how important is DI water?
- Thread starter Boom215
- Start date
I was going to say the same thing but hesitated.
Years ago I was in a local reef club, one member always had tons of corals (stony too) to trade, give away or sometimes sell. He always donated real nice frags for the raffles too. He said many times over he uses water right out of the faucet and has well water.
CrayolaViolence
New member
I have well water and do not use an RODI system. However I have had my water tested for heavy metals etc. I did used RODI water for a while from my LFS but my tank did very poorly on it. Now I wonder if it's because they lacked chloramine filters or something since they used tap water. Either way, as others have said, it depends on your water source.
Depends on your tap water. Here's a system that's been getting tap treated with dechlorinator for 9 years:
http://youtu.be/-eCQSVdqBQA.
And my first skimmerless system has only had RO used:
http://youtu.be/5AnmQXmE8d0
http://youtu.be/-eCQSVdqBQA.
And my first skimmerless system has only had RO used:
http://youtu.be/5AnmQXmE8d0
RobZilla04
Active member
It's a must IMO. Only other option is to go to your LFS and get prepared water. Still doesn't help with rip offs though.
bif24701
New member
I consider an RO/DI system an absolute must. Making your own water is not only convenient but might be necessary if you need to do a lot of water changes due to an emergency. Also bad starting water is the #1 problem for most beginners that creates some many problems that most get out of the hobby due to frustration.
Just get one! Know how to use and maintain it.
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Just get one! Know how to use and maintain it.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
SFish
New member
I would recommend using RO/DI water. Once you get a handle on what your doing then if you want you can investigate using tap water. More people use RO/DI then tap water because of the risks involved. You could hold off on buying filter and just buy water for a while it will be a bit of a pain but it can be done.
I dont think the tapwater defenders are thinking it through.
According to WHO data, basically all tapwater has levels of copper in it that are nearly toxic for most marine animals. Of course they do -- all tapwater goes through copper pipes, regardless of whether its city water or well water.
I suspect everyone using tapwater for their tanks is suffering a gradual buildup of copper in their systems that depending on their water change schedule and initial concentrations, will eventually become a problem.
Copper is so toxic, I wouldnt think of using water that came from a copper pipe in a fish tank. Its toxic at levels we cant easily detect with home tests even if we were testing for it.
According to WHO data, basically all tapwater has levels of copper in it that are nearly toxic for most marine animals. Of course they do -- all tapwater goes through copper pipes, regardless of whether its city water or well water.
I suspect everyone using tapwater for their tanks is suffering a gradual buildup of copper in their systems that depending on their water change schedule and initial concentrations, will eventually become a problem.
Copper is so toxic, I wouldnt think of using water that came from a copper pipe in a fish tank. Its toxic at levels we cant easily detect with home tests even if we were testing for it.
In my example the guy was using well water. Tap water and well water are really 2 different things. I believe tap water is treated and would not say use that. Well water can be bad too and also change as time goes by, I assume the guy in my example tested his well water from time to time.
Well water goes through copper pipes just like city water. Its entirely possible theres someone out there with negligibly low Cu levels in their tapwater. I doubt it but cant rule it out.
All I'm saying is theres no reason in principle why well water would be Cu free. I'm on a well and wouldnt dream of putting that stuff in my tank
All I'm saying is theres no reason in principle why well water would be Cu free. I'm on a well and wouldnt dream of putting that stuff in my tank
Well water goes through copper pipes just like city water. Its entirely possible theres someone out there with negligibly low Cu levels in their tapwater. I doubt it but cant rule it out.
All I'm saying is theres no reason in principle why well water would be Cu free. I'm on a well and wouldnt dream of putting that stuff in my tank
It can, I have well water and the fittings are brass and PVC but I do have copper pipe in the rest of the house, some newer homes are all PVC. But I use a RO/DI unit because I am not sure about what is in my water.
My point was it is possible to use well water and have an incredible coral collection but unless you are sure what is in your water I agree best to filter it. This guy used well water and more corals than he knew what to do with.
DM and the Boys
Member
Most likely necessary....plus it's use removes an unknown value if/when something goes wrong down the road and you need to identify the issue.
CrayolaViolence
New member
Most pipes now are PVC, not copper.
Having said that. I don't think anyone here is defending tap water. Rather it was asked if RODI is a must. Myself and others who have not had any issues, have chimed in. I've been very fortunate with corals. Like I said, my growth and color and success has been much higher since I stopped using the local LFS's RODI water. That's just my experience. On this well. I can promise you if the water I used came from the well of my first home everything would have been dead since the well tapped into a massive underground river that ran right through the copper mines.
This well however doesn't do that.
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