Carbon

[AFnuketroop]

I don't have a RO/DI filter so, I pretty much use straight tap water for all my water for my tank. I was wondering if I should just place a bag of carbon in my fuge overflow area to help. And if I should, should I do it constanly, or at different intervals.

 

[JustADude]

you should not use straight tap water at all, it would be best if you would just buy RO water from your local fish store,straight tap water will kill everything in your tank.
it would be another story if you was setting up a freshwater aquarium

 

[BurntOutReefer]

what he said...
however, if you insist (or have no other option) on using tap water, yes, run carbon 24/7.....
you cant get ro/di water in those silo's?

 

[AFnuketroop]

Nope

 

[clownin'round]

do you at least use prime or a water dechlorinator?

 

[AFnuketroop]

ya I use dechlor. My tank has been running for more then a year and it has show no real problems, but I can tell everything isn't as healthy as possible.

 

[BurntOutReefer]

make sure you run some PhosBan aswell.....if you can...

 

[AFnuketroop]

never heard of that stuff.

 

[BurntOutReefer]

http://www.northcoastmarines.com/cmcls.htm

 

[AFnuketroop]

Do you put that in a mesh bag and let that set 24/7 like carbon.

 

[BurntOutReefer]

yup...or in a reactor....

 

[AFnuketroop]

Thanks a lot, I'll go look for it today.

 

[BurntOutReefer]

ok...ll kidding aside..pls advise:
size of tank and do you have access to bottled water for drinking?
at the worst, use the bottled water instead of tap....

 

[angelsj247]

i get distilled water from walmart.. bout .50 cents a gallon you should get that if you cant afford ro/di

 

[clownin'round]

you can buy drinking water (green cap / ro water) from walmart for .64 per gallon. better for your tank than tap but not as good as having your own ro/di unit.

 

[povsan]

better yet you can subscribe to Alhambra and he'll even bring it to your door step LOL