just bought and used a tds meter - how bad is my tap water?

[90galguy]

I really don't have anything to compare it to, but I just filled my 90gal with RO/DI and its been perfect. I've heard the stories of people using tap water and it just didn't appeal to me.

There is alot of debate about what's the most important part of an aquarium and I would have to say WATER. Without it NO fish or invert will survive. You can run several "add-ons" but without good water none of it will matter.

 

[acroholic]

MorganAtlanta;711303 wrote: In the grand scheme of tap water, 72 ppm isn't bad at all. I've heard of places with 400+ ppm out of the tap. But, I'm not saying to use it in your tank. Get a filter. An API Tap Water Filter is an inexpensive alternative if you are space limited.

72 is still pretty soft. 200+ is normal for many other areas of the country. Atlanta is lucky in that our water is so soft. Mine comes out of the tap at 38 (Sandy Springs). RO Membranes last forever here. One Member has one in operation for 8+ years so far. One standard BRS RODI resin fill has lasted me as long as 18 months between changes, and I make a lotta RODI.

I change my carbon pre, post, and my sediment filters about every 6-9 months.

When I first moved down here from Cincinnati (20 years ago), one thing I immediately noticed was how much less car wash soap and laundry detergent you need to use, as the soap was not having to overcome the initial hardness of the tap water down here.

 

[davidinga]

DavidinGA;710971 wrote: thoughts on this ro/di refurbished unit for $120 (5th one down) -

http://www.spectrapure.com/St_RODI-REFURB.htm">http://www.spectrapure.com/St_RODI-REFURB.htm</a>[/QUOTE]

Hopefully that SpectraPure is good cause I just bought it...

 

[schwaggs]

Some expensive bottled water is over 200 TDS. My tap water is in the 50s here. When I lived in Chicago area, it was 140ish. I just replaced my DI cartridge after 11 years of usage! It still produced 2 TDS water. The only reason I replaced it was the output was too slow...

 

[cr500_af]

My tap water (I have a well) is about 240ppm... bad part? Filters don't last long. Good part? No chlorine (just minerals) so if I ever had an emergency I could use my tap water safely.

 

[davidinga]

How do I find out if my water has chlorine or chloramine?

 

[90galguy]

There are standard test kits for pools that would tell you.