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Valderes
07-31-2007, 1:46 PM
Distilled Water?
Hello Everyone=)
Awsome forum!!! Lot of info!! Just started getting into Saltwater Tanks. Just got a 220 gal. tank. Wanted to go bigger for the obvious reasons- esp. for the well being of the fish. I'm in the process of absorbing all the information about it. Want to know as much info as possible before I start on the tank set up. I do have one question. Cofused about water. I know copper traces in water should be avoided. Can distilled water be use? like from a dehumidifier or not? Ok two questions -What would be the best water source to start the tank up? RO Filtration? Any links would be apprec. Thanks to everyone here for all their knowledge and being nice and sharing it with everyone!:1zhelp: Valderes
Subliminal
07-31-2007, 1:58 PM
RO/DI is the best.

You want minimal copper, as you mentioned, but also don't want phosphates, nitrates, silicates, etc.

Those last three are responsible for a goodly amount of algae problems suffered by people.
fsn77
07-31-2007, 2:01 PM
RO/DI water is best (Reverse Osmosis / De-Ionization), but RO water is fine. Store bought distilled water is ok, but only if it says that it wasn't distilled in a system containing copper plumbing (I've heard some actually say this, but haven't looked myself to see which brands state this). Otherwise, distilled is too expensive for an initial fill or long term use in a tank as big as 220g compared to the operating costs of a RO/DI unit. RO/DI water can be made at operating costs around $0.20 / gallon -- hard to find water that cheap at any store. If you can afford the initial $130 - $200 cost for a good quality RO/DI unit, it should save you a lot of money versus buying water from any store, unless you have incredibly bad tap water. Distilled from a dehumidifier will be exposed to metals, unless the dehumidifier is free of metal components.
Valderes
07-31-2007, 2:05 PM
Thanks to all for the clarification. Appreciate it. Hope to run into you again!
lotuskid
07-31-2007, 3:11 PM
You could always ask around localy to see if anyone else has a saltwater tank. I have a friend who supplies my RO water for free. Like he keeps telling me, if he's not saving it for a water change then it's just going down the drain.
Yuri De Lima
07-31-2007, 3:25 PM
Wish I had a friend like that! lol
Grins
07-31-2007, 3:40 PM
With a 220g tank a RO/DI unit will QUICKLY pay for itself.
Grins
07-31-2007, 3:41 PM
You could always ask around localy to see if anyone else has a saltwater tank. I have a friend who supplies my RO water for free. Like he keeps telling me, if he's not saving it for a water change then it's just going down the drain.

I could see a friend doing that for a nano or something but doing the fill and refills on a 220g might get tiresome.=)