Filling A 120

[catfishblues]

I am getting a 120 gallon reef aquarium. My first concern is filling it. Any methods on filling a tank this big with saltwater?
 

 

[Mikey1]

i normally fill my tanks as slow as possible using my python.....a slow trickle....you want to let the glass acclimate to the pressure and temperature slowly.....i think i took about 90 mins to fill my 100 gallon

 

[catfishblues]

Okay thanks. I know that it's recommended to use mixed salt water or RO water and then add salt. Would using tap water be a bad idea?

 

[wildechild_01]

Okay thanks. I know that it's recommended to use mixed salt water or RO water and then add salt. Would using tap water be a bad idea?

I use tap water in all my tanks... Shhhhh..... don't tell.  When i filled my 90G i put the water in and then added the salt to the sump slowly letting it mix in, knowing approximate volume of system started with a lot of salt and then tested SG level and slowly added more till i hit what i was looking for.  
 
The biggest issue with tap water can be phosphates.. generally tap water means more algae in your tank. I am lucky enough to live somewhere with amazing tap water.  so i would say go ahead and do your initial fill with tap water and make decisions from there.  To counteract the tap water you can also look at running a reactor with carbon in it to help remove some of the stuff you don't want.  I run one for about a week every month or two currently.

 

[Donya]

The biggest issue with tap water can be phosphates..

 
Phosphates you can at least remove with using a chemical medium. Carbonates don't really have any similar workarounds, and salt mixes can precipitate out if the KH is more than just a little (which can cause long-term problems that set in slowly). I used to be a tap-only person too in an area with great water...and then my tap KH started creeping up.

 

[wildechild_01]

Yeah if your going to run with tap water it's important to test it regularly I know quality of mine varries through the year with spring run off and such. I would still recommend running with an RO setup, at 120g your best bet for that would be toget your own RO unit rather than purchasing the water. Whatever you end up doing just keep an eye on water stats and be ready to make changes if needed