Tap water

[swalke2]

If you were not able to use a R/O RODI system for your reef and unable to buy store bought water, how would you treat your tap water before using in a reef? Is a standard water conditioner fine?

By the By I am using R/O, this is a general question.

Steve

 

[eagleeyemike]

good ? there has not always been RO units available

 

[lilrobb]

There also were no SPS corals in home tanks until about 10 years ago...

If I wouldn't be able to use RO water - I would not try to have a reef...

 

[swalke2]

I am guessing that the Aquarium Conditioner chemicals are probably just as bad as whats in tap?

 

[markl]

LilRobb;602955 wrote: There also were no SPS corals in home tanks until about 10 years ago...

If I wouldn't be able to use RO water - I would not try to have a reef...

I still learn something new everyday.

 

[lilrobb]

Actually,

this might not be true for the US - but a fact for Europe, I wasn't here 10years ago...

 

[gnashty]

LilRobb;602955 wrote:
If I wouldn't be able to use RO water - I would not try to have a reef...

+1

ajcvol2604;602954 wrote: I have always used Prime Aquarium Conditioner when I have to use tap.

In a pinch that will do the trick - Prime is good for its intended use.

 

[jennm]

Seachem Prime (that's Seachem's best selling product, period) or Aquavitro Alpha. The latter was formulated specifically for reef tanks, but either one is suited.

RO is best but it's always a good idea to have either of these products on hand for emergency use.

They will both also bind ammonia, nitrite and nitrate in the event of a catastrophe too. Those properties will still show up in tests, but they bind to the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate and render them less toxic.

Jenn

 

[spiderman097]

The worst things about Tap water are the dissolved metals, chlorine, and such. If there was no other way around not getting treated rodi water, then I would only have live rock and damsel fish. I've always wanted to try the wal-mart water to see if it was any good though tbh.

 

[rskillz]

Just my opinion but if money stands in the way of purchasing a RO/DI unit, then this hobby isn't for you. I don't mean to sound elitist or condescending, because I'm certainly not well-off by any means. But after being the hobby a little under a year, I can speak for just how expensive it is. Lights/Bulbs/power bill/livestock/additives/test kits/Salt/Ro/Di/water bill. I could go on and on.

In a nutshell, the vast majority of newcomers can't cut corners and be successful in this hobby. And if money is the problem, there are a lot of corners that will have to be cut.

 

[coolsurf]

I would guess in an emergency situation only, I would use Prime. Second choice would be store bought if available but I typically would only use RO/DI for both my SW and FW.

I'd rather skip a week and do a larger change than use non RO water.

I do have copper piping so I need to use RO/DI or I risk killing my inverts as well if I do not.

 

[jead85]

The Units at Publix put out 0 TDS typically, I work for publix and the maintenence company is constantly servicing the machine.