Tap water for QT tank

[xenon]

I need to QT all my fish next week.

I got another ich outbreak. I don't want to bother using RO/DI water for a QT tank. It would be a total waste IMO.

What do I need to treat my tap water with?

I get an average TDS reading of of 60ppm.

 

[horwitzs]

Why would it be a waste? In my opnion, you are trying to nurse them back to health so that would be the MOST important time to treat them to pure RO/DI water.

 

[xenon]

Well a TDS reading for 60ppm is actually quite good for tap water.

Besides, it's not like it effects them in any way. We use ro/di water for corals and to keep algee from growing.

 

[xenon]

I was thinking about using SeaChem Prime water conditioner additive.

Prime® is a complete conditioner for both marine and freshwater use that removes chlorine, chloramine, and detoxifies ammonia and nitrite.

It also provides essential ions and stimulates natural slime coat. It will also detoxify any heavy metals found in the tap water at typical concenration levels.

Prime® also enhances nitrate removal. It should be the first choice conditioner when setting up a new tank, adding, or changing water. No other product is required to make water safe, even in high chloramine situations.

Unlike competing products, Prime® does not cause a pH drop or over-activate skimmers.

 

[reefergeorge]

I always use rodi and prime while Qting, but I use a 20 so it's no big deal.

 

[emoore]

I use Prime for my freshwater tanks. It works well.

 

[xenon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11930639#post11930639 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefergeorge
I always use rodi and prime while Qting, but I use a 20 so it's no big deal.

Why would you use prime if you use ro/di water?

 

[Tommy3492]

how big is your QT tank? i think if you use the chemicals it should be fine, but why take the risk?

 

[reefergeorge]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11930697#post11930697 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xenon
Why would you use prime if you use ro/di water?

It helps with the ammonia.

 

[xenon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11930718#post11930718 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tommy3492
how big is your QT tank? i think if you use the chemicals it should be fine, but why take the risk?

55g

 

[demonsp]

If you ever have problems will you be able to rule out water source. Probably not. For a succesfull reef aquarium you want as much control as possible.Water source is a major area where control is possible unless tap is used.
Get a koi pond.

 

[AZDesertRat]

I use RO/DI for everything. Its not a waste and it gives me peace of mind since I have no control over the tap water quality. Conditioners bind things but they do not remove them.

 

[JustinReef]

I have always used tap for my QT and never had a problem. I use prime as well. We do only have about 14 tds water here though from the tap.

Many, many FOWLR tanks use only tap water all the time and the fish are absolutely fine.

 

[xenon]

I was not asking if it would be ok to use tap water in my qt tank I was asking what I should use to treat the tap water before using it.

Thanks for the help but I basically answered my own question.

 

[demonsp]

If your answer was to do what you want then your right.
Your QT'ing these fish whene they are most volrible and in most need of quality conditions. Many carry fungases or even ich and with inproper water conditions will stress and could get an outbreak.IMO its more imprtant in a QT tank then your main tank.