Cycling tank with tap water.

[itz frank]

I filled my tank in my garage with tap water from the hose to check for leaks and set plumbing.

The tank will eventually be moved into the house but in the mean time I need somewhere to cycle live and dead rock.

Lights aren't running on the tank yet.

Are there any issues if I wanted to start my cycle with this water. Yes, I need to add salt. I just don't feel like draining the system and filling wth RO.

The water will be dumped and replaced when it comes time to move it inside with fresh salt water.

 

[CStrickland]

The issues would mostly be stuff from the water soaking into the rocks and then leaching into your tank. Copper from the pipes can interfere with coral later. Phosphates in the water can fertilize algae. Probably other stuff too.

Also, I wonder if chlorine/chloramine/other antiseptics might interfere with your good bacteria growing.

 

[gone fishin]

Personally I would just fill it with RO/DI and start the cycle and I agree with what Cstrickland posted.

 

[MondoBongo]

Personally I would just fill it with RO/DI and start the cycle and I agree with what Cstrickland posted.

make that a +2.

there's too much potential for long term issues for the short term gain here. if something were to become a problem down the road, it's much harder to disassemble a running tank with livestock in it, than it is to empty and refill a new one that's not entirely set up yet.

 

[Heatherabel3]

Not being ugly here at all, but if this is a question because you "just don't feel like dumping it" you are going to have a long road ahead of you. Shortcuts in this hobby will get you problems super fast.

 

[itz frank]

Not being ugly here at all, but if this is a question because you "just don't feel like dumping it" you are going to have a long road ahead of you. Shortcuts in this hobby will get you problems super fast.

Hence the question before doing it.

Just wasn't sure if it would hold repercussions for cycling. But if I'll carry problems forward than it isn't worth it. Just wasn't sure about what it could cause.

 

[SLOreefer805]

With this hobby its all about doing it right the first time. Please avoid taking shortcuts, it will cost you in the end. And as you probably know, this hobby can be expensive.