Calcium in brackish or marine tanks

[PufferMe!]

Went to my lfs today. Picked up some snails for my GSP. I always enjoying talking to someone, when I can, to see what I can learn. So, I'm talking to this "new" guy I've not seen there before. He's telling me that with brackish, or if I decide to go marine, I need to use at least a certain amount of RO water! I'm thinking, yikes, I went away from my German Rams, because I got tired of hauling bottled water in for water changes, in order to give them soft-acidic water. He's telling me that our calcium in the water here is like 600ppm and it needs to be at 400ppm. I think he's kind of guessing, but this was the "ballpark" he gave. There is just no way I'm dong a marine or brackish tank, at 55 gallons (which is my plan) and on top of that drag in 5 gallon bottles to do water changes! What is this about??? Is he way off? He kept referring to "corals" but I have no plans of getting corals. He also stated that too much calcium will cause problems for the GSP.

My ph here out of facet, is 8.2. GH is around 10-12. Yes, we have lots of minerals, including calcuim, I'm sure, but is that going to be a problem with raising a healthy, happy GSP?

Thanks!

Gwen

[Pufferpunk]

RODI is best for SW, because it inhibits algae growth. Unless you are keeping corals, I wouldn't be too concerned with calcium.

[RTR]

It all depends on what you intend to keep - basically on what you plan for the tank setup to be. FOWLR +skimmer or FOLR +skimmer + a macroalgae refugium. A true reef set-up w/corals and well-balanced inverts is not the place for any puffer, even SW-adapted GSPs. All the puffers are poor tankmates for the corals and inverts. It is the inverts which require the best mineral level controls, not the puffer. A passive-return refugium is likely the best set-up, as it offers the benefit of mineral extraction of certain waste materaial and promotes production of 'pods as a group which in tirn provide hunting food targets for the puffer while enhancing water quality (and reducing required water partials). But that is not a requirement. FOWLR + a good skimmer is enough, the refugium is just a bit better. Yes, the LR will be richer with tighter controls on the mineral contents, but FOWLR + skimming is good enough.

I would suggest at least RO (and better RODI) for lower maintenance, but I doubt that even your high-mineral water would seriously impact the GSPs health or lifespan. I would never carry the water required for partials. You should have lower costs from a home RO (or RO +DI) over the life of the tank and fish.

Should you decide to do a separate reef tank above a micro-reef, a home RODI unit is definitely more practical long-term.

In other words, +1 to PP's comments.

HTH

[PufferMe!]

No,I have no intention of a reek tank. Just a good environment for my GSP. I'm getting a bit worried about how much water changes (adding salt) will cost me when I upgrade him to a 55-60 gallon. Instant Ocean is $52 for that large bucket (5 gallon??)

Gwen

[Pufferpunk]

If you set it up as a FOWLR & a protein skimmer, it will cost more initially but many le$$ WC are needed.

[PufferMe!]

Okay, it's me again I'm confused about what I need to set up a protein skimmer. I see these clear boxes under tanks, with these "blue colored balls" set up. I can see protein skimmers on the internet, but don't understand how they fit in a tank - inside the tank, outside? What part goes inside etc? Do I need to buy anything else with it etc! If I have a 55 gal and wish to just do a FOWLER tank with a skimmer, what type of skimmer should I buy that is the best price? I'm guessing it does not connect or have anything to do with my Fluval 405 filter, right?

Thanks for any direction you can provide me.

Gwen

[Pufferpunk]

I'd go with a double Backpac HOB skimmer for a 55g.

[RTR]

If you Google Backpac, you will find video clips, including instructional clips from the company.