starting a new tank

[regaltang]

is it better to cycle a tank with tap then do a 100% water change after the cycle or is it better to start off with r o water ...tap water is free ro cost which is better

 

[cedzaquaddiction]

I'd go with RODI just to be safe. It's best to start it off right to keep some nasties from giving your issues down the road. Algae problems are known to be a result of tap water...

Others (including myself) started with tap water with no issues, but if I had the chance to do it all over again, I would've used RODI up front. It would've cut back on my initial water changes...

Best of luck!!!

 

[elfloyd]

yep... multiple answers.

Start with the best water (RO/DI) and keep phosphates out of the system.

 

[ksicard]

I have an SPS dominated tanks, so the chance of introducing a crap ton of phosphates through tap water is not an option in my mind.

 

[cedzaquaddiction]

Good point...

OP: You plan on making this a reef, or FOWLR?

 

[silver surfer]

Stay ahead of the game. Please don't use tap water. What money would you be saving if you ended up doing a 100% water change?