Water Supply for Changes

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Tony

New Member
I am currently using distilled water for my water changes because that is what i started with. I was told that you cant switch to other supply sources. Is there a cheap and easier way to get water that will stop the frequent store visits? I have looked at reverse osmosis but that can get pricey too. what are the advatges of using tap water and letting it sit to eleimnate the chlorine and what are the disadvantages?
Tony
 
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reefman23

New Member
Chlorine is not the only thing you have to worry about in tap water. RO is your best option for a reef tank.

Jesse
 
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Trogdor

New Member
I have used tap before and didn't have any major issues, though I did run carbon and phosguard 24/7. My tank did eventually collapse but I won't contribute that to the water. Damn watchman goby...i blame him mostly.

My thoughts on RO water is that reef tanks have been around for ages. RO water hasn't so what did they use back then? If you end up wanting to use tap then call the water company and request a copy of the water tests. It will list the components in the water and you can decide that way if you still want to use tap.
 
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Semo

New Member
Silica was the big problem I had with my well water. I have all pvc piping in my house, but there are many houses that will have some copper piping. Thats always a huge No NO in Reef tanks. I don't know if running water through copper pipes would add any damaging amount to the water, but its not worth the risk in a reef tank.

I say spend the 1-2 bills for a high S-Ro Unit and know its good. Spending 35 bucks for a coral...RO units aren't that expensive when ya look at it from that aspect.
 
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Tony

New Member
So i go the tap water route....can the levels change on me or do i have to check them all the time. what RO system is good and what can these cost? is a 12 g and a recently set up 24 g too small to consider a system like that? or is distilled just the easy way to keep things simple?
Tony
 
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Semo

New Member
I have seen good High s units on sale at foster-smith for 152..I think that was the price. Of course there is some fittings, storage bins and extra hardware if you want to automate the process, but you should be able to get one set up (DIY) for less than 200 bucks. I know its costly, but you will not have to plan trips to the store. If your like me..you will alwas be scoping for a cheap way to increase tank size. I have a 250g in basement I picked up at a yard sale....will be years in the making of that beast.

Regarding the tap...I do not know. I bummed RO from a co-worker until I made the purchase.
 
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Semo

New Member
Someone else will chime in about the copper pipes...I am not sure about that. That was just a concern I had that I just eliminated by not using tap.

You may be ok with copper pipes...just a concern I had, because I have some copper fittings on my pressure tank and water softner.
 
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Tony

New Member
Cool. 200 bucks isnt bad. i plan on being in this for a while....i hope. i think ill easily spend that much in no time on water. i went through about 40 bucks of water just last week in water changes and setting up my new tank. So....i gues that may be the solution. ill look into it more. Thanks. any other info is greatly appreciated if you have more.
tony
 
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Semo

New Member
Not sure where I will set it up..its just sitting down there...gonna cost me a fortune in rock and lights...It will be many months....

I bought premixed salt water from my LFS when setting up my first tank...I saw quickly how much that would cost...your right about saving in the long run..

I think many posters from here will agree with a choice of RO unit...
 
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dancefish

New Member
if your a diy-er you can purchase a lot of suplies from you local hardware store also & make your own system :cool1: or go on line say @ drs fos&smththey have complete systems
 
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