Choices for water

[LaurentSeattle]

Hello there!

I am currently planning the setup of my 30 gallons mini reef aquarium and I confronted with four choices for water:

- Get natural and filtered UVA sterilized Puget Sound sea water from the Seattle Aquarium. They have very nice tanks! And that's about 6 cents a gallon. However, parking is almost impossible around there and I might end up breaking my back carrying jerrycans of sea water every week... Not sure about quality, anyone using their service? Oil spills do happen in Puget Sound, and there is lot of pollution and ferry traffic. Link: http://www.seattleaquarium.org/about/sales/

- Purchase ready made artificial sea water from RO only (no DI) water and artificial salt from the LFS in Issaquah for 1$ a gallon. That's 20 miles away in bad traffic from my place one way... and therefore expensive in time, gas and sanity

- Purchase RO purified water at 50 cents a gallon from the very same LFS and make sea water in the "confort" of my bathroom... I am saving some bucks but no time nor sanity.

- Purchase a RO/DI unit for about $150, sweat on stupid plumbing issues and make my own artificial sea water, again in my bathroom. I hate plumbing...

What's best?

If there are any other alternative, please please please elaborate!

 

[SeanT]

My vote is to go with the RODI and, on occassion, whenever you can, treat your tank to some filtered NSW.

 

[LaurentSeattle]

Any other opinions?

 

[drummereef]

Buy your own RO/DI. The plumbing is simple. Then you'll know for sure the water is free of impurities, 0tds, etc... And, you'll save a bit of cash in the long run.

 

[LaurentSeattle]

Allright I purchased my Ro/Di systems from the Filter Guys, they have very good reviews on the "Vendor Experience" Forum.

That said, sorry for the noob question, but...

Why RO/DI is recommended if natural water is a "treat"?

Thanks

 

[drummereef]

You won't be sorry with The Filter Guys. Very good choice. And they have great customer service. I just talked with Jim today actually. Nice guy. What you are looking for in pure water is 0 TDS. RO/DI water basically strips the water of impurities. It will help to limit nutrients that cause algae blooms etc... Believe me, it was the right choice.

Did you buy a TDS meter with it?

Here's a good article why we choose "pure" water over tap.

Tap Water in Reef Aquaria
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2004/chem.htm