olingerjccj
Member
I am getting ready to add water to my sw tank Friday. Is there a cheap way to filter your tap water. I really cant afford the 100+ water filter. Im concerned about tap water causing more alge then I want...
Thanks
Thanks
Tap Water
- Thread starter olingerjccj
- Start date
spiderwoman
Active Member
You could get your RO water from Walmart or from your LFS and then mix the saltwater yourself.
S
sawtydog
Guest
have you tried that well know
[hr]
site for an RO system? i did a search a few weeks ago and found many on there that were good for 75gal. a day for around 70 bucks
[hr]
site for an RO system? i did a search a few weeks ago and found many on there that were good for 75gal. a day for around 70 bucks
spanko
Active Member
You are correct to be concerned. Some people use their tap water for everything concerning their system including initial fill, changes and top off. My recommendation to you would be to go to your LFS, Walmart or sometimes grocery stores and get their RO filtered water. Barring that you could also use distilled water. You really want to start your system off with the best possible ingredients. I mention this because you want to fill it up Friday and that might not be enough time to get the results from you local water department. You could now request a water testing result from your local water department to see what kind of condition your tap water is to decide if you want to use it in the future.
lexluethar
Active Member
Just buy bottled ro/di water - it's like 40 cents a gallon and will be the cheapest thing you buy for a tank. I understand not buying an ro/di system because of costs, but not purchasing ro/di water alltogether is just rediculous. Cheapest cost for your tank, and is one of the key foundations for starting a new tank.
alienhybridx
Member
i use tap water all the time and i treat it with amquel plus ...have had no algae problems so far or nitrates rising ........
lexluethar
Active Member
Heavy metals is the biggest issue with tap water.
mcbdz
Active Member
Originally Posted by AlienHybridX
http:///forum/post/2557198
i use tap water all the time and i treat it with amquel plus ...have had no algae problems so far or nitrates rising ........
Have you checked your phosphates? They want hurt your tank at first but with build up can cause a crash. I checked my original tap and it was higher then 10.
Checked it after we added a whole house filter system and it was 4
then added an r/o unit and now have less then .5
This is the same with other dissolved solids in tap. Most you can't test for and will build up over time. Later when the tank crashes no one can fin an answer.
Not tryin' to scare you (Yes I am
) just sayin' your risk.
http:///forum/post/2557198
i use tap water all the time and i treat it with amquel plus ...have had no algae problems so far or nitrates rising ........
Have you checked your phosphates? They want hurt your tank at first but with build up can cause a crash. I checked my original tap and it was higher then 10.
This is the same with other dissolved solids in tap. Most you can't test for and will build up over time. Later when the tank crashes no one can fin an answer.
alienhybridx
Member
no i have/don't test for phosphates haven't had a diatom bloom since i setup 2 months ago
jpc763
Active Member
I used straight tap water for 2 months when I started the tank up. Had hair algae all over the place. I purchased an API Tap Water Filter for something like $20 bucks. I have used it ever since and I no longer have any hair algea in my tank. The water is clear and it tests out perfect for Nitrates, Nitrites, Phosphates & Ammonia (0 across the board).
I did not get a RO system for 2 reasons. First, I did not want to set it up in the upstairs guest bathroom (where I do all of my mixing) and second because I live in a "high desert" and I did not want to waste water (RO/DI systems create a lot of waste water).
I highly recommend this unit and it can be purchased at the 2 doctors site.
I did not get a RO system for 2 reasons. First, I did not want to set it up in the upstairs guest bathroom (where I do all of my mixing) and second because I live in a "high desert" and I did not want to waste water (RO/DI systems create a lot of waste water).
I highly recommend this unit and it can be purchased at the 2 doctors site.