where to get the water?

les · 12-18-2007, 10:02 PM

I am new to reefing. I am anxiously awaiting my bio 29. I hear so much about watching your water, my question is where do I get the water? I've the instant ocean salt in the stores, but do I use my tap water or do I get it from LFS? Les

XBwlr · 12-18-2007, 10:07 PM

Do you have an reverse osmosis (RO) unit?
Or a RO / DI unit?

My LFS sells water, but, it's actually cheaper to buy your own unit.

BigAl07 · 12-18-2007, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by les

I am new to reefing. I am anxiously awaiting my bio 29. I hear so much about watching your water, my question is where do I get the water? I've the instant ocean salt in the stores, but do I use my tap water or do I get it from LFS? Les

That's up to you about buying from LFS but TAP water is OUT in My eyes. Either buy it or get your own RO/DI filter. It doesn't take long for one to pay for itself. In fact I am now officially SELLING my RO/DI water to other reefers

vdituri · 12-18-2007, 10:20 PM

Go with the option that fits your pocketbook at this point in time.

I started with Tap.
Upgraded to a DeIonizing filter.
Then upgraded again to a Reverse Osmosis filter to add to the Deionizing.

Somepeople buy their saltwater from the LocalFishStore.
Others buy freshwater from those self serve vending machines outside the supermarket.

Whatever you choose, make sure to test it before you add it to your tank.That way you will know what you are up against. Phosphates, nitrates etc.

Best of luck.

SmokeyNite · 12-20-2007, 12:56 AM

Our tap water here is actually really good water. Doesn't have much of anything in it. It's never harmed any of my freshwater fish, but how would saltwater fish react?

If I do use tap water, there are things I can add to it (if necessary) that will make it ok, right?

InLimbo87 · 12-20-2007, 12:59 AM

I wouldn't mess with tap water whatsoever. No matter how good it is, its like playing with fire. Nuisance algae can be a big problem in our reef tanks, and the excess nutrients in tap water will most definitely fuel that.

If you insist on using tap water, I'd suggest going with a water conditioner such as "Prime". It gets rid of any chlorine/chloramine, etc that would be affect your animals negatively.

Good luck with the new tank

xelnaga15 · 12-20-2007, 01:08 AM

yeah your just asking for trouble if you use tap water or even jugged up "Distilled water" I own a 29 Gal Bio cube.... It was my first tank... I found that the cheapest thing to do was to buy ro/di water from my local petland now your LFS prolly sells it as well. buying your own filter is also a good route in the long run but a decent one from the filter guys runs you from 125-200$

I MADE THE MISTAKE of USEING ONE GALLON OF "Distilled water" (to do an emergency top off) from the store ... not even tap water.... and within 1 week I had an explosion of alge and A bit of cyano showing up..

mps9506 · 12-20-2007, 09:24 AM

I'm gonna make this a bit complicated...
Tap water will work if it is low in nutrients and low in TDS. Just because it worked for FW doesn't mean it will work for reef tanks however. I would at minimum use water that goes through a carbon block. I know in certain parts of the country people get water with ultra low TDS out the tap and they just run the water through house filters and it's fine to use in a reef. My water comes out with extremely high TDS and seems to be treated with every chemical on earth before it gets to my house. I would highly suggest going with RO/DI water to ensure you reef doesn't get loaded nutrients from the start. I think even if I lived in an area with this mythical nutrient free water I would still use an ro/di system.

tbittner · 12-20-2007, 09:45 AM

If your tap water flows through any copper pipe anywhere before it comes out of the tap, it will be tainted with copper. Copper kills inverts, such as shrimp, snails, crabs, and corals. Yes, corals are classified as inverts. I would suggest that you test the TDS, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, phosphates, and copper in the tap water before even thinking about using it.

And even then, I'd use RO/DI water.

mps9506 · 12-20-2007, 09:50 AM

I n addition to that many water utilities add polyphosphate to the water as a flocculant to precipitate metal. Phosphate obviously equals bad in reef tanks

Witfull · 12-20-2007, 10:20 AM

go to your municipality and ask for a water report. they have to give it to you. i believe Cheeks uses tap water in Mass. without any issues.

les · 12-20-2007, 09:58 PM

Thanks for all the words of wisdom from everyone. You all have been so helpfull. Thankfully my LFS seems to be right on as well. Can't wait to get started. Tank arrived yesterday, already thrue the bio balls in the garbage, bought my live sand and some filters, next paycheck comes the water and rocks. Do I turn the lights on during the cycling period if the rocks are dormant?

12-18-2007, 10:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
les Fire Coral Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 68 View Gallery Karma Komment	where to get the water? I am new to reefing. I am anxiously awaiting my bio 29. I hear so much about watching your water, my question is where do I get the water? I've the instant ocean salt in the stores, but do I use my tap water or do I get it from LFS? Les

12-18-2007, 10:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
XBwlr Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: I give up. Posts: 1,131 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: where to get the water? Do you have an reverse osmosis (RO) unit? Or a RO / DI unit? My LFS sells water, but, it's actually cheaper to buy your own unit. __________________ ~Scott

12-18-2007, 10:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
vdituri Excellent Guesser :D Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 5,730 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: where to get the water? Go with the option that fits your pocketbook at this point in time. I started with Tap. Upgraded to a DeIonizing filter. Then upgraded again to a Reverse Osmosis filter to add to the Deionizing. Somepeople buy their saltwater from the LocalFishStore. Others buy freshwater from those self serve vending machines outside the supermarket. Whatever you choose, make sure to test it before you add it to your tank.That way you will know what you are up against. Phosphates, nitrates etc. Best of luck. __________________ Victor ----- People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

12-20-2007, 12:56 AM	#5 (permalink)
SmokeyNite Fire Coral Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 63 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: where to get the water? Our tap water here is actually really good water. Doesn't have much of anything in it. It's never harmed any of my freshwater fish, but how would saltwater fish react? If I do use tap water, there are things I can add to it (if necessary) that will make it ok, right?

12-20-2007, 12:59 AM	#6 (permalink)
InLimbo87 Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Orlando Posts: 999 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: where to get the water? I wouldn't mess with tap water whatsoever. No matter how good it is, its like playing with fire. Nuisance algae can be a big problem in our reef tanks, and the excess nutrients in tap water will most definitely fuel that. If you insist on using tap water, I'd suggest going with a water conditioner such as "Prime". It gets rid of any chlorine/chloramine, etc that would be affect your animals negatively. Good luck with the new tank __________________ We are forever responsible for that which we tame... Oceanic 33g Cube Tank Thread ~Ian~

12-20-2007, 01:08 AM	#7 (permalink)
xelnaga15 Limpet Join Date: May 2007 Location: Columbus, GA Posts: 144 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: where to get the water? yeah your just asking for trouble if you use tap water or even jugged up "Distilled water" I own a 29 Gal Bio cube.... It was my first tank... I found that the cheapest thing to do was to buy ro/di water from my local petland now your LFS prolly sells it as well. buying your own filter is also a good route in the long run but a decent one from the filter guys runs you from 125-200$ I MADE THE MISTAKE of USEING ONE GALLON OF "Distilled water" (to do an emergency top off) from the store ... not even tap water.... and within 1 week I had an explosion of alge and A bit of cyano showing up.. __________________ My First Aquarium 29gal Biocube The Xel Ocean! 210G Journey

12-20-2007, 09:24 AM	#8 (permalink)
mps9506 They misunderestimated me Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 7,408 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: where to get the water? I'm gonna make this a bit complicated... Tap water will work if it is low in nutrients and low in TDS. Just because it worked for FW doesn't mean it will work for reef tanks however. I would at minimum use water that goes through a carbon block. I know in certain parts of the country people get water with ultra low TDS out the tap and they just run the water through house filters and it's fine to use in a reef. My water comes out with extremely high TDS and seems to be treated with every chemical on earth before it gets to my house. I would highly suggest going with RO/DI water to ensure you reef doesn't get loaded nutrients from the start. I think even if I lived in an area with this mythical nutrient free water I would still use an ro/di system. __________________ Mike "The Bandwith Bandit" Help Build Reefpedia Premium Membership Available! Support Reef Sanctuary Sponsors

12-20-2007, 09:45 AM	#9 (permalink)
tbittner Watch this Ma! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 5,562 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: where to get the water? If your tap water flows through any copper pipe anywhere before it comes out of the tap, it will be tainted with copper. Copper kills inverts, such as shrimp, snails, crabs, and corals. Yes, corals are classified as inverts. I would suggest that you test the TDS, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, phosphates, and copper in the tap water before even thinking about using it. And even then, I'd use RO/DI water. __________________ Terry 150g predator tank full of killers. Soon to be upgraded to a 360g. 450g reef 300g sump.

12-20-2007, 09:50 AM	#10 (permalink)
mps9506 They misunderestimated me Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 7,408 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: where to get the water? I n addition to that many water utilities add polyphosphate to the water as a flocculant to precipitate metal. Phosphate obviously equals bad in reef tanks __________________ Mike "The Bandwith Bandit" Help Build Reefpedia Premium Membership Available! Support Reef Sanctuary Sponsors

12-20-2007, 09:58 PM	#12 (permalink)
les Fire Coral Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 68 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: where to get the water? Thanks for all the words of wisdom from everyone. You all have been so helpfull. Thankfully my LFS seems to be right on as well. Can't wait to get started. Tank arrived yesterday, already thrue the bio balls in the garbage, bought my live sand and some filters, next paycheck comes the water and rocks. Do I turn the lights on during the cycling period if the rocks are dormant?

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