Tap Water VS RO/DI Water

[a9reef]

So i'm debating whether or not I should switch over to RO/DI water and wanted to take a poll to see how many people are using tap compared to RO/DI. Has anybody out there been able to keep a successful tank with good tap water? If they have, how are they doing it and how are they preparing the tap water before they introduce it into the tank?

Any help would be greatly appreciated! :bagfish:

 

[Wes]

Tap water is a bad idea, period. You may find someone who is successful with tap water but they are the exception.

Also "successful" is a relative term. Some people claim to be successful with whatever method but their tank looks like pooh IMO.


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[32Bit_Fish]

I think tap water is fine for a fish only tank. but not for a reef tank.

The TDS reading for my tap is 35 and I'm still using a RO/DI unit, keep the algaes at bay.

 

[JimmyR1rider]

Tap water is a bad idea, period. You may find someone who is successful with tap water but they are the exception.

Also "successful" is a relative term. Some people claim to be successful with whatever method but their tank looks like pooh IMO.


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++1- there are a few people that have good enough tap to do it- but why take a chance that yours is not. RO/DI units are still being produced and sold in large numbers- theres a reason for that- they work. Good luck and hopefully whatever unit you choose to go with if you descide to works well for you.

 

[a9reef]

yeah.. my tap is reading 30ppm on my handheld tds meter

any people out there who are pro-tap? anybody?

 

[House of Laughter]

yeah.. my tap is reading 30ppm on my handheld tds meter

any people out there who are pro-tap? anybody?

Good luck with that!

There are a few people in your area who run dual DI resin or kati anti systems (basically the same), but thier output is still zero -

:turtle:

House

 

[saltygeek75]

I run RO/DI with dual DI

 

[a9reef]

where do you guys recommend i get a ro/di unit? any recommendations or things to watch for?

 

[MisterTickle]

Tap Water depends on where you live, I live in NYC, I used tap water in the beginning but started using Destilled water as I can get it for free.

Will buy a RO/DI unit in the future though.

 

[CHEMCHEF]

I used ro/di for a year. Tank seemed good. Infrequent Cyano, hair algae. Nothing to get worried about, always easy to remedy.
I stopped using ro/di about 4 mos ago. No ill effects yet.
I think this all depends on many factors,, (water Quality in your area, age of pipes in house,, ETC.) I also think it matters greatly if you run carbon or not. Carbon removes alot of impurities.
As for copper. There seems to be copper in most reef vitamin products. So I don't know.:scratchch

P.S I also use NSW. right out of manhasset bay, about 20 feet off shore.

 

[CHEMCHEF]

Strange 8 people post but there are 26 votes.

 

[JimmyR1rider]

LOL is a term "in the bushes"

 

[e.muehlbauer]

I just use DI....tank is in fine shape and has been for many years. However, I think DI is only good if your tap water is excellent to begin with.

 

[Reef Greek]

Hi,
Been reefkeeping since 1980. I would only use ro/di water except in extremely limited quantities in emergency situations. Seawater is another subject but you should get it from a clean source and either store it or filter it before using. Manhasset Bay would not be my choice location to collect water as it is fairly well polluted. Many beaches on the north shore get closures and shell fishing bans due to poor water quality/bacterial counts. Why put that in my tank? you can get a good quality ro unit for under 200 dollars compare that cost to 3 or 4 corals or 1 scoly.