question about tap water quality..

[NanoReefWanabe]

i was tinkering with my test kit today just trying to get the hang of using it..

anyway, i have decided that i am just going to use conditioned tap water for my 20 gallon tank

during testing my tap water has a
PH of 7.5
and a hardness of 13 (pretty hard)
those where the only fresh water tests that came in my kit though..

since hard water is made so by disolved minerals..i am just wondering if i should take it somewhere to find out exactly what is in the water...?

or just considermyself lucky that i have a good amount of trace elements predisolved into the water?

i know that calcium, lime and manganese are all relatively high considering the nasty stains that build up in my dishwasher, and on my shower head...these are good trace elements though, right?

 

[drummereef]

There's many things in tap water that are not desirable for reef tanks. If you haven't, check out this article. There's no substitute for a good RO/DI unit.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2004/chem.htm

 

[july865]

go to you local water authorities webpage. there you will find EVERYTHING that is in your water. its by law they have to do that. you will be very surprized to find whats in the water.
IMO never use tap water. even if you treat it. use an RO/DI even the cheaper ones will work for now untill you gather more funds and experience..
GL