reverse osmosis water?

[dsmjuggalo]

so while shopping at walmart today i noticed that there water refill center in the front of the store sold reverse osmosis water. does anybody know if this is good enough for me to use for topping off and water changes? its only 1.48 for 5 gallons of it. also what is a good process to use when mixing up the saltwater for the tank..

 

[grue]

What kinda tank? For a fish only it would be fine. tho you may get more alge growth with just ro water. For a tank containing corals no. RO water can still have phospates in it. Phospates are alge food. I would not use ro water at all. RODI is the only way to go. Not Spring water, not purified, not RO. Do you have a phospate tester? If so buy a gallon and test the walmart water you might not be happy with it. Check in the newbie section keyword water see what pops up
Grue

 

[keebler]

Originally Posted by DSMjuggalo
http:///forum/post/2772608
so while shopping at walmart today i noticed that there water refill center in the front of the store sold reverse osmosis water. does anybody know if this is good enough for me to use for topping off and water changes? its only 1.48 for 5 gallons of it. also what is a good process to use when mixing up the saltwater for the tank..
I use it, but I really recommend buying a system. I am looking into getting one now, but for the time being I have been using it. It is okay to use, but getting your own is better. You don't know how often they change the filters or if they even know what they are doing. For a temporary fix, go for it, but getting your own unit will pay off pretty fast. To get the water you have to buy their jugs too.

 

[nordy]

Agree with the above replies. I used plain old tap water for years when my tank was a FOWLR setup, and while it did OK, I had algea issues in that tank! When I went reef, I broke down and got an ro/di unit and it probably one of the best thnigs I have ever gotten for my tank!
As for mixing up water for your tank, I recommend the fiollowing: get a small cheapo powerhead and heater for each 5 gallon bucket that you prepare. Mix the salt and water (1/2 cup per gallon), test the salinity as soon as the mix is clears up (usually in an hour or so) in case you have adjust it, then let it sit and circulate and warm up for 24 to 48 hours before using it for water changes.

 

[keebler]

yeah, I do have a little phosphates even with cheato. I know they come from that water. I am working on getting an ro/di so I can get corals.

 

[netimreefer]

+1 need my own ro/di as well