RO water is better than tap water right?

[tigershark]

A local water store has RO water. I have been using tap water but I want to use better water now. I cant find RO/DI water around here and I dont really have the money to buy my own unit unless I could get one for $50 but I think they are more than that. So is RO water ok for me to use? I have seen distilled but I think it can maybe cause problems. Not too sure tho.

 

[ophiura]

In almost all cases, RO and distilled water is better than tap water for salt water tanks.
However, if the RO unit is not properly serviced, you may be paying a lot for tap water. Be sure you get it from a reputable source.
Distilled water, if used, for example, in freshwater tanks, is not good. It is too pure, and is very stressful for cells. However, when adding a salt mix, you are replacing many of the minerals, ions etc and so it is fine.

 

[tigershark]

Thats one of my problems I dont know if my source is a good one or not. Its about the same as getting it from a machine outside of walmart or something like that.... who knows how often they service it. Would you say distilled is a little safer getting it from a water store? I've heard you shouldnt use distilled for top off, is this true? Thanks for the help.

 

[sinner's girl]

you can re-fill your gallon water jugs at walmart for .33 a gl.
it's RO that goes through UV. (there's no room for a rodi unit)

 

[steve40]

Distilled water, if used, for example, in freshwater tanks, is not good. It is too pure, and is very stressful for cells.
ophiura- can you go into a little more detail on why distilled water is not good for freshwater. aside from saltwater i also do freshwater and have been using distilled water. if not distilled water what water would you recomend.