Help plz got tank going

Brad2626

well got my tank going 40 gal got a skimmer seaclone 100 question how do i know it's working all i have in it is the watter right now i can see foam in the pipe i all so used my tap water )it's well only thing that is in the water is a little bit of iron but my hydrometter it read's diffrent every time i put it in the water is there a reason why ??? one side of the tank reads good and the other side don't?? i add my salt with the water

gm333

As chitown stated in your other post its better to use r/o water than treated tap. Your hydrometer is reading different every time because of small bubbles to get a more accurate reading slowly fill the chamber with water and give it a good couple of taps to release any bubbles that might be on the swing arm. Refractometers are a lot more accurate than the swing arms and are getting cheaper.

Brad2626

mt tap watter is not treated i live in the country (well water) only thing that is in it is iron and not very much of it

Loman

Brad,
Without a complete analysis of your water you can not be sure what all is in it. Most wells have many trace minerals present. In the area where I live most municipal supplies start out as wells and they removed what they have to but still leave too much in the water. For salt an RO system is really the best. Obviously your choice all we can do is suggest

Brad2626

there is stuff you can add tho to fix stuff for the water right ???? or no and should i have the plug out of the air line or all the way down on the skimmer

Loman

The need is exactly the opposite. The water already has too much in terms of essentially polutants in it. You need to remove the trace minerals and other garbage that tends to leach into the water. That is the point of the RO unit and it is much better to try and get the stuff out of the water than to try a alter it further with more and more chemicals. In the long run much cheaper too

Brad2626

now as for the skimmer on the air line should i have the plug out or all the way down --> (tight)

all so the water is murky from the sand how long for it to clear up ??

Chitown1

For the skimmer, close the valve until the water level is 1/2-1" below the collection cup, that should resolve your issue, as for the murky water, it should clear up in a couple days.

Brad2626

one more thing no to but air in the tank so the fish can live all im useing is the skimmer do i need the other pump i have one that came with the tank but not useing it right now do i have to use it or whould the skimmer be fine