Treatment of Tap water

[spider crab]

I was in my LFS the other day and the subject of treating tap water came up. I usually don't use tap water, but occassionally when I have I always use those chemical additives that are supposed to get rid of chlorine, the kind you add a few drops per gallon of. I'm not sure I misunderstood my LFS guy but he seemed indicate that the salt in the saltwater would nutralize the chlorine/chloromines? Is that true.
I've always worried that when I cleaned out my filter or protien skimmer that I might poison my tank if I didnt use treated or RO water. I had the same worry when using tap water to rise out coral/sand before adding it to my tank. It wouold be nice to know that I can use tap water without worrying on those chores.

 

[col]

Some say that leaving the tapwater standing in a bucket for a day or 2 will remove chlorine, but I'm not sure about chloramine.

 

[flamingkingofhe]

If I have to use tap wich I hate to do I use dechlor. just to be safe. I guess it also depends on what type of salt you use or maybe not.

 

[sebae0]

instant ocean claims to remove the chlorine when added to the water.

 

[reefnut]

What does everyone think of these tap water filters/DI?

 

[slick]

They only remove particular waste. Like rust. They will not remove chlorine, silicate, or nitrates like a real RO/DI will. But it's better than nothing.

 

[reefnut]

I pulled a water report from the local water treatment plant and the only element of concern was a small amount copper. This filter claims to remove copper among other things. So far I have not had any trouble... Except green hair algae. I just added 42 critters to try and eliminate that problem.

 

[dreeves]

The mixed bed portion of the tap filter you displayed should remove some of the ions in your tap water...such as nitrate, phosphate and so on. But it cannot compete with a full blown RO/DI multiple stage filtration unit.

 

[reefnut]

dreeves, certainly not.

 

[dreeves]

Huh?

 

[nerdy]

I use tropic marin salt and they also claim that just the salt alone will neutralize the chlorine. Just to be on the safe side I add additives anyway. I make sure that the additive does not have aloe in it. They say the aloe will put a protective layer on the fish but I know that it make the water surface bubble and makes your skimmer go crazy!

 

[reefnut]

lol, the tapwater filter can certainly not compete with a full blown RO/DI multiple stage filtration unit

 

[dreeves]

Okee dokee...