jonnymaurer
New Member
Is it safe to use distilled water when trying to lower your salt levels?
Water
- Thread starter jonnymaurer
- Start date
jonnymaurer
New Member
what does "ro" mean? Sorry I'm new, lol
jonnymaurer
New Member
ok, thanks for your help!
meowzer
Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by JonnyMaurer http:///forum/thread/379664/water#post_3300639
ok, thanks for your help!
meowzer
Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Posiden http:///forum/thread/379664/water#post_3300734
Ok, I'll be the bad person.........
Lots of distilled water states right on the container that it is purified by either distillation or RO.
so what are you saying
Originally Posted by Posiden http:///forum/thread/379664/water#post_3300734
Ok, I'll be the bad person.........
Lots of distilled water states right on the container that it is purified by either distillation or RO.
so what are you saying
posiden
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///forum/thread/379664/water#post_3300735
so what are you saying
That buying distilled water is ok IMO. Its not too far from buying the RO out of the machine. No one knows when the filter were changed in those water units or just what they are putting out. Well, short of buying a hand held TDS meter and testing it when you got home or when its coming out of the machine. I used store bought distilled water for a long time before I caved in and bought an RO/DI untit.
posiden
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///forum/thread/379664/water#post_3300754
You just have to read what it actually is, but like Poseiden said, most distilled water is infact RO water.
Funny, You spelled my name like I should have. I should have checked it before I made my account.
Sorry, I had too. I've had a few......
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///forum/thread/379664/water#post_3300754
You just have to read what it actually is, but like Poseiden said, most distilled water is infact RO water.
Funny, You spelled my name like I should have. I should have checked it before I made my account.
Sorry, I had too. I've had a few......
btldreef
Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Posiden http:///forum/thread/379664/water#post_3300760
Funny, You spelled my name like I should have. I should have checked it before I made my account.
Sorry, I had too. I've had a few......
LOL .. spell check is my friend, I didn't even notice
navigator
Member
I'm new to the hobby, but I know a bit about water treatment thanks to my day job. Here are several fairly concise articles about water purification methods (all fairly well written for wikipedia):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purified_water
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_osmosis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distilled_water
Distillation and reverse osmosis are two methods of purifying water, with the resulting product water being similarly low in dissolved solids (i.e. salts, such as calcium or nitrate). That is, the two products are essentially the same. However, distilled water has certain requirements which must be met in order to qualify as 'distilled.' In other words, water can be 'purified' by RO and not qualify as 'distilled.' But again, unless you are performing chemistry, the difference is too slight to worry about. Always mix your seawater according to specifications, and allow time for dissolution of salt and gas exchange.
However, just to scare you with some theoretical points: There can be lingering problems with either method if not performed thoroughly. For example, if carbon is not appropriately used before either RO filtration or distillation, salts will be removed but certain chemicals can survive (e.g. chlorine in RO systems is not removed by the membrane, and chloramines can survive the boiling process in true distillation - either chemical is bad news for our tanks!). Also, most non-municipal RO treatment units do not employ a UV or ozone step, which disinfects the product water of various microbes. That said - there is very little risk that the stuff you buy is improperly purified, and it becomes silly to worry about minor risks. Just be aware. I still like to test my source water before I mix any salt.
/Soapbox
High-quality in-home RO systems include a relatively coarse sediment filtration step, a carbon pre-filter to protect the membrane, the 'RO' membrane itself, and a carbon post-filtration step to further reduce chemical constituents. Without the carbon steps, large-molecule salts might be removed while chemicals like chlorine remain. Don't skimp on quality. Having the RO unit in your home means that you have control over the filter maintenance and eliminates doubt as to whether ALL appropriate steps (carbon, membrane specs, etc.) are included in your system.
/Soapbox off
I hope some folks out there find this useful. If not, forgive my wordiness! =)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purified_water
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_osmosis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distilled_water
Distillation and reverse osmosis are two methods of purifying water, with the resulting product water being similarly low in dissolved solids (i.e. salts, such as calcium or nitrate). That is, the two products are essentially the same. However, distilled water has certain requirements which must be met in order to qualify as 'distilled.' In other words, water can be 'purified' by RO and not qualify as 'distilled.' But again, unless you are performing chemistry, the difference is too slight to worry about. Always mix your seawater according to specifications, and allow time for dissolution of salt and gas exchange.
However, just to scare you with some theoretical points: There can be lingering problems with either method if not performed thoroughly. For example, if carbon is not appropriately used before either RO filtration or distillation, salts will be removed but certain chemicals can survive (e.g. chlorine in RO systems is not removed by the membrane, and chloramines can survive the boiling process in true distillation - either chemical is bad news for our tanks!). Also, most non-municipal RO treatment units do not employ a UV or ozone step, which disinfects the product water of various microbes. That said - there is very little risk that the stuff you buy is improperly purified, and it becomes silly to worry about minor risks. Just be aware. I still like to test my source water before I mix any salt.
/Soapbox
High-quality in-home RO systems include a relatively coarse sediment filtration step, a carbon pre-filter to protect the membrane, the 'RO' membrane itself, and a carbon post-filtration step to further reduce chemical constituents. Without the carbon steps, large-molecule salts might be removed while chemicals like chlorine remain. Don't skimp on quality. Having the RO unit in your home means that you have control over the filter maintenance and eliminates doubt as to whether ALL appropriate steps (carbon, membrane specs, etc.) are included in your system.
/Soapbox off
I hope some folks out there find this useful. If not, forgive my wordiness! =)
spanko
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///forum/thread/379664/water#post_3300633
NO, you want ro water....or purified bottled water
you can also buy the water from the machines at Walmart
Why?
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=225917&hl=distilled+water
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///forum/thread/379664/water#post_3300633
NO, you want ro water....or purified bottled water
you can also buy the water from the machines at Walmart
Why?
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=225917&hl=distilled+water
pezenfuego
Active Member
I think we (as hobbyists) sometimes make crap up and spread it around to justify our buying decisions. For most people, ro/di is more practical, but that doesn't mean that it's better. If I didn't have a unit, I would buy whichever is cheapest.
meowzer
Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by spanko http:///forum/thread/379664/water#post_3300796
Why?
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=225917&hl=distilled+water
Can't answer that Henry......I just remember a long time ago I asked that ans was told definitely not
Being that I had no clue about it....I took the persons word.....never really looked into it....I bought an ro/di and went on
