RO Water vs Tap Water
- Thread starter xixi
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tur4k
Member
Don't use tap water. Tap water quality/contents varies. At best it usually contains nutrients that will spur unsightly algae growth. At worst it contains elements/metals/toxins that are harmful to fish and/or inverts.
The vast majority of reefers use RO/DI water. A lot of marine fish stores sell RO/DI water if you don't want to spend $$ on a RO/DI unit for your home. I've heard that some grocery stores sell it as well.
The vast majority of reefers use RO/DI water. A lot of marine fish stores sell RO/DI water if you don't want to spend $$ on a RO/DI unit for your home. I've heard that some grocery stores sell it as well.
aquaknight
Active Member
To answer pretty much the same Tur4k did, but in a completely different way.... If the $150 cost of a RO/DI unit are going to be budget-prohibitive, it may be time to consider one's place, in or out of the hobby...
To directly answer your question, water conditioners only do much. They can eliminate chlorine, and turn ammonia into a less toxic form. But they can't remove many other things as mentioned above. Generally if you plan it use conditioned tap water, it'll only be for a fish-only tank. However that's one of the quickest ways to have a algae-filled fish only tank. (not saying there aren't plenty of people with great tanks that only use tap. Just saying what usually happens...)
To directly answer your question, water conditioners only do much. They can eliminate chlorine, and turn ammonia into a less toxic form. But they can't remove many other things as mentioned above. Generally if you plan it use conditioned tap water, it'll only be for a fish-only tank. However that's one of the quickest ways to have a algae-filled fish only tank. (not saying there aren't plenty of people with great tanks that only use tap. Just saying what usually happens...)
tangs rule
Active Member
Tap water is unacceptable for use when mixing salt mix for use an any saltwater fish tank.. City tap water quality varies from site to site and from times of the year. There is a huge amount of added chemicals (chlorine, flourine, chloramine, etc) AND dissolved phosphates, nitrates, silica, sediment, debris, solids, junk, & crap that "good" city water contains, , ALL of which does not ever belong in your tank.. Planning on using tap water on a saltwater tank is a sure recipe for failure..
it's amazing to change out the 5 micron particulate filters in RODI units, that's when you get to see the slime/mud/muck/dirt & crap that the unit filtered out. Most folks gotta change these every 3 months or so.
There's alot of junk in ANY "city" water. Again, none of it belongs in a salt tank.
it's amazing to change out the 5 micron particulate filters in RODI units, that's when you get to see the slime/mud/muck/dirt & crap that the unit filtered out. Most folks gotta change these every 3 months or so.
There's alot of junk in ANY "city" water. Again, none of it belongs in a salt tank.
flower
Well-Known Member
Welcome to the site!
Reverse Osmoses water has nothing in it. So the only chemicals that are in your saltwater tank are the ones YOU put there. Tap water has lots of junk in it you can't test for and stuff like hair algae loves it and grows like crazy. The only thing your water conditioner takes out is chlorine. Your fish and coral don't need stuff like fluoride.
1guydude
Well-Known Member
+1 to all of above!
RO/DI stands for reverse osmosis and de-ionization....these units remove anywhere from id say 95%-98% impurities from ur water, this is a must in a reef tank....you can use distilled water from the grocery but this is a non cost effective way of keeping a tank believe me!
RO/DI stands for reverse osmosis and de-ionization....these units remove anywhere from id say 95%-98% impurities from ur water, this is a must in a reef tank....you can use distilled water from the grocery but this is a non cost effective way of keeping a tank believe me!
old hickory
Member
I purchased a Corallfe RO about 2 months ago, and I'm back to packing water out of the LFS. It had a faulty part and quit working already. Sent the manufacturer an email asking (politely) for a replacement part without any response so far. Personally, I'll never purchase one of their products again.
S
siptang
Guest
I have coral life skimmer with similar result... only thing I buy from them is salt..
tur4k
Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Hickory http:///forum/thread/385844/ro-water-vs-tap-water#post_3386000
I purchased a Corallfe RO about 2 months ago, and I'm back to packing water out of the LFS. It had a faulty part and quit working already. Sent the manufacturer an email asking (politely) for a replacement part without any response so far. Personally, I'll never purchase one of their products again.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Siptang http:///forum/thread/385844/ro-water-vs-tap-water#post_3386002
I have coral life skimmer with similar result... only thing I buy from them is salt..
Seems to be a popular theme lately. I've seen a few threads lately on different boards where people were complaining about their products.
Originally Posted by Old Hickory http:///forum/thread/385844/ro-water-vs-tap-water#post_3386000
I purchased a Corallfe RO about 2 months ago, and I'm back to packing water out of the LFS. It had a faulty part and quit working already. Sent the manufacturer an email asking (politely) for a replacement part without any response so far. Personally, I'll never purchase one of their products again.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Siptang http:///forum/thread/385844/ro-water-vs-tap-water#post_3386002
I have coral life skimmer with similar result... only thing I buy from them is salt..
Seems to be a popular theme lately. I've seen a few threads lately on different boards where people were complaining about their products.
