Using tap water to start my 65??

[addicted_2_reef]

I'm going for the R/O water in the morning. I don't want to take the chance. Our water is not the best.

>> masterqaz - I've been watching that thread since it was started. I'll post soon as I get it going!

 

[Marinemom]

Good choice. You will not be sorry. I used tap water to fill my 60 gallon reef to start with eight months ago and if I had it to do over again I would use ro/di water. It just makes life so much easier. As time goes on, I am using di water and it makes a world of difference.

Marinemom

 

[zemuron114]

i have never used RO/DI water for any of my tanks and i have never had hair algae or cyano. I got the diatoms at first but was soon taken care of by some snails. I dont know what my TDS is, but i know i have some sort of water conditioner installed. Im happy with my tap water so far, but will install RO/DI eventually.. lol

 

[HippieSmell]

I think you guys are too paranoid. Continually using tap isn't the best idea, but starting a tank with tap isn't a big deal. I've done it twice and it hasn't harmed a thing. The Georgia aquarium, and probably every other large aquarium uses tap; it can't be that bad.

 

[AZDesertRat]

Start it out right from the beginning. RO/DI. A lot of contaminants are cumulative meaning they don't go away they just get worse over time so don't add them to begin with.

 

[vijaym85]

I used tap and now have algae problems from the high phosphates in the tap water. ro all the way

 

[Stumped]

Even with supposedly low TDS tap water I used RO/DI to start my tank because I couldn't see the logic in cutting a corner on something that important. Worst case scenario is you're paying ~$1 US/gal to buy it from the grocery store and it costs you $60 to fill your 65g tank (after displacement and tax). When you think about it, it doesn't make much sense to spend thousands on equipment/livestock and then use something that could realistically cause you problems down the line.

 

[Ursus]

Im not waiting to buy an RO/DI to save money or cut corners, I'm just a firm believer in "if it's not broken, don't fix it." I will eventually get a unit but it is not on my list of priorities.

 

[addicted_2_reef]

I ended up going to the LFS and getting R/O for .20 a gallon. Here's a shot of the tank running...

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n30/Reef_tank_guy/58-tank003.jpg

 

[JmLee]

yeah do not use tap. Ive had three tanks so far, and if ive learned anything..... its do not start out with tap water, no mater how easier it seems.

 

[deadfish2]

I started my 72 bow with the Tap Water Filter. It works great. It've been 2 months. I don't see any algae. Make sure you add stress coat to the water to remove chlorine cand chloramines.

 

[AZDesertRat]

I'll bet you $10 your tap water filter was exhausetd the second time you used it. They are good for about 50 galons maximum and thats with good tap water. Once it is exhausted it begins to release what it has collected and actually makes the water worse.