thanks Sandbag, FYI, I have on the site that I do plan on a 2nd powerhead,
will get it later this week. I know my lack of the sump and skimming is
rather controversial but I've done some reading and have personally seen a
few big, beautiful and thriving tanks without them and I'm out to test it on
my own. I'm keeping close watch with test kits and do use a few chemicals
as noted originally. I'll be posting here how things proceed.

So far the hermits and snails are doing ok and seem happy. You're right,
before I ever toss more money, I do a lot of research.

Take care,
Bryan


"Sandbag" wrote in message
oups.com...
I buy store water because the amount I need compared to the cost of
RO/Di was to much. It may not be in your case. I got my first one for
130$ then upgraded after I moved and started using a larger sump.
www.airwaterice.com. Yes this has to be hooked up to the pluming. There
is a sadle tap for the main water and a drain valve for the RO
rejection. Buy the mini reef keeper model with a storage tank and
always, always fill your bottle up in the sink NOT on the FLOOR. It
trickles when you are watching it but a whole lot more seems to come
out when you are not watching it.

Dont worry about the time you are changing your water for
circulation.Unless you are taking hours..bad.. than there is nothing to
worry about.

Use on the the squeeze bulb siphons for the uphill battle. I used
chairs to make the siphoned water move faster over front of the tank.
http://www.petdiscounters.com/produc...cat=799&page=1

Then I got smart. I have a 35 gallon rubbermaid in the garage. I dump
all of my water in the tub, remixed and heated. Then I used a powerhead
with a line right into the tank.Works much fatser and no dripping on
the carpet. When you do this make sure you hold the line above your
head to make sure no stagnant water stays in the tube or gushes out
when puttin it away. As always watch out for the reverse siphon. NEVER
leave a tube from you tank to anything unless you are doing something
with it. Make it like painting..dont do anything other than this once
you get started.

BTW i just visited your site....No sump, No protien skimmer, and 1
power head. If you really want to have corals you need to read up on
the advatanges of circulation, aireation, and skimming. Also chemicals
and tesing are essential to starting a tank. This is a great forum for
questions but readup on the essentials before thowing money at your
tank. This can be a rewarding hobby and it can also be a depressing one
as well.
Patrick