[Kittysnax]

Ok so i was out diggin around in the shed when I came across this lil beauty my dad had for his old reef tank:
Kent Marine Maxxima Hi-S:

• 4 stage RO/DI unit with clear canisters
• Hi-S High Silicate Removal membrane
• 1 micron sediment filter
• Solid block carbon prefilter
• High Silicate removal dual stage deionization cartridge that color indicates as the resin exhausts
• Also includes a 3/4 inch garden hose adapter and 6 feet of yellow, blue and orange tubing

So I decided to take it down......it still had water in it, sitting for a good 6 years. I decided to take it apart and clean it cause obviously I will need new filters (yuck). 2 of the 3 canisters came off with minimal effort, but the third is just...stuck. Does anyone have any tips to help unscrew it? It has zero build up on ANY of the parts. Just looks like clean water with a teeeeeny bit of green algea in one canister, other than that it is pristine. Could it possibly be that it is rather chilly out today? I think the high is/was like 65?

Also, if there is anyone in the Houston area that wouldnt mind a n00blet askin questions I'd love to meet you! Im in baytown myself and am lookin for some people who share some of the same interests as I do since the husband doesnt seem to care about "stupid fish and plants" lol! Just really lookin for someone who doesnt mind friendly banter or would like to go flora/fauna shopping at the LPS's every blue moon. (Mom says I need friends hurr hurr) Im 22 and married so I'm not looking for a "Romantic Interest". (I grew up online and if I dont put that I tend to get a buncha weirdos, and I dont know the forum community here very well yet so...LOL)

Anywho, ANY help is appreciated!
Love, Kitty

edit: Do I even NEED RO/DI for a freshwater Planted Tank? More than likely low-tech graduating to high/medium later on?

 

[HoustonFishFanatic]

I guess a RO unit can come in handy if you want to try some Erioculons,Syngonanthus etc. If you are using Aquasoil you can even get by without an RO unit for most of the commonly available plants. There are quiet a few people here from H town hope they will chime in. I hope you already know about Fish Gallery, City pets , ADG etc.

What size tank are you planning on?

Bhushan

 

[Kittysnax]

I havent been to City Pets in YEARS! Is that the one off Fondren? ;3 I think J&J or somthing was where my dad used to frequent for his reef supplies, but I cant remember. :<

The husband finally broke down and agreed to take me tank shopping for a smaller tank this coming Friday. I was honestly looking for a kit, because most of the hard-core stuff I own was for huge reef tanks and cichlid colonies. Plus, Im on a budget...darn u, men! lol! There are two tank kits I have boiled down to and it will either be:

70$ sale @ petco: Aqueon 20G Deluxe Kit -
Includes power filter, fluorescent light hood, heater, food and more.

125$ sale @ petsmart: http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3804651 (petco had this for 140$ as a bowfront, I hope this one is a bow)

It will all be low tech and will gradually get better. Xmas sales are just really good, and he didnt wanna spend over 150$ right now. With my bday in march though, I hope to have CO2 by then. Really all i know right now is that I want one of those 2 tanks, and eco-complete black...I wouldnt have a single problem if it was saltwater or just a plain fishtank, but I have never had a freshwater planted tank, plus I have been out of the hobby for 6/7 years now. :/

 

[HoustonFishFanatic]

Yes, that is the one off the intersection of Beechnut and Fondren. The kits are alright but the light they come with will most probably have a 15 W florescent lamp which will be really low even if you want to go for a low tec tank. You will also need a better filter than the one which is generally included in these kits. If you are ready to spend the price mentioned on the petsmart package you can easily get a 20 L with a Coralife T5 and an Aquaclear HOB filter with some change left over. I don't think you really need a heater down here unless you let the temperature of your house go to 65°F.
On the substrate I would recommend getting Aquasoil instead of Eco. It is actually cheaper if you go by the volume plus it easily available at City pets at comparable price.

 

[Kittysnax]

Yes, that is the one off the intersection of Beechnut and Fondren. The kits are alright but the light they come with will most probably have a 15 W florescent lamp which will be really low even if you want to go for a low tec tank. You will also need a better filter than the one which is generally included in these kits. If you are ready to spend the price mentioned on the petsmart package you can easily get a 20 L with a Coralife T5 and an Aquaclear HOB filter with some change left over. I don't think you really need a heater down here unless you let the temperature of your house go to 65°F.
On the substrate I would recommend getting Aquasoil instead of Eco. It is actually cheaper if you go by the volume plus it easily available at City pets at comparable price.

Actualllllllllllly.....my room is preset for 65 in the summer, 70 in the winter. (My hairless cat wears clothes and stays in bed during the winter:hihi So I will be lookin into a heater.

I was def looking at getting a t5 bulb. I have a old t8 fixture left over that used to be suspended from the ceiling for my dads reef tank, but I am pretty sure it is 4 ft and uses like 60$+ bulbs 0_o. That said, Im not hanging it up in my room! lol!

As for the filter, it would really just have to get me by until March...I have never used a canister filter and swore I never would when I was growing up, but I think I'll have to break down and go with a Eheim 2213 later on.:icon_roll

And the substrate, I decided eco-complete because I have read about Aquasoil dusting up a storm, plus I liked the texture and color of Eco-Complete.

As for plants, I honestly have no idea, but the more I read the more people say that you should throw a few cheap quickgrowers in there when you first set it upto start off the cycle and maybe even cut the cycling time shorter.

I really hate that petco/smart doesnt have any of thier stuff labled. "Asst. Freshwater Plants" does me zero good. Honestly if my husband wouldnt make that god-awful "siiiiiiigh" when I ask him to take me places, I'd just saddle up and go down to citypets, but with him working 40+ hour weeks during xmas-time Im lucky if he can drive me 20 miles from home! LOL!

 

[HoustonFishFanatic]

Just remember that you will save a lot in this hobby if you buy the good quality stuff right from the start. You could also check out HoustonFishBox you can buy a lot of used stuff from local people there. I have seen used 2213 go for like 40$.

 

[Kittysnax]

lolthnx, new place to register xP