Tap water for fowlr???

[Monster00101]

Do u need to use ro for fowlr system? I know it's essential for a reef but would like to save the hassle of collecting ro if at all possible for my new tank.

 

[fender4string]

I wouldn't do it. There are things in tap water (copper, fluoride, chlorine, etc.) that are just a bad mix for salt water tanks. Also, introducing all of the nutrients in tap water (phosphates and nitrates) will inevitably cause an unsightly algae explosion.

Honestly, an RO/DI is painless, especially if you can permanently mount it (I live in an apt. so no go for me). I recommend buying a pair of 45 gallon Brute trash cans from Home Depot. Keep fresh water in one for top offs and salt water in the other for water changes.

 

[Nighthawk31]

It really depends on what is in your tap water. I have well water that I use to mix my salt with. No problems so far, 12 years and counting.

 

[jhentr]

Reading your sig, I would agree with your own statement of 'Piece of mind is priceless'. Go with RO/DI if possible.

I know some people use tap, but they probably have good tap/well water. I just setup a 450+ gallon FOWLR and used RO/DI water to make sure I'm starting with a good base.

 

[dzfish17]

I used tap water for the initial fill of my 600g but I use RO/DI for top-off and water changes. I have a UV sterilizer on the tank which helps keep nuisance algae at bay.

 

[Monster00101]

My ro is so slow. I fill water cooler jugs but for the initial setup it takes for ever to fill the tanks lol. I had a fowler and reef before I lost my tanks due to evacuation and I used ro. When I was watching tanked on animal planet I noticed they were using tap water to fill so was kinda curious. Is there was of speeding up the ro/di unit? This thing is painfully slow. For me to fill a 5 gallon pail it takes about 4 hours.

 

[Monster00101]

If I test my water and it comes up good could I use it for the initial setup?

 

[lhm nole]

I live in Florida and the tap water here is hard and alkaline great for my fowlr tanks used it for the last 20 years never had any issues even used it on my reef tanks with no problems....I have also used ro water with great success

 

[Gill_bucket]

I use tap on my reef, really depends what your tap is like.

 

[scherzo]

My ro is so slow. I fill water cooler jugs but for the initial setup it takes for ever to fill the tanks lol. I had a fowler and reef before I lost my tanks due to evacuation .

Are you in the Stave Lake area?

 

[BrianD]

Chemical treatment levels can vary from town to town, and even from day to day in the same town. I am not sure how anyone could answer that question without obtaining a current water analysis (free from my local water company).

 

[MrTuskfish]

Chemical treatment levels can vary from town to town, and even from day to day in the same town. I am not sure how anyone could answer that question without obtaining a current water analysis (free from my local water company).

Yeah, any water company has to give you an analysis.

 

[stangd1909]

I have been using tap water for over a year now, no problems at all.

 

[duncantse]

Been using tap water for my fowlr that's been running for around 6-7 months. No algae as of today. I live in Vancouver so the water might be a bit cleaner.