bluetang22
New member
what do i need add in if i mix salt with tap water. Please help
Tap water
- Thread starter bluetang22
- Start date
andrewarrington
New member
Using tap water will only cause you problems. If you don't have RO/DI unit, look for the Ozarka bottle refill stations. Worst comes to worse buy water buy the gallon.
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
What sort of livestock do you have in the tank? What brand of salt mix are you using? What are the levels like on your tap water?
Using tap water isn't really recommended in this hobby. Unlike freshwater there isn't a de-chlorinator product to make tap water "acceptable".
Most of us are using RO/DI units to remove unwanted nutrients/phosphates/metals which are present in tap water.
RO/DI units run around $150, but its money well spent. It will save you lots of algae related problems.
If that isn't within your budget, depending on your tank size you can use distilled water from the food store, or some Local Fish Stores will sell you RO water.
Most of us are using RO/DI units to remove unwanted nutrients/phosphates/metals which are present in tap water.
RO/DI units run around $150, but its money well spent. It will save you lots of algae related problems.
If that isn't within your budget, depending on your tank size you can use distilled water from the food store, or some Local Fish Stores will sell you RO water.
bluetang22
New member
thank you for your info, i know its bad just try to cut corner due to i can't hook up RO/DI, my filter not close by water source.my tank is new setup there is no water.
aquadonkey
New member
On this topic..... what about a lesser filter? Will that be beneficial at all? I have been using tap water filtered through my brita filter in my tank (about 5 weeks into cycling) on the recommendation of my lfs. Does this small filter help at all?
if you need massive amounts of RO water to get the tank up and running, most LFS sell RO and even salt mixed RO water by the gallon. The ones around here also have jugs and up to 65 gallon tanks to haul the water home with (They rent the 65 gallon tank)
Tap water only in the most dire of reasons.
Tap water only in the most dire of reasons.
I use well water for mine and couldnt figure out why my calcium and alkalinity levels were always so high when I wasnt adding anything for it. I sent a sample off to be test and just got the results yesterday and found out that my well water has very high calcium, phosphate and alkalinity levels. My next purchase in this hobby will be an RO/DI unit.
Chris27
New member
If you absolutely have to use tap water right now, you'll want to use Instant Ocean Salt, as it's specifically made to be mixed with tap water. Using a salt that was developed for RO or DI water with tap water has a chance of being ionically imbalanced. Meaning that, your calcium and alk could possibly be out of whack due to the large amounts of calcium found normally found in tap water - this can lead to pH problems and premature calcium precipitation on pumps and heaters.
Additionally, use of a product like Seachem Prime, will detoxify metals, and break down chlorine. I would also recommend that you employ some sort of Activated Carbon that is changed out every week - it will help keep the bad stuff at bay for a little while.
Additionally, use of a product like Seachem Prime, will detoxify metals, and break down chlorine. I would also recommend that you employ some sort of Activated Carbon that is changed out every week - it will help keep the bad stuff at bay for a little while.
I couldn't agree more. Since this is a new setup, there's even more of a reason to use RO water. Think about how long it will take to "replace" all of that tap water doing weekly water changes.
If you do have the RO/DI, set it up. There are a number of creative ways to set it up even though your tank isn't near a water source. Some people are using a faucet adapter because they're in an apartment and don't want to put any holes in the plumbing.
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
Many RO/DI system vendors sell adaptors made to be temporary for situations where you don't want a permanent install - they just screw on to a sink aerator or hose barb. Then you can make a few buckets of water, carry them to the tank, and break the filter down.
It'll help, but minimally. It'll probably remove some of the chlorine and particulates, but much of what we are concerned about as reef keepers will still be in the water (nitrate, phosphate, etc.)
In the end, tap water can work fine for some people in some cases, but it's absolutely like gambling, since quality can change from day to day, and it's hard or impossible to test for EVERY single contaminant that might be harmful to your tank. Hence, it's preferable to use RO/DI water, because it gives you far more control over what is or isn't in the tank's water.
arredondojason
New member
I have the same problem what i did was drilled a whole in the floor and ran a long line from my kitchen to my tank in the living room under the house or you can run it and cover it with area rugs. You can get the longer line at HD or lowes and it is only like $.012 per ft.:thumbsup:
it is the 1/4" line like they use to hook up ice makers on friges.
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
Have a source for that? I've never heard it mentioned, after using IO for years.
Though, I understand the logic of your argument, since IO is slightly lower in some major minerals that may be present in tap water. Still though, it's only a generalization, since some tap water is very soft. If someone were to use tap water, rather than suggest a particular approach for salt, IMHO it would be more prudent to suggest that the person test major elements in their tap and mixed salt water (calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, etc.) and adjust as necessary, regardless of which brand of salt was used.
EllieSuz
Premium Member
I purchased a RO/DI unit from a RC sponsor, Air, Water, Ice. It's called the Mighty Mite and it's fully portable and can be used on a kitchen or utility sink and removed and stored when not in use. Click on the sponsor forum and look this unit up. Works like gangbusters. If memory serves me, it was $109.00 plus shipping. Worth every penny.
bluetang22
New member
what i meant was water pipe, sorry Der Wille i thought you mean me.
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lighthouze08
Member
+1 with the ro/di unit, you can get one on bulkreefsupply for a very reasonable price
If you absolutely have to use tap water right now, you'll want to use Instant Ocean Salt, as it's specifically made to be mixed with tap water. Using a salt that was developed for RO or DI water with tap water has a chance of being ionically imbalanced.
I disagree. Any salt mix is equally good, as long as you deal with chlorine or chloramine in the tap water. IO is not specially "designed" for tap water, and even if they once claimed that, it makes no sense since what is in tap water varies drastically from one place to another.
I disagree. Any salt mix is equally good, as long as you deal with chlorine or chloramine in the tap water. IO is not specially "designed" for tap water, and even if they once claimed that, it makes no sense since what is in tap water varies drastically from one place to another.
