Originally Posted by
Rykna
TAP Water all the way!!!!!! RO water is just another way for fish stores to drain your wallets.
In my 90 I had 2 gonipora flowerpots that were thriving and growing....
I WOULD NOT, however, suggest this to a newbie. I have had fish for over 20 years, salt and fresh. It is a sense of balance in your tank that you get only with experience.
I know what is in my tap water, tons of terrible things, and some good things too. The ONE and only time I used RO water I almost lost my entire tank. That was the last time I every purchased water. I prefer my home brew, at least I know what is in it, and I know that the balance is correct, salinity ~PH and such.
That's my 2 cents
Rykna
Tap water usage can be justifiable if you live in a pristine location and know the exact concentrations of the chemicals and minerals in your water. The tap water in Minnesota is probably half decent. I know there are folks in Colorado that have tap water that is 20-30 ppm for total dissolved solids and nearly all of it is calcium. However, you would be a fool or just ignorant to use Philadelphia city water as in my case. It is 200+ ppm on a TDS meter and God only knows what is in there as far as heavy metals and other pollutants.