[Max Farber]

I'm a newbie and this is my first post. Just purchased by 14g Bio Cube yesterday and am stuck on...water.

Do I use and treat Manhattan tap water? (Probably not, right? High in phosphates, copper, other nasties, yes?)
Do I buy distilled water?
Do I buy an (in)expensive ($150-200) RO filter and hope my landlord approves?
Do I buy and schlepp RO water from my local pet store?

So Manhattan aquarists, what's the best solution?

[bigbris1]

Welcome Max!

Buy an RO/DI setup. It pays for iteslf in drinking water alone.

[KathyC]

Welcome to MR..you've already made the first great decision!!

Bris makes a good point cause once you see what garbage a rodi takes out of your tap water, you'll never want to drink the stuff again!

But...human nature dictates that you want to fill that tank up today..so best bet is to go buy some rodi water from your LFS to get started.

Watch the For Sale thread below for a used rodi, or you can pick one up for a good price usually in Ebay. I have one from Air Water Ice & couldn't be happier with it and their customer service (for reordering the filters).

	Manhattan Reefs Manhattan Reefs, the best aquarium community on Planet Earth!

	RODI High quality filtration systems used to purify tap water before it is mixed with salt or added to the aquarium for evaporative top off. Most municipal water supplies contain unacceptable levels of Nitrate, Phosphate, Lead, Chlorine, Copper etc. It is critical that these impurities are removed as some are toxic to reef organisms and others fuel algal blooms that can quickly overtake a reef display. Again, there are many brands and many configurations to fit most applications.

[bigbris1]

I don't know why your landlord would have to be involved. Just make sure you get a T adapter used when installing the supply for an icemaker to the cold water pipe so the process is reversible.

Also, you don't have to install a saddle valve to your drainpipe if this is a concern, just stick the tube down the drain when making water & tuck it away when not in use.

I estimate that a 100gpd unit makes 1 gal in 15 minutes, so a 14 gallon fill-up should take about 3-4 hours. Not long at all.

[Max Farber]

Thanks for all the kind and quick advice!

Clearly, RO/DI water is the way to go.

Any other recommendations (thanks, Kathy!) on good, inexpensive units?

[bigbris1]

Search ebay, craigslist & reef forums. I found mine (normally $300) for $35

[m'akoyPINOY]

welcome to MR!

	Manhattan Reefs Manhattan Reefs, the best aquarium community on Planet Earth!

[KathyC]

If you buy a used one, you'll probably have to replace all of the filters since you won't be sure of the history..if you get a new one, well, you can see where Im going...
Ideally, try and get one that comes with a TDS meter (either hand-held or inline) as that is the ONLY way to know for sure that you need to replace the cartridges

[Tonyscoots84]

Go to ebay and check out aquasafe units many of us here use em and love em

u wanna find yourself a 6 stage RODI... should come with all the connections you need and a tds meter and sometimes they throw in a pressurized storage tank..

	RODI High quality filtration systems used to purify tap water before it is mixed with salt or added to the aquarium for evaporative top off. Most municipal water supplies contain unacceptable levels of Nitrate, Phosphate, Lead, Chlorine, Copper etc. It is critical that these impurities are removed as some are toxic to reef organisms and others fuel algal blooms that can quickly overtake a reef display. Again, there are many brands and many configurations to fit most applications.

[bigbris1]

PM sent Max.