Just curious if anyone has experience with using (treated like a FW tank) tap water- Dekalb County in our case- in lieu of RO/DI or distilled. Seems like we could save some $ and time in filling our new aquarium. I did this in Florida, but I have heard there might be minerals such as Silica in tap water that could cause diatom blooms and other problems...
Tap Water
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We have a lot of phosphates in our tap water. sometimes and in some locations have high amounts of sediments.
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you can also have high levels of copper in your tap water i know here in lawrenceville we have a high level
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Everything you wanted to know about Dekalb's water.
I use tap water, but don't have the issues of algae that everyone claims will happen even though I also get a few hours of natural sunlight a day. I dont suggest anyone try this out of fear of being labeled a hertic, if for no other reason.
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Sal does a 250 gallon change on his 400 every 3 weeks using tap water.
It isn't the expense of RO/DI, its the space and time, mainly space for water storage.
I do use a stand-beside-the-faucet type purifier, but oddly, the tap water runs a consistant 50-something ppm TBS, while the water from the purifier runs 80-something ppm TDS. The purifier is a floss/carbon dual tower purifier, and I bought the one that advertised the best at removing metals. I have 3 green patches of algae growing on my overflow (which I intentionally leave as a visual indicator of the ongoing health of my tank), but none (sparing the sporatic Macros that pops up here and there) in my main tank. I'm happy with the results I get. Because I've been doing this for years, I have a feel for it. No, no amount of husbandry I do is going to take my water down to 0 ppm TDS, but staying on top of maintanance and acting quickly if a problem arrises keeps my tank the cleanest "Dirty Tank" you've ever seen.
I do use a stand-beside-the-faucet type purifier, but oddly, the tap water runs a consistant 50-something ppm TBS, while the water from the purifier runs 80-something ppm TDS. The purifier is a floss/carbon dual tower purifier, and I bought the one that advertised the best at removing metals. I have 3 green patches of algae growing on my overflow (which I intentionally leave as a visual indicator of the ongoing health of my tank), but none (sparing the sporatic Macros that pops up here and there) in my main tank. I'm happy with the results I get. Because I've been doing this for years, I have a feel for it. No, no amount of husbandry I do is going to take my water down to 0 ppm TDS, but staying on top of maintanance and acting quickly if a problem arrises keeps my tank the cleanest "Dirty Tank" you've ever seen.
I think as long as you have relatively clean water going in the tank you are OK with one possible issue. The more the TDS reading the more likely if your tank slips due to lighting changes, water chemistry, etc the more likely you are to slide into a nuissance problem.
I would certainly filter for heavy metals at the least before using tap water in a system.
I am not sure about the space issue either. You don't have to leave your RO/DI hooked up 24/7. As long as you have space to store the canisters themselves that is all you really need. You can always just hook it up whenever you need to mix up some saltwater.
I would certainly filter for heavy metals at the least before using tap water in a system.
I am not sure about the space issue either. You don't have to leave your RO/DI hooked up 24/7. As long as you have space to store the canisters themselves that is all you really need. You can always just hook it up whenever you need to mix up some saltwater.
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That's over $1000.00 a year for salt and not have at least a $99.00 RO.
Is he running a phosphate reator on his Tank?
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Last I saw, Sal had an RO unit and that was about a year ago. Now I do not know if he nixed it or not but he was using one... Also, Sal pretty much has a FOWLR system so IMHO, he can get away with a bit more. Ask him when the last time he check his NO3 was! 
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That I understandXyzpdq0121;118367 wrote: FOWLR system
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