Anybody using treated tapwater ?

[scarysdad]

I am planning a FOWLR set up and am getting very confused about the issue of treated tapwater vs RO. I want to avoid getting an RO unit if poss but if I must I must. I currently use Prime when changing water in my FW tanks so if I go the tap water route I would obviously continue using this excellent dechlorinator, I would also add a SW buffer(my tap water is ph 7.6 so a little on the low side and very hard). I also use Algone and Purigen for NO3 level control and find them excellent my 255gal FW has over 20 large messy fish and my NO3 is never above 5ppm; doing weekly 20% w/c s. I have been told that the other main reason for RO is phosphates so what if I use Phosban or some other product in a cannister filter ?I will also be using a UV sreiliser on the return from the cannister.... Its not so much the expense of an RO unit its the space I will require....Also buying the water is not an option as I only get to the 'Marine' lfs once per month as its quite some distance away...

Anybody out there running a FOWLR on tapwater ?

 

[Juggler]

i use prime to treat my water.

i have a 180 FOWLR i do the old 5g bucket thing and my back murders me.

 

[scarysdad]

Beautiful tank Juggler.......

Exactly what i'm shooting for....so no issues with tap + Prime ?

I hear ya' I have 7 FW tanks I must lug 100's buckets and basins every week... keeps you fit tho...

 

[WuHT]

i am using tub water w/o prime or any treatment. Though i leave my water to sit for about a day or whenever i feel like topping off /changing.

 

[danorth]

I use tap water with Prime as well. I don't think it is the way to go for reefs, but my anemone doesn't care about it. I do think a fuge with chaeto and a super skimmer will help keep things looking nice on the rock though....but I haven't ever grown coraline so who am I to say.

 

[niles1967]

Tap water, Prime, Instant Ocean and buffer has done well for my FO. As for the 5 gallon bucket drill: My back started bothering me too with that nonsense. Now I have two 44 gallon plastic garbage cans on dollys. I just ease them over to the tank (water heated and ready to go, and dunk an Eheim pump with hose into it and just plug'er in. No pain, no strain and no violent water turbulance. (I have a sand bottom). Makes water changing very easy and very little clean up.

 

[TheSaltwaterGuy]

I use conditioned tap water, even though I shouldn't with sharks. Nothing in the tank seems to be bothered by me doing so, so until that happens, I'll continue to use it.

 

[scarysdad]

thanks guys good to know I am not way off the mark. I have been shot down on every other forum for even thinking of going RO less....

My current plan for the tank is to let it cycle with the LR and live sand and run my cannister full of all the chemical media I always have on hand ie Prime, Algone, Rowaphos(I will check my tapwater first to see if there actually are any phosphates since I have never used this before); so by the time the tank is cycled the water should perfect.

Then on w/c day I will fill my 5 gallon bucket add Prime and salt the run an old power filter(1200 lph) containing the same chemical media and some activated carbon in the bucket for a couple of hours before changing the water; then 'rinse and repeat'. For all I have researched RO I honestly can't see what it removes that I am not removing using the above method ?
I'll probably still get flamed tho'

 

[kirkaz]

Adding my 2 cents, I also use treated tap and always have....make sure and age your water before you add it, and having a good UV helps keep algae down.....FYI noted author Bob Fenner says tap water is just fine particularly in FO systems.

Awesome Harly Tusk there Juggler.

 

[scarysdad]

You don't give golf tips too do'ya Kirkaz.....my driving sucks lol....going to get me a Callaway 'Big Bertha' this year.....I think my biggest problems arise from the fact that I'm left handed but can't play golf that way dosen't feel right. I'm 238 lbs with 19" arms lucky if I can hit 150 yds lol

 

[kirkaz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12281648#post12281648 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scarysdad
You don't give golf tips too do'ya Kirkaz.....my driving sucks lol....going to get me a Callaway 'Big Bertha' this year.....I think my biggest problems arise from the fact that I'm left handed but can't play golf that way dosen't feel right. I'm 238 lbs with 19" arms lucky if I can hit 150 yds lol

LOL...I will tell you one thing, I would love to come to Scotland and have a look at your swing...Someday I will make my way to the birthplace of golf, hopefully someday soon....Is it easy to get saltwater fish there?

 

[ladyshark]

Niles, why add the buffer (assume your tap is acidic?) and what buffer do you use, how much, etc.? If you don't mind sharing....

Also, not to hijack the thread, but its very related. What about using well water that has been softened with water softner, and has rust? Just curious what you think

THANKS

 

[scarysdad]

Kirkaz going to make you jealous here I live in Fife half an hours drive away from St Andrews; I have 2 excellent links courses 20 mins walk from the house.....

Back to fish I am actually pretty lucky my lfs specialises in Marines and has a good selection of fish and corals. We also have a couple of good mail order sources which provide excellent courier services. Prices are reasonable I think eg a Clown Trigger will set you back 50 pounds which is around $100

 

[niles1967]

Ladyshark,

I use Kent Marine buffer every two weeks because , as a strict f/o tank, it is safe to keep the salinity at 0.018. The only drawback is that the ph is a little less stable at the lower salinity and the buffer keeps it just right. I use half the dosage and I have never had a ph problem.

As for well water, I haven't a clue. well, well ,well......

 

[ladyshark]

Well, niles, that's all well and good, but, well, ----ok, I will stop with the bad puns.

I am having ph issues, but will start a new thread and not keep hijacking this one.

 

[JamesJR]

Just remember to that tap water can vary a lot. I have been using conditioned tap water for years and I have had lots of trouble with my tank lately.

 

[ric221]

i used tap when my ro/di unit needed filter and di changes. had a big out break of hair algae