whether or not you are using single bed or multiple bed setups for your DI.

After 20+ years in the hobby and starting coral frags when I was around 15 (man....that was 20 years ago, I'm getting old!) I've had good results using both and neither, and I've never bothered too much with arguing one side over the other. To me it seems like "your results may vary" will apply when discussing the two perspectives on the topic. I leave all of the fragging to other folks these days, I just have the luxury of buying them to sell on our site, hehe.

John

 

[drperetz]

as it was stated the DI will get very dirty fast, meainng that it will leak out all the unwanted metals...Is this statement correct?

 

[Wes]

drpertz i don't think it will ever "leak out" anything it will no longer purify the tap water when the resin is used up.

Many people have switched from RODI units to thos Kati-Ani DI only units where the resins are serperated instead of mixed together...This allows for an easy DI resin recharge using lye and muriatic acid.

I still stand by my statement that a quality DI resin used properly will produce the same quality water that an RODI unit will...

You guys should read up on the Kati-Ani units a bit. Anthony Calfo apparently loves his...

 

[JLAudio]

Im gonna get a tds meter and assess if my DI unit is doing its job, if not I will hook up a RODI unit. I actually have a 25gpd seachem one, but it needs like a $100 dollars worth of stuff (according to one lfs employee).

 

[drperetz]

wes

if I connect 3 di membranes to a unit, I am sure it will have the same effect as an RODI...

 

[Wes]

I just want to clarify because i think i oversimplified a bit...

I think using DI only can give you good quality water if you are careful about monitoring TDS.

I would not recommend anyone using DI only without an inline TDS meter. A friend of mine uses this unit and likes it alot...

It also allows the use of seperate Cation and Anion Resins so you can recharge them...
http://www.airwaterice.com/product/1DOUBDIDUALTDS/Twin_DI_with_Dual_inline_TDS_Meter.html

It should also be known that I personally use an Airwaterice Typhoon III RO/DI unit and I think it's great. I apologize for hijacking your thread, lets talk about your SPS

Those are some nice frags you have there! Good luck with them.