Chicago Tab Water

[Dragonet]

Quick question to folks in the Chicagoland community. Those of you receiving your tab water from the Michigan Lake, did anyone of you use it for your Reef aquarium? I checked the phosphate concentration on a web site and it seems too high to not produce additional algae growth - but than again, someone might have been successfull. Please, only responses specific to Michigan Lake water.

 

[mariner]

I use it for larger water changes cuz my R/O only does 10 GPD. I scrape the glass once a week. Thats about the only problem I've ever had to deal with. It really doesn't seem to affect the inhabitants. I don't do any more that a 15 -20 percent water change at a time.

 

[marklp77]

While I have yet to set up my aquarium - from talking with various LFS in Chicago, one doesn't bother with R/O and several others recommend R/O D/I water. If you decide to go with the latter as I have, expect to go through the membranes and whatever the D/I requires. Chicago water is loaded with stuff...

Mark

 

[Dragonet]

Thanks for the replies. FYI - On a different board, someone recommended a simple in-line carbon filter.

 

[whirley]

I only use RO/DI water. I live in the west suburb. No reason for taking the chance, IMHO.

whirley

 

[AuroraDave]

I used City water for the first few years before I bought an RO. It worked, but in hindsight I should have got an RO sooner. What a difference.
I know a few others that had no success and constantly battled slime algae.

 

[whirley]

IMHO, I'd at least go with a 3 stage RO unit. Sometimes, you can find a cheap used one for around $50.

whirley

 

[Aquatic Noggin]

I was actually going to ask this same question. I just started getting "city" water about a year ago. What a HUGE difference compared to the crap water Bolingbrook used to have. I started my 55g with the new tap water and had no problems at all. I have been using RO/DI for my top offs and water changes but I wonder if I even need too.

 

[M.E.Milz]

I was always under the impression that Chicago tap water was very high in phosphates and silicates, but otherwise ok. I was told that the phosphates were added to precipitate out the lead and other heavy metals.

Did someone say that there is a website for Chicago water? If so, could you please post the address.

BTW, I use a 3 stage RO/DI unit from Kent that is 20 months old. I should probably test my water to see if my membrane has gone bad.

Thanks, Mike

 

[Aquatic Noggin]

Mike, How do you test your RO membrane? I have a Spectrapure and they recommend testing for chlorine. However, the test kit they supply doesn't seem very accurate.

 

[M.E.Milz]

I have no idea. My assumption was to just test the water for things like phosphate, silica, etc. And if the readings are anything but zero, I will assume that the membrane needs to be replaced. A better way would probably be to take a sample and have it tested. But I do not know where to go for this. Like you, I would like to know if there is some other way to determine if the membrane needs to be replaced.

 

[Dragonet]

Here is the URL for Chicago's Tab Water information:
http://www.cityofchicago.org/Water/