Tap water treatment?'s

[puff(er) daddy]

HOW MANY OF YOU USE OR EVER USED THIS STUFF?
WHAT'S THE BEST BRAND?
IS IT WHAT THEY SAY IT IS?
I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR A R/O UNIT RIGHT NOW SO I'M TRYING TO TAKE THE EASY MOST EFFICENT WAY OUT. SO I BROUGHT SO AQUASAFE BY TETRA (AQUA). IT SAYS IT NEUTRALIZES CHLORINE, CHLORAMINE, AND HEAVY METALS HARMFUL TO FISH. IT ALSO CLAIMS TO ENHANCE NATURAL,PROTECTIVE SLIME COATING OF FISH.
YOUR COMMENTS PLEASE!

 

[nasukan]

The best stuff I found before finding an r/o machine at the grocery store was Cycle. It's in a white container, almost shaped like a pill bottle.

 

[broomer5]

If you are using municipal tap water - I would certainly use a product to get rid of chlorine and chloramines. Letting the tap water sit over night in an open bucket also allows much of the chlorine to escape, but better to use a product to eliminate it entirely.
I've used Kordon AmQuel for this in the past.
Although most would agree that RO, DI or RO/DI water is the safest bet, tap water can work fine - as long as it does not contain nitrates, phosphates or any other undesirable elements. But you never really know unless you test for all compounds each time you turn the faucet .... and no one can afford to do that
I used tap water for awhile with decent results, until I decided to go with an RO/DI unit.
If you can save up for one - it would be a wise investment.
Brian

 

[puff(er) daddy]

I WAS OUT PRICEING A R/O UNIT. THE GUY AT THE LFS TOLD ME I SHOULD CONSIDER GETTING A UV STERILIZER. WOULD THIS BE SUFFICIENT? THE PRICE SURE IS AT $130.OO.
WHAT'S THE PRO'S AND CON'S OF THE TWO?

 

[flydan]

Hey,
I think UV sterilizers are not good for a reef tank and a waste of $.
As for treating tap water, I don't think you will be able to remove copper and silica found as trace elements in municipal water and very bad for your tank.
For the short run, I'd buy RO water from your lfs if they have it. When you can afford it, buy an RO unit.
Just my .02.
Dan'l