I don't know the why's.... I only know what I was told...... look at any "reef RO system" and you wont' see that extra carbon filter..... it is there purly for taste enhancement of the water...... I presume maybe to add back in minerals that the DI removes for drinking purposes.... you are...
a friend of mine picked up 2 elegance corals at petco about 4 months ago...... $15 for both!!! one died already, but the other looks healthy still and is doing well........
that white chamber on top next to the DI cartridge is a carbon filter for drinking water purification and taste.......... to use it for a reef....... it should be removed.. the last cartridge your water should flow thru before you use it in your tank is the DI cartridge......
I have bought 2 RO systems from that same vendor on ebay so far........ I have absolutely NO complaints....... if I had to buy it again....... I'd go straight to him...
I know I can program that into my aquacontroller...... other than some actual controllers, I don't know of any other way....... if the way your setup works the siphon breaks everytime the pump quits....... I would change the way you have it setup........ your siphon should NEVER break on...
I have to differ on the mag 5........ it's only 310 gph at 4' head....... now take into consideration the bends in the plumbing.... the return into the tank.... realistically that is probably going to end up at more like 250.... I think I'd go with a mag 7..... to end up at approx...
Carbon removes impurities from the water that can be harmful.. Used in excess, or "free floating" it can be harmful, but generally is considered a good thing...
a 175 Halide should be fine for sps and clams... I would stick with Crocea Clams rather than maximas or gigas as they need more...
The 12 gallon aquapod or the 14 gallon bio cube are my favorites... they all seem to have issues with loud fans at some point.... I agree I would stay away from an anemone in a small nano like that... there just isn't enough water volume to keep things stable all the time.. nano's are great...
I have used the jbj autotopoff unit...... works very well...... the only problem I had with mine was finding a pump that fit the job....... the nice thing about the osmolator is it comes with a pump that doesn't put out a lot of flow........ but yet will work at 5' of head.... my...
depending on how high it is...... lower it slowly..... large changes will stress the inhabitants and cause cause problems with them..... even death.....
remember....... NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS FAST IN A REEF TANK!