billyjoemac
Member
Using tap water is a horrible idea, especially if u plan on any corals. Spend 120 and get ro/di unit. It's a must!
Diatom bloom crazy in new tank, Live rock......
- Thread starter kendall
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geridoc
Well-Known Member
Here's how you can determine whether you can use tap water in your tank: call your local water company and request a copy of their most recent water quality test results. If the person on the phone says they don't have it, be persistent - they must do the analysis under law. If the analysis shows 100% water, and nothing else you are good to use it in your tank. Otherwise, do not use it, especially to replace evaporation. If you use tap water to mix salt you will have to deal with diatoms and algae, but they are mainly unsightly. If you use tap water to replace evaporation loss, remember that while water evaporates, all of those other things that you see in the water analysis do not. So, as you replace water you are increasing the concentration of other tap water contaminants like benzene (a carcinogen), various nitrogen compounds (directly toxic to fish), etc. This leads to death of the organisms in your tank, and eventually to the availability of another discounted tank on Craigslist as another hobbyist gives up. Don't be that guy:sad:!
tthemadd1
Active Member
I'm a big fan of the R/O system. Get the four part filtration system and hook it up to a two to five gallon pressure tank. Put it all under the kitchen sink. With the pressure tank you can store up enough water on your system for weekly water changes and top off. I used one for years. It was slightly disturbing to see the filters after about six month to see all the grunge we drink on a daily basis.
If this option doesn't suit get a trash can, pump, and make your own water. It's by far better to distill than to use straight from the tap.
We hear time and time again that city water should be ok for new hobbyist, or that they have used chemical products to "treat" their tap water. It just doesn't work for saltwater. The tiny micro fauna rely on specific parameters to survive in the wild. Constant cycling occurs naturally in the ocean and the bioload is minute compared to the volume of water.
I know it sounds like we are being anal but as you too will see you are creating a biosphere that is always balancing between harmony and chaos. If it were easy everyone would have a saltwater tank. It can be easy if you setup for success and do what is being discussed in this thread. If you choose to go too fast, or do it "your" way your doomed to chasing the issue vs enjoying what you created.
Good luck
If this option doesn't suit get a trash can, pump, and make your own water. It's by far better to distill than to use straight from the tap.
We hear time and time again that city water should be ok for new hobbyist, or that they have used chemical products to "treat" their tap water. It just doesn't work for saltwater. The tiny micro fauna rely on specific parameters to survive in the wild. Constant cycling occurs naturally in the ocean and the bioload is minute compared to the volume of water.
I know it sounds like we are being anal but as you too will see you are creating a biosphere that is always balancing between harmony and chaos. If it were easy everyone would have a saltwater tank. It can be easy if you setup for success and do what is being discussed in this thread. If you choose to go too fast, or do it "your" way your doomed to chasing the issue vs enjoying what you created.
Good luck
chaosfyre
Member
Well everyone, its been 3 months, and the critters are all happy as can be. I haven't seen a sign of any algae, and I even recently (last week) opened up the blinds so the coral could get some more sunlight. I think the tap quality in my town is OK. But I also use water conditioner, so maybe thats it... the sulfates absorb chemicals, and then the bio filter absorbs the bi-product, so it never has a chance to build as long as you maintain the filtration system.
However, there have been a lot of posts of people warning about using tap, so I will keep an eye on things and let you guys know. I thought for sure I'd see some algae by now, but there's been nothing so far. Maybe its my cleanup crew.
If I do run into any problems, I do have the osmosis water in my lab at work to fall back on. However, hauling it from the 4th floor at work to home would be an adventure, to say the least. At least I have a backup plan to fall on. Also, there is a distilled water tap in my sink, like the kind people drink from. I don't use it because the flow is just enough to fill up a cup, but would take forever to fill a bucket. Thats another backup though...I don't have money for an RO but I'll definitely switch from tap if I encounter any problems.
Thanks for the suggestions everyone!
Oh yeah-- and I've had the coral for a couple months now and it has really exploded. It looks great! I don't think it minds the tap at all.
However, there have been a lot of posts of people warning about using tap, so I will keep an eye on things and let you guys know. I thought for sure I'd see some algae by now, but there's been nothing so far. Maybe its my cleanup crew.
If I do run into any problems, I do have the osmosis water in my lab at work to fall back on. However, hauling it from the 4th floor at work to home would be an adventure, to say the least. At least I have a backup plan to fall on. Also, there is a distilled water tap in my sink, like the kind people drink from. I don't use it because the flow is just enough to fill up a cup, but would take forever to fill a bucket. Thats another backup though...I don't have money for an RO but I'll definitely switch from tap if I encounter any problems.
Thanks for the suggestions everyone!
Oh yeah-- and I've had the coral for a couple months now and it has really exploded. It looks great! I don't think it minds the tap at all.