Water question

rkm

rkm

Member
I do not have a RO/DI filter rite now. I want to get one. I was told that I could use some distilled water from a local store. Well here is my question. I went to giant and all I found is Evian, Deer Park etc, all name brands they all said natural spring water. I am looking for distilled water. I look over to the last section and I see GIANT brand water. It says it is distilled water. Then it also says it is all natural spring water. Is this water all the same. I know the taste is diff. everyon knows Aquafina is the best tasting:D Would my fish think so???? I just wonder if their is something in it that we like that my harm the fish...
Sorry for the question I know it may be crazy....
Thanks
 
ruaround

ruaround

Active Member
It prolly is just spring water that was distilled...you dont want to use spring water, but distilled spring water i okay. You really should search out an RO system in your area...if there is a Wal-Mart around there should be an RO machine. Is there a Starbucks near by??? I dont know how much they would charge for a gallon, but they prolly would sell you some RO water...What about culligan??? If you want some more ideas or info about the differences between your water options let me know...
 
njdiver

njdiver

Member
As someone else said if they don't have what your looking for try another store.
Spring Water has all sorts of stuff in it, straight from the spring, not what you want.
Most distilled waters today are good and free of most contaminants. (Not a bad idea to test it first though for copper and phosphates to be sure. The older methods used copper tubing.)
The Great Bear is 'Purified' water with a green label. Purified just means its been purified via some sort of method. (Distilled, RO/DI, etc.) In the case of this brand, it says in the small print that its RO, and according to the web sight its carbon filtered first, then RO/DI. Its about $1 a gallon at my local store.
_Scott
 
smalltimer

smalltimer

Member
Do you guys have a lfs that sells r.o. water, mine, 3 in town sells at .25 a gallon fresh and 1.00 per gallon pre mix with salt for water changes......................:confused:
 
ravenx

ravenx

Member
I've been told when setting up a sw tank, to use regular tap water which is supposed to help with the cycling of the tank. During and after the cycle when the water starts to evaporate you should switch to adding R/O water. Now this is what i have been told. Is this true and is it a good idea? please let me know. thanks.
 
broomer5

broomer5

Active Member
Lot's of people use tap water when initially setting up their tanks.
Lot's of people don't, and use either store bought RO or RO/DI or make their own RO/DI water at home.
It's as simple as this ...
If you test the tap water first, and find it free of nitrate, ammonia and phosphates, it may be okay. But we don't normally test for other things that "could" be in the water, such as heavy metals, hydrocarbons, bacteria, chlorine and a whole host of other pollutants.
You take a risk using tap water every time you fill up a bucket.
It all depends on what is in the tap water, and how comfortable you are with taking unknown risks with your tank(s).
On the other hand, using RO or RO/DI water, if it has been filtered properly by equipment that is well maintained, reduces this risk greatly.
Good looking, well maintained beautiful tanks are normally the result of an owner that takes extra precautions with everything he or she puts into the tank, including ( especially ) the water.
I've always thought that if I eliminate or reduce the "possibilities" of nuisance algae or water quality problems down the road, by taking either necessary or "perceived" necessary steps beforehand, that I will have better luck with a tank in the long run.
Using RO/DI water from the onset, for both saltwater mixes and evaporation top offs, to me is the only way to go.
In my opinion - it greatly reduces the chances for future problems, and is one thing that I can easily control.
Naturally there is a higher cost associated with using RO/DI water ..... but it's a cost that I'm willing to pay.
 
broomer5

broomer5

Active Member
Not sure - never used one - but I'd imagine if it's like most other faucet type water purifiers - it's a combination of activated carbon and a very fine sediment filter. Possible it has an activated resin of some sort as well.
If the water does not pass under pressure through an RO membrane - it can't be called RO.
If it doesn't have the two DI resins - it should not be considered DI.
But it may very well be better than using straight tap water, but should certainly be conditioned prior to using it in your tank.
IMO
 
rkm

rkm

Member
what do you mean by conditioned? circulated for 24 hrs or some kind of addative. Thanks
 
fshhub

fshhub

Active Member
pur is NOT ro
just well filtered, as good as you can get in a 30$ filter, IMO
but ro is much different and also much more costly, but worth it
 
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