Rain water for topping up tank ???

[deathrow]

All your guides say that tap water has ammonia and nitrite and that you should use RO or something. My questions is can i put rain water in the tank. And does it have amonia or anything bad in it. Also why are sumps in sections that either go over or under ?.

 

[wangotango]

Rainwater is not pure water. Your best bet is an RO/DI unit.
-Justin

 

[jtrzerocool]

rain water can have contaminants in it from polution...also you can put more contaminants in it depending on how you collect it...IMO the best way to get your own pure water is to get a RO/DI unit...it will save money and time in the long run...

 

[deathrow]

I cant due to where i am located. I dont see why it isent pure. Whats the problem

 

[deathrow]

I have a rain water tank and its either tap water or rain tank water. What contaminants. And dosent rain water go straight back into the ocean.

 

[jtrzerocool]

sulfer and nitrogen are the main contaminants in rain water...ever heard of acid rain?
when i spend $50 on a coral or fish for my tank...i want the peace of mind that it will live...if you use rain water then you run the risk of nuking your tank...

 

[jonthefishguy]

It isnt pure because it picks up dust particles in the air and falls back down. Depending on your region, all rain is acidic and the pollution that is in the air is collected within the water droplets and falls back down. Hence not pure rain water..

 

[deathrow]

Haha. Oh i thought acid rain only happend near nucleaer plants and stuf. I live in australia. maybe u only have it in america or something. So what should i do tap or rain.
And wont the filter just pick up the dust.

 

[wangotango]

Originally Posted by Deathrow
I cant due to where i am located. I dont see why it isent pure. Whats the problem
You can't get an RO/DI unit? They tap right into your house's plumbing, and it really doesn't matter what source that's using.
Like mentioned, the pollution and dust are big problems. It doesn't really effect the ocean because it's so big, but you will definately notice it in an aquarium.
-Justin

 

[jtrzerocool]

Originally Posted by Deathrow
Haha. Oh i thought acid rain only happend near nucleaer plants and stuf. I live in australia. maybe u only have it in america or something. So what should i do tap or rain.
And wont the filter just pick up the dust.
you can use E-bay cant you? there are RO/DI units on there...

 

[deathrow]

Im just starting my saltwater tank and its cycling. and i need to keep the nitrates and stuf down. Its been 2 weeks + and there still there. This sounds stupid but can u put live rock in tap to make it cycle the ammonia and stuf.
Also the water in the rain tank looks crystal clear.

 

[jtrzerocool]

Originally Posted by Deathrow
Im just starting my saltwater tank and its cycling. and i need to keep the nitrates and stuf down. Its been 2 weeks + and there still there. This sounds stupid but can u put live rock in tap to make it cycle the ammonia and stuf.
Also the water in the rain tank looks crystal clear.
it may look clear but id be willing to bet that it is not sutible for a SW tank...do you have a TDS meter?

 

[deathrow]

My mum said she dosent want me to spend anymore money on the tank. So i dont think she would let me get a $50 + machine. I have every machine nesacery already.

 

[deathrow]

TDS meter ? i have a hydrometer.

 

[jtrzerocool]

Originally Posted by Deathrow
TDS meter ? i have a hydrometer.
TDS= Total Disolved Solids...
it measures the impurities in the water...

 

[wangotango]

Originally Posted by jtrzerocool
TDS= Total Disolved Solids...
it measures the impurities in the water...
Beat me to it.
A hydrometer measures specific gravity, totally different. Most LFS will sell RO water. This might be an option to look into.
-Justin

 

[jonthefishguy]

Wow, sometimes I get thrown back by the people on here and forget that many are still children.

 

[deathrow]

AU E-Bay dosent sell RO water purifiers i dont think aquarium shops will. But i still have the problem about money. I think im just gonna put rain water from tank in. Do u want to try stop me now or do u know something to make the rain water more pure.

 

[jtrzerocool]

Originally Posted by WangoTango
Most LFS will sell RO water. This might be an option to look into.
LOL...yes the LFS will be a good option for you...they normally sell it for...wait...you dont use american money...hmmmm...sorry i cant tell you how much it is in australlia...

 

[deathrow]

Au money has gone up!!!!!! its good if australians travel to america. $1 us = 80 cents australian. And i still cant go that RO water so im gonna use rain. Read my last post if u want to try stop me.