Drinking water at the Grocery Store

[dzovi]

I was wondering if anyone had any experience with using the drinking water at grocery stores for their reef tank. I currently have a 29 gallon tank and Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ve been using the grocery store 29cents/gallon water for about 6 months now. I havenââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t noticed any problems but decided it was best to find out what works best for my tank. If anyone has any experience with using this water or has read anything please give me your input. Thank you.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

do they have an outside pay per gallon H2O fountain?

 

[dzovi]

Yes that is one of the options. Just bring your own container.

 

[Mykayel]

I think its perfectly fine to use that... but just calculate your costs as in the long run it might be cheaper to just buy a cheaper RO/DI unit off of ebay that will give you better quality water anyways.

 

[Dubbin1]

It is much cheaper to just buy a RO/DI unit. Figure out how much money you spend on water a year and you will be shocked. I know before I got my RO/DI that I was spending close to a grand for water :eek2:

 

[meco65]

as long as the water test ok no problem.

 

[dzovi]

Alright thanks for the responses. I'd do the calculation.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

Te outdoor systems usually have very clean RO/DI water(1-5TDS)

Problems arise when the ydon't change filters in time.....pick yourself up a Hanna TDS meter($20 online) and check the water when buying.

I you don't mind the 4 to 1 gallons of waste water get a RO/DI unit.

 

[2high]

I did a tds test on the local grocery store bulk water,that you can bring your own jug to fill. That came up 25.
I also did a tds test on gallon jugs that you buy right off the shelf and those came up anywhere from 200 to 450 tds.
So depending on your home water quality,if you get your own ro/do unit, you shuld be able to get a zero tds reading. Lot less hassle then running around also.

 

[dastratt]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6512098#post6512098 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dubbin1
It is much cheaper to just buy a RO/DI unit. Figure out how much money you spend on water a year and you will be shocked. I know before I got my RO/DI that I was spending close to a grand for water :eek2:

The way I figured it was:
.39/gal*6 gal per week* 52wks/yr = $121/yr
.29/gal at LFS= $90/yr

I've been avoiding making separate trips so far. It is a PITA to lug around water but an occasional stop by the LFS is fun anyway ...

On the other hand, doesn't installation of a RO/DI cost money? I think I would need to call a plumber, there are no water outlets in my basement? That's got me slowed down more than anything.

Plus with your own unit you have to maintain it, isn't that almost a comparable expense to the above?

I think I'd like to have one anyway for convenience ...

 

[dzovi]

The filters for the RO/DI is what keeps me buying it RO/DI at the grocery store. The cost of the unit is one thing but the maintenance is another. Also, I only have a 29-gallon tank. Not too bad.

 

[Abysswater]

Re: Drinking water at the Grocery Store

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6511922#post6511922 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dzovi
I was wondering if anyone had any experience with using the drinking water at grocery stores for their reef tank. I currently have a 29 gallon tank and Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ve been using the grocery store 29cents/gallon water for about 6 months now. I havenââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t noticed any problems but decided it was best to find out what works best for my tank. If anyone has any experience with using this water or has read anything please give me your input. Thank you.

use the distilled water, do not use the drinking water. only if you knew how the FDA approves this water you will be shocked.
I have been using distilled water with great results. I need to get a Ro/DI unit soon.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

yeah, the outside "H2O" water fountains(not the ones in schools)....you pay $0.30 a gallon & use your own refillable containers.
The only problem is that tend to get behind on filter replacement.

 

[Mykayel]

This is a cheap unit, but it will get you just as good and most likely better water than at the store and for only $100 shipped http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Reef-6st-12...432144137QQcategoryZ20684QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
On that same site, its only $20 to replace the filiters which isn't a bad idead to do about yearly, and the RO membrane about every 3 years.

And here is an adapter so that you can attach the unit to a faucet such as your kitchen sink by unscrewing the airator and screwing it in so that you don't have to mess with your plumbing at all. I use it because I rent. http://cgi.ebay.com/Faucet-adapter-...64893QQcategoryZ20756QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

 

[mcontemp]

If you use the big Glacier machines outside the store you are fine. I've been using it for years with great success. Just make sure you look at the last service date on them.

 

[jasert39]

does anyone know of what supermarkets have these glacier machines...i have been looking all over and cant seem to find any at all. Is there a national market that has a contract that any of you know of?

 

[Cutiewitbooty]

I just use distilled water for top off and buy the premixed SW for .75c gal, it is sooooo much easier (for a 10 gal anyways lol) Anything bigger than a 10-20 i would get an ro.di though.

 

[Dubbin1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6513310#post6513310 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dastratt
The way I figured it was:
.39/gal*6 gal per week* 52wks/yr = $121/yr
.29/gal at LFS= $90/yr

Does this account for both water changes and top offs?

 

[3rotorFD]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6512098#post6512098 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dubbin1
It is much cheaper to just buy a RO/DI unit. Figure out how much money you spend on water a year and you will be shocked. I know before I got my RO/DI that I was spending close to a grand for water :eek2:

:werd: