differences in water?

[venom00viper]

Hey I was just courious. what is the difference in distilled water, purified water, and ro/di water or anyother water bought at the store. Are they all safe for the reef tank? I am currently buying ro/di at a lfs. Time doesn't always allow me to get the water when I need. wondering if I could top offf with over water if needed. Thanks for the input!

-ben

 

[mrcrab]

Distilled should have no impurities whatsoever. I've used it as top off before but it's expensive. I'd be leery of purified.

 

[lifesworksataol]

same - anything is better than tap - but tap isnt the worst either if you have to use it (well in some areas) better then burning up a motor - how about floating a gallon zip lock bag or putting a huge stone or something big and heavy in there to take up some space until you can get to your lfs - reef works is so cheap on water i just bought a bunch of those 5 gallon buckets off them and have them just sitting around

 

[TheGrog]

Distilled is boiled through a series of filters so that the water that comes out is 100% pure.

RO/DI is filtered through mechanical & chemical filters that make it 100% pure and without any ionization (charged molecules).

"purified" water is just run through filters to remove anything like lead or chlorine for drinking.

Now, RO/DI is the best for reefs. You can use distilled, but it is expensive. If in an emergency, purified is better than ordinary tap.

I have, however, used the filtered water from a grocery store in the past. The kind where you bring the 5-gal jugs and fill it there. I put my TDS meter on it and got a reading of 3ppm!!! That is about as good as it gets. Just depends on the store though I guess but it is not a bad source of water if needed.

 

[mrcrab]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10056043#post10056043 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TheGrog

I have, however, used the filtered water from a grocery store in the past. The kind where you bring the 5-gal jugs and fill it there. I put my TDS meter on it and got a reading of 3ppm!!! That is about as good as it gets. Just depends on the store though I guess but it is not a bad source of water if needed.

I've used the store stuff too without issue. The best thing is to check the service date, sticker on front of the machine, and fill it the day after it's serviced.

Barry

 

[InLimbo87]

The reason some say not to use distilled is because at one point the distilled water was distilled and stored often in copper canisters. That was a while ago, though, so now the distilled water should be a-ok (i used it for my nano a while back and everything went well).

 

[venom00viper]

Thanks for the input. that is exactly what I was looking for. I believe my LFS is a bit hight on the RO/DI. $1 a gal. and $1.25 salt gal. Thanks again!

-ben

 

[plyle02]

Ben,
I would pick up an inexpensive TDS meter, and test it before any water hits the tank... If it does not test zero, it does not go in my tank....JME... I would think any water that does not test for TDS to be ok, just my thoughts.

 

[mflamb]

Why not go to SITC and get one of their RO/DI units from Aqua FX???

 

[venom00viper]

I would love to have a Rodi unit but I am renting my condo and no room to put it anywhere I want to get one when I get a house and I am free to do the plumbing. until then I guess I gotta buy water. thanks for the input guys.

-ben

 

[plyle02]

Ben,
I use one right from the kitchen sink, psi at 60, not problems....Just a thought......Otherwise, I still would get a TDS meter, that way you are certain. Good luck...

 

[InLimbo87]

I use mine hooked off of the kitchen sink also, but definitely plan on hooking it off of the washer when I move into my new place. It takes me way too long to fill up a 5 gallon bucket with the sink (probably just not enough pressure I assume).

 

[InLimbo87]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10062270#post10062270 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by venom00viper
Thanks for the input. that is exactly what I was looking for. I believe my LFS is a bit hight on the RO/DI. $1 a gal. and $1.25 salt gal. Thanks again!

-ben

And, wow, that is a pretty high cost for just some filtered water. I would check out some other lfs' in the area if you are going to continue that route. You can definitely find some good water for cheaper than that (just get a handheld tds meter to ensure its good).

 

[plyle02]

InLimbo87,
I agree 100%. This has by far, been the best investment I have made for my tank. It's also nice to bypass the di filter and make yourself a glass of water.....lol....

 

[venom00viper]

thanks everyone for the input. what should I expect to pay for Water at my LFS? I live in metrowest and there are not very many stores close by. Thanks!

-ben

 

[plyle02]

I have bought water for cheap at the health food stores, most have a RO unit, I would get it for about $5 for 12 gallons, something like that. Then you can mix your own salt. Again, a handheld TDS meter, to check the water, just to be safe. Just another alternative.....Good luck Ben......

 

[tangers]

I also live in an apartment, and have a rodi. I did connect mine to the washer though. The only thing I will have to do when I leave is patch the twol screw holes in the wall when I leave, and that's only because I chose to mount mine on the wall. Other than that you would never be able to tell it was there.

 

[InLimbo87]

I would think a more reasonable price for RO/DI water from a LFS would be somewhere between 35-50 cents/gallon. I know the little Culligan RO machines are normally around 25 cents per gallon but you have to be careful with those. Most have a maintenance record, and of course having your own TDS meter would help verify whether it is safe or not.

 

[tangers]

Also agree with everyone else, this is by far probably the best investment I made for my tank so far.