Water Question - Who here uses tap water?

TheIrishJedi

TheIrishJedi

Abe Lincoln Sucked
Apr 14, 2009
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Kashta and I were wondering whether or not we could simply use conditioned tap water in a FOWLR tank?

We already know that RO/DI is recommended so we don't really need to go down that road.

What are your experiences utilizing tap water?
 
LMAO Jedi.. this should be a fun thread to keep up with. :)
 
That's an excellent thread topic as I am wondering the same myself.

I've been told that if you MUST use tap water, to use a conditioner such as Prime.

I use tap water in my 75-gallon FOWLR using a dechlorinator.

Granted, my tank is a baby (about 2 months). But, from the two months I've had the tank, I can already see that using RO/DI water would make a HUGE difference on the tank.
 
Tap water use in a FOWLR can be ok, depending on the quality of the tap water. There are other things to consider as well -- how much light is on the tank, stocking level, feeding habits of the livestock (food types / messy eaters / etc.). If the tap water quality is sub-par and some of the other factors tend to result in higher nutrient content in the water, there's definitely a likelihood of running into issues with nuissance algae. Add in a reasonable to good amount of light (for a FOWLR), and the chances are good that there'll be some type of periodic or ongoing issue with nuissance algae. In cases where the tap water quality isn't any better than just so-so, I wouldn't put myself through the extra headaches of using tap water in a FOWLR.
 
You should also consider the species to be kept in addition to stocking levels. Tougher fish like Damsels, Clowns, Chromis, an occasional Wrasse, Blenny or Jawfish - probably OK. More delicate fish (Angels, Tangs, hard-to-feed species) - you would have one more reason not to keep them.
 
My beginning of salt I used tap with prime.

The end result was algae battles that never ended. Then cyano battles that never ended.

Test the water. If it has high amount of phosphate, it is a very bad idea. Unless you purchase a Phosban Reactor and use the expensive media to remove it, you will be on a path to major problems.

Tread carefully ... If that water contains nitrates and phosphates... you are only changing out polluted water for other polluted water. What's the point of the water change then?
 
i use well water with prime and i have no nitrates or phosphates in well,. and just a we bit of alges but i have calupera in tanks and cheato in hob fudge,.. so a we bit of algea not much i have some on 1 rock that came in with it an buble algea that also came in on the rock,.. only time i get higher phosphates is when i feed to much,. cause those darn clowns are dummies,..lol i have a lawn mower blenni and 2 black ocellaris clowns and cleanup crew and a sebea anemone,.. mistake but he don't mind the water just i need better lights,..

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=195135

one thin i have is high iron content and a teeny frag of zoes that could look better,..
but all perameters are good 0amm 0nitrite 0natrate 0 phasphates,.. i test before a water change just to see, and seems fine,..
 
I use tap water with my FOWLR. You can bet your butt that I'll buy an RO unit before turning it into a reef, however.
 
These are great comments.. thanks, everyone!!
 
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