Preparing Tap Water

[wayne_etc]

OK, so this is probably a dumb question, but one I haven't seen discussed anywhere else.
What's the best way to prepare tap water for salt water? I'm assuming I just can't take water right out of the tap and add Instant Ocean or some other sea salt and call it ready.
Or can I?
Thanks
w

 

[belothsurf]

There are many arguments about this....and the overwhelming consensus is to use either reverse osmosis/deionization water or distilled water. But tap water can be used, the main drawback being it can contain lot's of heavy metals, nitrates, and of course either chlorine or chloramines. My water down here in B'ham is actually low in Nitrates, but is extremely hard. My alkalinity was out of the roof for several months, until I got the tank diluted enough with distilled water. Anyway, all you need to use for tap water is a water conditioner that dechlorinates the water, and it should be safe to use. I've read if you let tap water sit for 48 hours the chlorine will be gone anyway, I'm not sure how much I trust that though.:happyfish

 

[spline9]

Yeah, what belothsurf said...
When I used tap I used AmQuel and NovAqua to condition my water. Seemed to have work fine. Now I use water from the LFS or distilled water.

 

[nacl-man]

Prepare tap water by running it through an RO/DI filter
It will make a world of difference long term.
Cheers!