Do I need RO/DI?

[hgsports]

I'm about to set up my first reef tank and have been reading about RO/DI units. My local fish store (2 of them actually) assure me that it's not neccessary have an RO/DI unit. This seems contrary to a lot of discussion boards. I would expect the stores to try to sell me stuff i dont need, not dissuage me from stuff I do....

Any comments would be appreciated!


John

 

[esmithiii]

Have your tapwater checked for Phosphates and silicates. My algae bloom mysteriously went away shortly after switching to RO/DI water only.

E

 

[McReef1]

I would think most would recommend it, especially to a beginner. You will inevitably run into challenges in this hobby, and being able to eliminate a huge variable brings me lots of peace of mind.

Either way, GOOD LUCK!

 

[Anonymous]

I've always needed ro water. I think most successful reefers use it. Anybody here using tap water?

 

[lionfish1]

Yes it's a must, it's part of the equipment you will need to run a succesfull reef tank, first thing you should buy before anything, tap water has 2 much crap in there for these sensitive animals, it was bad enough we had to take them from their nise natural home with fresh sea water, tap water for you and me is fine our systems learned to deal with it, it's different with corals they are very sensitive to water conditions, I used to run a salt water tank with regular tap water always using conditioners and other crap, and still had phosphate problems and thats not good for a reef tank, it will be money well spend, cya.

 

[fishfarmer]

I use well water on occasion, quite a bit of it during the first year of operation. I did know a little bit about the chemistry of it though. I would never use my tap, too unreliable IMO, never know what the water company will be putting in it. I almost always use RO/DI now, in a pinch I'll use the well water.

 

[whirley]

Buy a RO/DI unit...it's DEFINATELY worth it.

The two parts that I'd suggest dumping the most $$$ in is a GOOD RO/DI unit and GOOD LIGHTS...

JMHO...

btw. reefPure is having a ~20% discount till Sept. 29th. www.aquariumwaterfilter.com

whirley

 

[MedicineMan1]

So far I'm the only dissenter here. I DO use tap water BUT I run it through a poly filter and, the last week, a nitrate sponge because I'm having a hair algae problem, despite the massive amounts of caulerpa in my tank. However, I don't always recommend this. My water comes from a limestone aquifer and is VERY high in calcium and carbonates, which keep my calcium levels and alkalinity in tip-top shape. Unfortunately, there are some (0.1 ppm) phosphates and nitrates (1 ppm) in my tap water, hence I use the filters.
The use of tap water in no way has caused any problems for my "delicate" corals. They're growing at a fast and furious rate, some even overcoming recession problems in tanks with too little light. I think so long as we provide our corals with a ball park temp and salinity, good calcium and alkalinity, and excellent light, they're very hard animals!
The bottom line before you use tap water, know what's in it! Your Public Utilities Commision should have that information readily available. Good luck!

 

[SPC]

Whirley, you sure are persistent.

Steve

 

[Brad M]

It's a good idea to invest in one. Tap water contains too many nutrients you dont want going into your tank, causing algae problems.
Good Luck,
brad

 

[whirley]

Well, I've been extremely happy with my RO/DI unit....let's just say, I finally stopped DRAGGING 5 gallon containers from my grocery store!!!

I've watched my PPM in my water go from 175 ppm Tap, to 40 PPM from Grocery store (although they claim it's pure RO/DI), to 1 PPM using the ReefPure RODI.

SO, yah, I'm Extremely happy!

whirley

[ September 19, 2001: Message edited by: whirley ]