ro water
- Thread starter x1crt
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Kozmo's Reef
In Memoriam
Disolved solids such as organics and metals. Some people do use tap water and have had some success. The big problem is with the makeup water, these solids do not evaporate so you just keep adding more fuel to the fire. You can get atap water DI unit for about 40.00, or get an RO unit on ebay for less than 100.00.
Koz
Koz
Gtstricky
New member
tap water = bad
With a 155 gal you need a real RO/DI unit. There are a few sponsors here that have great ones. I used www.thefilterguys.biz and got great service.
See the FAQ page at:
http://reefcentral.com/modules.php?s=&name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=2
With a 155 gal you need a real RO/DI unit. There are a few sponsors here that have great ones. I used www.thefilterguys.biz and got great service.
See the FAQ page at:
http://reefcentral.com/modules.php?s=&name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=2
SCIFI_3D_zoo
New member
I think people, are tight on money, or sick of spending so much on this hobby... so we all try to cut corners and get only what is necessary. However, this is a necessity. $100 bucks will be a lot less than dead livestock, or your time ripping your rock out and scrubbing algae off it.
DLANDINO
D.L. Heritage Rings
Using tap water will probably eventually make you quit the hobby. You will end up with terrible algae problems and the inability to keep your water chemistry constant. This will likely cause death of your inhabitants and more frustration than it is worth on your part. RO/DI units are fairly affordable considering all of the money that you have likely already sunk into your venture.
I just picked up a "Mighty Might" from Air Water and Ice for under $100. This delivers 1 gallon per hour and for my small system it is fine for my needs. You may have to splurge a bit more for yours seeing as you have a 155 but the difference will not be all that much. If you are looking for long term success you should travel this path. However, if it is only RO water you are looking for you can try Walmart. They have it with a green label and it will say "processed by reverse osmosis". This water is usually between 0 tds and up to 12 in my past experience even with the walmart RO water I found that I would have algae problems. Good luck.
I just picked up a "Mighty Might" from Air Water and Ice for under $100. This delivers 1 gallon per hour and for my small system it is fine for my needs. You may have to splurge a bit more for yours seeing as you have a 155 but the difference will not be all that much. If you are looking for long term success you should travel this path. However, if it is only RO water you are looking for you can try Walmart. They have it with a green label and it will say "processed by reverse osmosis". This water is usually between 0 tds and up to 12 in my past experience even with the walmart RO water I found that I would have algae problems. Good luck.
AZDesertRat
In Memoriam
www.buckeyefieldsupply.com 75GPD Premium. It comes with everything including a nice handheld TDS meter for $169. They are also a RC Sponsor and take care of their customers.
StephenInVa
New member
I just got this one from Air Water & Ice and installed it in my office. Happy with it so far and the installation was a breeze. Even got an upgrade on the TDS meter for free. It's also a heck of a lot better made than the Pinnacle unit I have in my home. It was $180.00 shipped with a add-on pressure gauge and 10% discount. I'll be ordering another or larger model from them when I feel like replacing my Pinnacle unit.
COMPACT III (5) Stage R.O.D.I. Reefkeeper with DI Bypass & Handheld TDS Meter
COMPACT III (5) Stage R.O.D.I. Reefkeeper with DI Bypass & Handheld TDS Meter
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I discuss my concern with tap water in the link below. It works for some people, and not for others. You won't know until you find out on your own system. Copper is my biggest concern for many reefers and their tap water.
Tap Water in Reef Aquaria
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2004/chem.htm
Tap Water in Reef Aquaria
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2004/chem.htm
grimmjohn
New member
The biggest problem with tap water in a reef tank is that your nitrates start out higher than they would with rodi...you can't get your nitrates lower than what is in your tap water...well not without growing lots of algae anyway. Your baseline nitrate levels could be 25 instead of 0.
Though around here our water has a TDS of 50 right out of the tap and nitrates less than 5, so many people with mixed reefs and FO tanks use it with no problems. You may or may not be so lucky though.
Though around here our water has a TDS of 50 right out of the tap and nitrates less than 5, so many people with mixed reefs and FO tanks use it with no problems. You may or may not be so lucky though.
xxxluisxxx
New member
i actually just got my RO/DI system 4 days ago from http://www.buckeyefieldsupply.com/. they are awsome, like AZDesertRat said the 75gal premium is a good buy, thats the one i got. comes with all the fittings and a nice hand held meter. i bought some extra hose and a fitting to go on my washing machine and it works great. everything came to $197 shipped. it is a little expensive but well worth it. i was using tap water for a while and always, always having to siphon the sand for algea and do water changes. since i have been putting RO water in i have see little to no algea growing on the sand bed. PM me if you need some more info on the RO/DI system. good luck
