Is aged tap water OK for tank???

acrouse

acrouse

New member
I have read and learned alot on this forum as a beginner, however I am now confused about adding water to my new system (water changes). The LFS and some reading materials have said it is fine to use tap water that has aged (1-2 weeks). Making sure the salinity, temp, etc. are the same before adding it to the tank. (no chemicals added). Now I'm reading these threads that say only distilled or RO/DI water is the way to go to avoid problems with algea from excess nutrients?? Is this necessary or am I setting myself up for a big disappointment by using aged tap water??

I have a 100 gallon LR, LS, no fish yet, corals in the future!
 
One of the best investments I have ever made was an RO. I immediatly saw a reduction in algae and nutrients. I doubt the credibility of the "aged tap water" thing. All thats gonna happen is you might get some condensation on the lid of the container. Just my opinion.
 
I don't think aging tapwater that way will have any noticeable effect if your water is treated with chloramine. Aging won't ever remove various ions, etc, I want to keep out of my tank.
 
What does the chloramine do to the water, fish, corals, etc.? Isn't it best to stay away from chemicals? I'm still learning and have a long way to go!

thanks again jolene
 
I think using aged tap water would be fine for a FOWLR tank, but if you are going to go reef or if you have poor city water or well water I would get an RO/DI unit. I also have read about the aged tap water and as long as you age it and keep it aerated for atleast a week it will be fine.

When I first got into saltwater all I used was tap water and never had a problem. Using the RO/DI water it is alot quicker though, of course this has been my experience.HTH
 
What is the idea behind this "aged tap water" thing? I don't see how aging it can help. Am I missing something?
 
water

water

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7008829#post7008829 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by keithntracy
i get my ro water from my lfs at $1.25 for 5 gallons....rather pay that then have probs!
Click to expand...

My lfs has fresh ro/di for 50 cents. Saltwater for a $1.
 
With the aging of the water you dont have to use any chemicals, its only when you use the tap water right away that you need to treat for clorine or cloramine. Like I said before I would only use this way for a FO system not a Reef.
 
Remember I am a beginner and doing a lot of reading before I started, however I learned about aging tap water in Robert M. Fenner's (The Conscientious Marine Aquarist) and he says that if you do not have terrible well or city water, you can age it in (ex.clean,plastic garbage can) as long as you aerate or circulate for at least a week it is safe to use! This book has been very informative as a beginner!

thanks jolene
 
If you can fit a ro/di into the budget it will pay for itself. :thumbsup:
Chloramine is a stable form of clorine put in city water to kill bacteria or organics,so when you take a drink you don't get sick.So, it has the same effect on tank inhabitants.Only a detoxifier can render it safe.(other than a ro/di)
An ro/di will also remove heavy metals.(ie.copper,lead...)
Clay
 
Does the ro/di have to be beside the tank? or do you just get the water out of it that you need for your tank? sorry if its a dumb question-I have not been able to find a picture to see how one is hooked up.
Thanks jolene
 
Right, Clay. Thats what i'm talking about. Letting water sit around is not going to completely purify it in any way. What, if anything, would aging water get rid of???
 
Chloramine is a replacement for the chlorine that formerly was used to kill bacteria, etc, and keep the tapwater disinfected until consumption. Chloramine does not outgas from the water as chlorine does, and decays into ammonia, which is toxic to fish. I wouldn't use tapwater in any kind of tank without some sort of pretreatment, unless I was sure there was no chloramine in use.

Tapwater works for some people, and causes serious problems for others. Some tapwater test results from city authorities show levels of copper that are lethal to many invertebrates. There are lots of other contaminants possible as well. I personally use only RO-DI water.
 
No the ro/di unit does not have to next to the tank. Just near a water source, I keep mine by the washer & dryer. I have heard of others that hook them up under thier kitchen sink as well.
 
Sorry-the book doesn't list specific elements, only that the municipal sanitizers added to your local water should not effect livestock if the water circulates for a week, if tap water has to be used right away, he suggests using a dechlorinator/dechloraminator. It sounds like he puts more emphasis on the quality of skimmer, feeding, and supplementing habits than water source..

This is only one option, thats why I have asked on this forum as a lot of people have valuable years of experience.
thanks jolene
 
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