Newb has questions - first tank ever.

[tony]

Im really enjoying the depth of this hobby. Any hobby that takes a while to master is worth doing in my opinion. The advice here is outstanding, thanks again.

More questions -

1.) As the RO filter is a bit out of my price range (other hobbies) is it acceptable to just keep buying distilled for water changes? I see the benefit of being able to create my own high quality water, but if a guy is on a budget is h-e-b distilled good enough for now?



2.) Prob. a stupid question, but... is there any wrong way to mix water? I bought some 5 gal buckets and what im doing is just filling them with D/O water, mixing in my salt (using the good old fashioned hand stir method) until I can't "feel" anymore salt. Once I get to that point I just add it to the tank. Is this correct or should I allow the water more time to fully dissolve the salt? Let it sit overnight?


3.) How would a refractometer be used and for what purpose? Does this allow you to actually "see" whats going on inside your water? Basically... a microscope? If so, what are you looking for and why?

i ran my tank on water bought from one of those water dispensers in a parking lot for over a year (windmill) it wasnt perfect but it worked and better than tapwater (IIRC i paid $.25/gallon)

i also use the 5g bucket/hand stir method as well. just make sure that is only thing you use the bucket for

refractometer will give you the most accurate salinity reading. a floating hydrometer will also get you pretty close