View Full Version : Water ?
jagr200
12-16-2007, 12:39 PM
Okay so I want to start my nano reef. Can I use treated tap water or do I have to use RO water? My Tap Water comes from a well so it is a pretty high PH to begin with. My FW fish have done great in it.
FishPassion
12-16-2007, 12:54 PM
You say "treated" tap water Im not sure what you mean by that. I am also on a well with extremely hard water excellent for cichlids and sw and am using it for my sw tanks. Have you checked your water for phosphates etc? I see you are planning on a 10 gallon reef if I were doing it I would just buy ro water mainly due to the fact that a small tank is not as forgiving as a larger one and you may have problems rather quickly. my opinion only...
jagr200
12-16-2007, 1:18 PM
Treated meaning I would use dechlorinator.
I have a test kit that does Nitrate, Nitrite, Total Alkalinity, and PH
wantvws
12-16-2007, 1:32 PM
Would your well water have chlorine in it?
jagr200
12-16-2007, 1:51 PM
Well it runs through our water treatment system so I dont know exactly what is in it if anything. I really dont think there is anything in it just strictly filtered.
Reefscape
12-16-2007, 1:51 PM
Before i would even concider using it, i would test for pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, hardness...even then i would only use it as a probable last resort...I would much prefer the use of RO water if that is possible..Just treating the water with dechlor is not enough for a marine system as you also have the metal compounds found in the water, which again, need to be removed..
Just my thoughts..
Niko
Froggyhonkey
12-16-2007, 1:53 PM
RO water is your best bet. You will have a lot less to worry about. Less variables. Good piece of mind product. I have one, but I live in philly so I could only imagine what is in the water.
jagr200
12-16-2007, 1:53 PM
Ya my lfs sells RO water for $1 a gallon. Not a bad price I guess.
is that their price of RO or RO mixed with salt?
jagr200
12-16-2007, 2:58 PM
Pretty sure just RO.
Hmm, you might want to ask to be certain. Just RO runs 1/2 that here.
jagr200
12-16-2007, 5:56 PM
Well I live in the freakin ghetto. lol. My town is only 75,000 people so there isnt much here.
clown-lover
12-16-2007, 7:27 PM
Your larger than 99% of all the towns in North Dakota. In fact there is only on town larger than yours and that is where I live..
tarheels910
12-16-2007, 7:31 PM
Interesting. My lfs sells RO water for 33 cents a gallon and they are overpriced.
jagr200
12-16-2007, 7:48 PM
Your larger than 99% of all the towns in North Dakota. In fact there is only on town larger than yours and that is where I live..
Ha I've been to Fargo acouple times. Not a bad town. Ya when there is only one pet store you can charge whatever you want.
strangerdejavu
12-16-2007, 7:54 PM
Well, if you figure you'll be doing a 1-gallon water change at least once a week... AND if you figure you'll be upgrading to a larger tank in short order (it's not unheard of), an RO/DI would pay for itself pretty quickly. Definitely something to consider!
jagr200
12-16-2007, 11:20 PM
Well, if you figure you'll be doing a 1-gallon water change at least once a week... AND if you figure you'll be upgrading to a larger tank in short order (it's not unheard of), an RO/DI would pay for itself pretty quickly. Definitely something to consider!
No way will I be upgrading to a bigger tank for atleast 2 years. I dont have room for another big tank. So if I do 10 gallons to start and then 1 gallon a week or 4 a month that is $48 a year for water changes. 48 times 2 is $96 + the 10 gallons to start brings it to $106 for 2 years. And the cheapest RO machine on Drs Foster and Smith is like $130 for low quality. That dosent factor in how many filters I would have to replace. So I think I'll pass on the RO machine and I'll just buy RO water.
How long can you store RO water? I'm going to a bigger town this weekend that has an amazing aquarium shop and I would get some cheaper if they sell it.