Is Tap Water Bad?

clint_reno

clint_reno

Member
You really gave the newbies a great perspective. Control - that is the key to a successful tank!!
When you control your water quality, you control your SW tank!
:yes:
 
nm reef

nm reef

Active Member
Brommers comments were right on track...and his statement is the foundation of why the majority of experienced reefkeepers suggest a quality water source. But those that prefer such water sources normally also prefer to NOT have any potential pest algaes in the display.Our "plant life" friend seems to like the appearence and effect of assorted plant life in his display and thats his personal choice. But there are numerous hobbyists that simply prefer not to have algaes dominate their displays and one of the best methods to achieve this type of display is via a quality water source.I use RO water only and I make all attempts to not allow algaes to flourish in my display...but I do intentionally encourage the growth of assorted macro algaes in my refugium system specifically for the up-take and eventual export of excess nutrients. I suppose either method can be successful...but my preference is to have a pristine looking and algae free display not a modified display that is basically a hybrid combination of refugium/cess pool/reef....based on my experience and the experience of hobbyists I admire I would never suggest the use of tap water and I would never suggest the encouragement of "plant life" in the main display...but thats just me!
 
beaslbob

beaslbob

Well-Known Member

Originally posted by broomer5
My tap water is not the best here. I've tested it, and it's tested positive for nitrate and phosphate.
I can't possibly test it for everything else that it may contain either - so I use RO/DI water.

As I stated Tap water contains plant food (nitrates and phosphates). And at much low levels than comes from the bioload. So therefore it helps establish a thriving plant life ready for the future livestock.
I still can't test the RO/DI water for everything else, but I can test for total dissolved solids, conductivity/resistivity and do my best to maintain the RO membrane, DI cartridge and other prefilter elements.
This gives me the feeling of control.
This in my mind gives me "more" control over the possibility of unknowns entering my tankwater.
...
.
You can not possibly test or know of everything that goes into our tanks. Therefore, it is impossible for any man made system to control those things. That is the exact reason I let plant life control my systems. That is so much more effective than anything man can do.
 
beaslbob

beaslbob

Well-Known Member

Originally posted by Bang Guy
and 4) your stuff died and the stuff from the other tank is still thriving.
But all the fish are still there after I added palnt life.
You are correct some corals have died. With low lights, low calcium, a tang and a coral beauty, it is impossible to blame that on tap water.
Meanwhile crazyreefnut and other report excellent tanks using tap water.
therefore tap water is not bad dispite you extensive efforts prove otherwise.
 
broomer5

broomer5

Active Member
Bob,
YOUR tapwater may not be bad - but in my opinion it's irresponsible to say that ALL tapwater is good !
It's just not always the case.
To assume that ALL tapwater is good is just that - an assumption.
To assume that ALL tapwater is bad - is also an assumption, but one that at least allows the individual to realize that there is a chance that it contains undesirables.
All tapwater is not good.
All tapwater is not bad.
Some tapwater is good.
Some tapwater is bad.
 
reefnut

reefnut

Active Member

Originally posted by beaslbob
You are correct some corals have died. With low lights, low calcium, a tang and a coral beauty, it is impossible to blame that on tap water.
What happened to "BTW my cal went from 250-300 to 400 by using crushed oyster shells in a large filter box." 400ppm is not low calcium.
&
I thought your lights were as good as the LFS lights?? What's happening Bob... starting to see the truth?
 
beaslbob

beaslbob

Well-Known Member

Originally posted by Bang Guy
Why? I refuse to blame it on Algae, I believe an algae refugium is a healthy addition to aquarium systems. You have 30 yours of experience keeping saltwater aquariums so I can't blame it on your lack of experience. You seem to be doing most things well except you use Tap water.
So tell us Beaslbob, why can't you keep fish alive even after 30 years of keeping saltwater aquariums.
Yea i only keep them alive to four years. none have died since i added plant life. except a madrain that got clipped by the CBS.
previous system year ago kept fish 4-5 years.
FW up to 8 years from the original two fish in the tank.
meanwhile bang uses well water and removes 5 gallons of macros each week. And he has kept fish for 7-15 years.
So under the blatantly wrong assumptions that both of our experineces are the same exact experience a newbie would have, the newbie can chose between 4-5 years of fish life or 7-15 years. :D Your system your choice.
 
beaslbob

beaslbob

Well-Known Member

Originally posted by ReefNut
What happened to "BTW my cal went from 250-300 to 400 by using crushed oyster shells in a large filter box." 400ppm is not low calcium.
&
I thought your lights were as good as the LFS lights?? What's happening Bob... starting to see the truth?
:rolleyes:
only three weeks with the calcium over 400ppm. Glad you agree my $10 fix resulted in good calcium.
may still have to upgrade lights.
But with a tang and coral beauty picking on the corals you can't blame corals loss on tap water. Besides bout 1/2 dozen are doing well. :jumping:
 
reefnut

reefnut

Active Member

Originally posted by beaslbob
:rolleyes:
only three weeks with the calcium over 400ppm. Glad you agree my $10 fix resulted in good calcium.
So making that comment without adding "it only lasts 3-weeks" is very irresponsible. Why even bring it up?
 
reefnut

reefnut

Active Member

Originally posted by beaslbob
Glad you agree my $10 fix resulted in good calcium.
Your 10$ fix, fixed nothing. Good calcium levels last longer than 3-weeks... lol :rolleyes:
 
beaslbob

beaslbob

Well-Known Member

Originally posted by ReefNut
Your 10$ fix, fixed nothing. Good calcium levels last longer than 3-weeks... lol :rolleyes:
Well i am up to 4 weeks now :D
 
reefnut

reefnut

Active Member

Originally posted by beaslbob
may still have to upgrade lights.
One theory busted... Several more to go. I hope no one took your bad advise and got shop lights.
 
reefnut

reefnut

Active Member

Originally posted by beaslbob
Well i am up to 4 weeks now :D
Then the death of your corals had nothing to do with calcium... just another excuse to try and protect your methods.
 
reefnut

reefnut

Active Member
Yep, and his calcium went from 3-weeks to 4-weeks at 400ppm in 9 minutes... and was previously referred to as being low.
 
beaslbob

beaslbob

Well-Known Member

Originally posted by ReefNut
Then the death of your corals had nothing to do with calcium... just another excuse to try and protect your methods.
they died before the calcium was up, and some lived.
One theory busted... Several more to go. I hope no one took your bad advise and got shop lights.

If you want to pay $100s for a FO tank then they can.
The story changes every day.

thought i was being consistant. But then you'all want to squezze in any preceived inconsistance to disprove a working system
:D
Yep, and his calcium went from 3-weeks to 4-weeks at 400ppm in 9 minutes... and was previously referred to as being low.

absolutely right. It took about 9 minutes to do another weekly calcium test.:D :rolleyes: actually the last test was 425 but the extra 25 is probably the sensitivity of the test. and it is a titration test.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator

Originally posted by beaslbob
thought i was being consistant. But then you'all want to squezze in any preceived inconsistance to disprove a working system
:D
Really??
Originally posted by beaslbob
none have died since i added plant life. except a madrain that got clipped by the CBS.

So tell us, when did you add "Plant Life"? You've been doing this since the 70's, right?
 
beaslbob

beaslbob

Well-Known Member

Originally posted by Bang Guy
So tell us, when did you add "Plant Life"? You've been doing this since the 70's, right?
in the late 70's the guidance was to let the algae grow and thrive. So the 8 year (6 continuous in one location) tank had a good growth of hair/slime algae. Never have stated that I have been adding plant life to salt tanks since the late 70's. FW yes and it works and with no circulation, no other filtration.
As stated above I added plant life to my current 55g after the ph drops and dieing fish. When someone finally told my about macro algaes. then the added plant life brought the system in line. And because I only changed one thing I am sure it was the plant life and only the plant life. Not the water, not the sand, not the rocks, not the water changes, not increased circulation, not a skimmer, not another new filter, not reduced feeding, not hypo, not garlic, not new lighting, not new lighting duration, not new bulbs, just the plant life.
 
beaslbob

beaslbob

Well-Known Member

Originally posted by Bang Guy
So, tell us... when did you add "plant life"?
As stated above I added plant life to my current 55g after the ph drops and dieing fish.
I guess that wasn't clear enough :rolleyes:
Fw 1979.
Saltwater 2003 (4 months after setup)
HTH
 
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