Good news, but need some advice on new tank setup.

[umbrellacorp]

Ive been contracted to do tank maintenance and new setups for a LFS. Currently the store doesnt have an RO unit. She says they will probably be getting one soon, but for a while ill have to start customers tanks with tap water. I have -never- done this before. Apparently it involves using chemicals to stabilize the water? I just dont think its a good idea. I think my only alternative is to try to talk the customers into letting me purchase distilled water and add it to their tab since it isnt but about a $1 a gallon or so. Ive started a tank with distilled in the past and it was fine.. but i know RO is the best option. What do you guys suggest i should do? Also.. if a tank has already been started with tap water is it okay to begin using distilled water for water changes and top off?
Thanks.

 

[db366]

Why not just buy RO from a grocery store runs about 1.75 for 5 gallons at publix.

 

[siavashv]

Why wouldn't you just invest in an RODI unit? I mean, in the end, it will be worth it, no?

 

[dawgface]

How many contracts do you have lined up? May be worth buying one yourself and charging the customer/store for your service. In the end the customer and store benifits.

 

[umbrellacorp]

I didnt know u could buy RO at a grocery store :-0

Well nevermind then i guess ill do that. ATM we dont have enough customers to justify a new RO unit right away. Trying to build up a bigger client base first. Thanks guys.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

 

[db366]

I have been watching some RODI units on ebay (cheapos) and you can get one for under $80.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/280500946732?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649">http://www.ebay.com/itm/280500946732?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649</a>

[IMG]http://www.ebay.com/itm/0PPM-Portable-100GPD-Reverse-Osmosis-RO-DI-Filtration-/380341933047?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item588e2553f7">http://www.ebay.com/itm/0PPM-Portable-100GPD-Reverse-Osmosis-RO-DI-Filtration-/380341933047?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item588e2553f7</a>

 

[lilrobb]

If MY maintenance company would start my tank with tap - I'd get a new maintenance company...

 

[raz0945]

You might ask her to rethink not having a RODI unit, your city water might be better than the city I live in! I started having trouble with algae in my SW and my FW fish started getting sick. (5+-years ago) I called the water department and they transferred me to one of the chemists-he told me that the area I lived in had a lot of lead in the pipes and they used chemicals to stop it from leaching into the water. He suggested that I use a RODI unit(he did)for his fish tanks. If you use a grocery store, take a TDS meter with you and test the water before you buy a lot of it. There has been a lot of used RODI units for sale here, she might be able to pick up a good unit for less money! I paid $250+-for mine 5yr ago and it can make 75g a day, she would make the money back in a short time also be able to use the water for her fish(it will stop a lot of different problems). Show this to her, it is easier to prevent the problems then it is to fix them after you have made them happen! Holley

Edit:

LilRobb;700701 wrote: If MY maintenance company would start my tank with tap - I'd get a new maintenance company...

+1

 

[schwaggs]

lilrobb;700701 wrote: if my maintenance company would start my tank with tap - i'd get a new maintenance company...

+2

 

[ralph atl]

LilRobb;700701 wrote: If MY maintenance company would start my tank with tap - I'd get a new maintenance company...

:up:

crap that's twice....

 

[tromblydavid]

Sounds like you and your LFS don't have a clue.

Sorry but,
Just saying the truth as I see it. Using tap water is for newbies.

 

[the-bubonic-one]

On "Publix" having RO. They use Glacier water units at the door. Its 30 cents a gal or 1.50 for 5 gallons. I've seen these units opened up. It's a combo of carbon then RO then UV then a second carbon. Never tested the water from them. I guess since they have when the last time it was serviced displayed on the lcd screen . I've never checked the parameters of the water. But I never had a problem using it as top off. I too need a RO/DI unit.

 

[umbrellacorp]

She said she is going to buy a new RO unit soon... but doesnt know when. I might just buy my own and use it. I really like her and want to work for her, but im concerned about starting tanks with tap water. Im going to talk to her more about it today. The thing is, the location is in Griffin..and the people in that area are.. well to say.. some of them arent really into spending much money for their tanks. I know this is an expensive hobby.. but i guess some of them think they can try to do it for cheap. Im going to do my best into trying to talk her into a new RO unit. Maybe we can go 50/50 on the purchase.

TROMBLYDAVID: i dont think you understand the point of this post, i do have a clue. Ive been keeping SW tanks since i was in high school. My point is, i am an employee.. my boss is my boss and i do what she says. If she wants me to start tanks with tap i will, but i was asking for suggestions on getting around that. If we dont have an RO unit, what could i do to start a new tank up without tap water. - One post said they sell it at grocery stores, which i didnt know. Thats an option.. also i never looked into getting my own RO unit because i assumed (we all know what assuming does to people) they were too expensive. If i can find one for a reasonable price im going to do my best to get the store to purchase one. I really really really DO NOT want to start a tank with tap water. Its going to have problems from beginning to end i know. Even with the chemicals iron will still be in the water. So hopefully we can get things set up.

Im going to talk to her more today, i have to drive out there to see a client today anyways. Thank those of you for the positive comments. Those of you that posted the negative comments, i understand why you did but it was unnecessary. I know tap water is a definitely no-no in the SWF community.

peace everyone.

 

[dakota9]

Saltwater tanks can be done for less, but not for cheap. All those bells and whistles cost mucho denero, but but it makes no sense investing in the lighting we require and then cheaping out on the water.

Besides, being a maintenance business, you'd be limited to using the customer's tap water, and you have no clue just how bad that is until you get there...

Edit: I'd like to add that I've done reef aquaria with tap water of 50 +/- TDS, in a tank that received several hours of natural sunlight a day, and had good results.

It isn't just the TDS, you have to know what the breakdown of the
TDS is, as if 10 of the 50+/- had been copper, only the fish would have lived.

 

[raz0945]

Sorry we're not meaning to pound you into the ground-just hoping she would read this thread-it might change her mind/might not/most stores sell RODI & Salt water to their customers. It might bring customers!

 

[hammcd]

i got a spectrapure 75gpd RODI for $50 on the ARC forums last month...brand new filters...so you can get em for cheap

 

[rdnelson]

Here is the portable unit I bought. It is $72 with free shipping and is rated at 150 gal a day. Works great. You can save $10 by going to the 100 gal a day unit. Not trying to be mean but, if someone is in business and a $72 tool of the trade is too much to pay, I don't think they are doing there customers justice. Just my opinion.

 

[ripped tide]

You can always grab an API tap water filters. It is just carbon and a deionizing resin. It would be better than tap, and would beat lugging a ton of water from the grocery store to your clients house.

 

[umbrellacorp]

thanks guys.. i tried talking to her about it again today, but she said october is a slow month so i dunno. I dont want to sound like a know-it-all towards her or anything.. but i just REALLY have an issue with using tap water. I dont even know HOW to do start a tank with tap water. She said you just have chemicals you put it in the water and that makes the water okay. I just REALLY dont want to do this. I might just end up buying my own RO unit.. thanks for the link RDNelson99.. i mean you cant beat $72.00. Hopefully i can figure something out. I spent all day yesterday going around to doctor/dentist/schools with flyers advertising the special we have going on. Thanks for the suggestions guys.

 

[rdnelson]

You are welcome and good luck. Hope it works out and you get more clients then you can handle.