help with FW topoff

[asharp13]

i am realizing that there is never enough to learn about maintaining a SW reef tank. recently, i have had an enormous algae bloom and have learned that a big component of that is phosphates...among other things haha but heres my dilema:
being summer...i must keep a fan on my tank to maintain the right temperature. the fan has been evaporating a ton of water from my 24g nano. in the past i have just added tap water to get salinity levels back in range but the phosphates from the tap water is why i have the algae problem.
what is the best way to get good freshwater without spending a bunch of money?? Can i buy a couple gallons from the LFS and store it?? Will the fresh water go bad like salt water losing its pH?? Is bottled water a viable option or is that just as bad as tap water??
any suggestion would tremendously help me to get my tank back on track
thx!!

 

[jackri]

You can get a plain RO filtration system fairly cheaply on line (I would go online over the ones in stores as I think most of the time you get a better product and price).
You might spend 60-80 bucks but in the long run it'll be a lot less hassle and pay off in the end.
I'd go an extra 30-50 bucks and get the RO/DI unit though.

 

[king_neptune]

Phos/Carbon reactor for about $60 at bulk reef.
Turf/Algae scrubber for about $30 in parts you can pick up at home depot.
Emerald crabs are pretty good algae eaters. Or snails if you got it on the glass.

 

[king_neptune]

But the best solution is deffinatly the RO-DI unit. I payed $99 for mine. gotit on theebay. 0ppm money back garurontee

 

[aquaguy24]

Back about 3 years ago when I didn't have an ro/di unit yet. I used RO driking water from walmart. It's pretty cheap but I rather pay like $150 one time for a ro/di unit and not have to lug around gallons and gallons every week.

 

[king_neptune]

that is a good alternative. about .27 a gallon if i remember right

 

[jackri]

You're also assuming their filters are clean at walmart -- not saying they aren't but no way to tell for sure without testing.

 

[flower]

Wal-mart sells RO (reverse osmoses) water in 5g jugs for $1.65...you have to purchase the jug for $12.00..you can refill anytime for the $1.65 with a small tank like yours, that would be the way I would go.

 

[nycbob]

ro/di unit is the best. if not, try the tap water filter for $40, which hooks up to ur faucet. the tap water filter for fish is sold under many fishstore web sites.

 

[ophiura]

What are you using to make your SW?
If you are buying it...
Then it is definitely cheaper to get an RO/DI over the long run. Otherwise, yes, you can get a 5g bucket and store it with a tight lid. Or you can buy it from the store (buy RO/DI not mineral or spring water). I do not recommend a tap water filter alone, personally.