Local H2O RO/DI or not?

[Kentanner11]

Some onewho ownes my LFS (who will remain nameless) doesnt use RO/DI just straight tap. What are your oppinions? They didnt even let it sit for 48 hrs to get rid of chlorine just went to the tap filled a bucket added salt poured into tank? Comments?

 

[BigDaddy]

In Tucson, the average nitrate reading for tap water is 8.3 ppm (latest water quality report) and .85 ppm of chlorine.

I know some people who don't have any problems. But, I wouldn't risk it. I've had to use tap water on occasion for emergencies. But, I use ro/di whenever I can.

It's hard enough to keep, nitrates and phosphates down in our tanks by feeding. I wouldn't recommend adding it w/ tap water.

 

[SWSaltwater]

Tucson has some really nasty water IMO, I would not drink it much less put it in my tank. I have seen some nasty algae outbreaks from failing to use good RODI. For emergencies I used Safeway drink water, made with RODI and ozone not distilled. I never trust the windmill water places since I heard some bad things on those unattended machines. Water mart has great water but it's costly at 50 cents per gallon. Water street station had a TDS of 40 at 60 cents per gallon last time I had to buy there to suppliment a large water order. They are the only ones that can pump it to a car.