Water - What is the difference?

[reeferintx]

I have a question about water.....
I always read theads about using RO water because of how much better it is compared to tap water. I am totally OK with that and understand the reasoning.
The question is what is the difference between Distilled Water with Reverse Osmosis and RO? is this the same thing?

 

[squidd]

Welcome to the board...:cheer:
Interesting question...Where did you come up with "distilled water with reverse osmosis" as compared to RO...
Generally RO refers to Reverse Osmois water (the kind of membrane filtered water you can buy at a grocer...)
RO/DI refers to Reverse Osmosis and Deionized (a secondary filtering to remove more impurities)
And Distilled is a boiling and condensation process...
If you did one(distilled) you wouln't have to do the other.

 

[reeferintx]

So.......What is the best water to have?
Currently I buy Distilled water at the grocer and is says it has had Reverse Osmosis on the label?
Is that OK to use?
or
Is there a better water to use?
Thanks Squidd for the response!

 

[squidd]

That water sounds fine...
It seems odd though ...Distillation, boils off pure water to be condenced and collected, leaving impurities in the pot...
Whereas RO is water forced through a micron small membrane, a mechanical process...
Seems like your getting double pure water...no problem there

 

[dad]

I may be wrong but isn't distilled water bad for a reef tank?
Doesn't it take out all or most of the essintial elements that a reef tank needs?

 

[attml]

I used distilled water before I bought my RO/DI unit with good results. Distilled does remove come things benificial for your reef. IMO, it is better to remove good and bad then to add back in the good rather than adding the bad with the good. Your salt mix adds back in a good portion of what your reef needs.
In general here is the best to worse types of water you can use for your reef.
1. RO/DI
2. RO (only)
3. Distilled
4. Tap Water

 

[reeferintx]

In general here is the best to worse types of water you can use for your reef.
1. RO/DI
2. RO (only)
3. Distilled
4. Tap Water
So what is RO/DI?
At the store they have Distilled, Drinking, and Spring. which is the best to buy?

 

[aarone]

distilled. Definately not spring water.
aaron

 

[shoreliner11]

If you go to any major grocery store like Albertson's or Safeway...most have a glacier machine. This is just RO water but is only 35cents a gallon around where I live...not bad and you know its good...for the most part:thinking: . Just test your water when you get it home to make sure it doesn't have high nitrates or phosphates...if it does make sure you tell them that they need to change their filters.

 

[jlem]

Originally posted by Shoreliner11
most have a glacier machine. This is just RO water but is only 35cents a gallon
The Glacier machines near me are RO/DI/UV/CARBON/ MECHANICAL filtered. Not sure of the order but it is 25 cents a gallon and has worked great for the 2 years I've used it.