Water Changes Idea - will it work?

NeedBiggerTank

NeedBiggerTank

Not Likely 2 Ever Grow Up
OK - so my water source isn't ideal... alright, so its not even close. That TDS meter we picked up a month or so ago was a real eye opener (I'm so embarrassed at the reading I got that I can't even share it with you).

So, the fact that we used the same well water for almost 7 years for our Tanganikan Cichlids without a single issue - with Duboisies, Leleupies, Julies, etc. all breeding like little bunny rabbits should not have been a good indicator that it would be OK for saltwater. Lesson learned.

Our hair algae problem and the mysterious snail deaths can almost certainly be attributed to our water quality - since we have addressed all other issues.

So, we obviously need to get the water replaced that is in the tank. The question is, how much water can you take out at a time without serious consequences? Are lots of smaller water changes better than a few larger ones?

This is our plan:

1) Do a 15 gallon water change tonight using Walmart "Drinking water" (bought some and it tests at 5 on the TDS meter - also bought a gallon of Culligan and it tested at 175!).

2) order 25 gallons pre-mixed from AC and do 25 gallon water change each weekend for the next 4 weeks.

3) get a whole-house filtration system installed, including a sediment filter (we currently have just a carbon back-wash system and a special pump that injects clorox or peroxide to kill bacteria installed). This will be installed w/i 5 weeks - so hopefully, problem solved.

We don't have room for a RO/DI system in our kitchen or laundry room. We don't have a basement or a garage... and it makes more sense to me to purchase something that will last 5-10 years w/o replacing filters, doesn't waste water and increases our homes' value. Plus, it will also make all appliances that use water last longer and work better (dishwasher, water heater, washing machine, ice maker, etc.)

Anyway, that's the plan. Any thought or suggestions? Thanks in advance.
 
I would say it would be safe to do a 30-40% water change without too many consequences I have read here on the site of people doing 50% in a danger situation. Don't quote me as being correct, but I do not know the validity of a household RO/DI system.....(If it is all self-contained with no maintenance when do you know it's stopped working-when its too late). I think those systems are good for drinking water, but as you will find even "purified" drinking water is less than desired. I guess it is what works best for you. I used that Nursery water before I bought a RO/DI system.
 
wow, that clorox injection system scares me. you guys must have some NASTY water.

from what you are telling us, the 5 tds is really good. how long has this rock you have been in this water? if it is a long time, it will leach phosphates for a while as well. like a year or so.

you can change a good portion, but I would do several 15-25% changes. do one a week so you dont shock your inhabitants.

as for the whole house filter? IDK what you are getting but just make sure you know the TDS output before you buy it.

and dont be embarassed on the reading. I actually bragged about my 230 reading!
 
Last edited:
Tank is not even a year old - all rock is "new" (purchased over the last 10 months). Well water tests "0" for phosphates, "0" nitrates, etc. Phosphate is not a problem - running Phosguard. Have no brown algae or films anymore. Seachem test kits show 0 phosphate, 0 silicates. Understand that what phosphate is in system is being taken in by hair algae.

And yes, 5 on TDS meter would be an improvement on a grand scale... Lets just say that I don't think you could even guess how high the reading is on our well water!
 
Misconception

Misconception

NeedBiggerTank said:
OK - so my water source isn't ideal... alright, so its not even close. That TDS meter we picked up a month or so ago was a real eye opener (I'm so embarrassed at the reading I got that I can't even share it with you).

So, the fact that we used the same well water for almost 7 years for our Tanganikan Cichlids without a single issue - with Duboisies, Leleupies, Julies, etc. all breeding like little bunny rabbits should not have been a good indicator that it would be OK for saltwater. Lesson learned.

Our hair algae problem and the mysterious snail deaths can almost certainly be attributed to our water quality - since we have addressed all other issues.

So, we obviously need to get the water replaced that is in the tank. The question is, how much water can you take out at a time without serious consequences? Are lots of smaller water changes better than a few larger ones?

This is our plan:

1) Do a 15 gallon water change tonight using Walmart "Drinking water" (bought some and it tests at 5 on the TDS meter - also bought a gallon of Culligan and it tested at 175!).

2) order 25 gallons pre-mixed from AC and do 25 gallon water change each weekend for the next 4 weeks.

3) get a whole-house filtration system installed, including a sediment filter (we currently have just a carbon back-wash system and a special pump that injects clorox or peroxide to kill bacteria installed). This will be installed w/i 5 weeks - so hopefully, problem solved.

We don't have room for a RO/DI system in our kitchen or laundry room. We don't have a basement or a garage... and it makes more sense to me to purchase something that will last 5-10 years w/o replacing filters, doesn't waste water and increases our homes' value. Plus, it will also make all appliances that use water last longer and work better (dishwasher, water heater, washing machine, ice maker, etc.)

Anyway, that's the plan. Any thought or suggestions? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
A whole house filtration system is good for drinking water and making hard water soft, But that is about where it ends. I think you still are not understanding the type water you need for a Reef Tank or at least a successful one and that is RODI water with a TDS of 0. Nothing else will compare to this though it may be better than what you have it will not resolve your issues.
Any system that claims to not need filters changed for 10 years IMO is not something i want on my house even for doing laundry!
A RODI filter only takes up about 2 Square ft of wall space and can be mounted any where you have a water source. You can even save the waste water for other uses around your house or apt.
Depending on what type of coral you want to keep the best money you can spend will be a RODI nothing else will do the job as well or even close. JMO
Bill:wave:
 
If you are gonna buy the water, try the Glacier Machine at Publix. I can't say for sure, but I thought someone awhile back said the TDS tested really low at the machine in Smyrna.

I also heard the Culligan machines at Wal Mart doesnt get regular maintenance. The Glacier Machines lets you know the date they was last serviced. And it's only .30 cents a gallon, no tax. Cheaper then Wal Mart.

Steve

Steve
 
not to hijack the thread but is the tds from publix water low? should be better then tap water,if so i may buy alot of it to start doing water changes til i get my rodi working
 
Well, I was havin' a bad green film algae on my glass when I was buyin' water from AC (no disrespect). But when I started buyin' my water from Publix, it went away.

I do plan to order me a TDS meter so I can start checkin' myself. But the machine in Smyrna has regular maintenance. I don't know if that means they change the filters regularly or just look it over.

Of course, I guess nothin' is better then your own RO/DI unit.

Steve
 
I would just buy the RODI system even though your tight on space you can put it in a bathroom under the sink in the back will be very much out of the way I have mine under the kitchen sink and cant even tell its there till i pull the hoses out to use it :)
 
I know it's not feasible with a 90 but I used bottled distilled water for my top off and WC's.

Do not use walmart machine water. It is algae fuel.
 
i used to me a manager at a walmart up here.......DO NOT USE WALMART WATER......thats all i'll say lol.......fyi i mean their machine water not the pre bottled water.......i'll be trying some publix water this week,my HA which isnt bad is however annoying the crap out of me lol
 
poolkeeper1 said:
A whole house filtration system is good for drinking water and making hard water soft, But that is about where it ends. I think you still are not understanding the type water you need for a Reef Tank or at least a successful one and that is RODI water with a TDS of 0. Nothing else will compare to this though it may be better than what you have it will not resolve your issues.
Any system that claims to not need filters changed for 10 years IMO is not something i want on my house even for doing laundry!
A RODI filter only takes up about 2 Square ft of wall space and can be mounted any where you have a water source. You can even save the waste water for other uses around your house or apt.
Depending on what type of coral you want to keep the best money you can spend will be a RODI nothing else will do the job as well or even close. JMO
Bill:wave:
Click to expand...

This. I have mine on my wall above my washing machine, but you could put it under any sink, etc without issues.
 
First Water Change Completed

First Water Change Completed

We completed our first water change last night. We used 30 gallons of Walmart bottled water in gallon jugs (NOT the water from the Culligan machine at Walmart). My huband is getting a gallon jug tonight from the machine at Publix, to see if that would be a good choice for refills. I'll test it as soon as he gets home.

After giving all of your feedback some more thought, we will purchase an RO/DI unit. I had forgotten that there was a spicket on our main water line in the closet with all the water treatment equipment. So, we can set it up in there. However, now I have some more questions:

1) There is no sink in the closet, however, there is a pipe that is used by the carbon backwash system to flush it (this water empties outside). Not sure there is room for two barrels in the closet. What does everyone do with the "waste" water?

2) Where do you get the barrels that you all use to collect the "good" water?

3) There are so many different combinations of filters for RO/DI units. Which ones are best for well water? For instance, I don't need a cloramine/clorine stage, as we don't have any in our water (I turned off the clorine injector on our system several years ago - didn't like the idea of drinking clorox or peroxide. Figured the bacteria/viruses - if there was any - wouldn't kill us.). Anyway, I don't know if a pre-packaged one is better or one of the "build it yourself" is better. Some assistance here would be appreciated.

4) Are there other options, features, tubing, or anything that is needed? Or does everything you need come with it?

Thanks in advance.
 
1. I just put the waste back into the drain in the house. it then went thru the sewer. tied mine in at the washing machine.
2. I used a rubbermaid bin. that said, I have some 5 gallon jugs at bart's house or you can buy at the critter.
3. get a simple unit. 1. micron 2. carbon block 3. Ro membrane 4. Di chamber is all I had and it worked perfectly.
4. I like a dual in line TDS meter. that way you can see the quality of the water in and out. also lets you know when to change filters. a pressure gauge is nice too.

my advise is to get a prepackaged one from someone like Air water Ice or Buckeye field supply. I think Bulk reef supply has them too.
 
+1 on the above, You can also use the waste water to water grass or flowerbeds. Trash cans by Brute are good for water storage, 5 micron pre filters and 5 micron carbon blocks along with color changing DI Resin that you refill yourself are the best and cheapest. BRS has a good selection of these for the more you buy the better the price. Plus when there are group buy's you can stock up on them even cheaper. Spectrapure runs Sales on Membranes every once in a while that are real good deals. Hope this helps some
Bill
 
you totally should get a rodi but i have used and tested the drinkingwater outside publix in the machine, depending on how fresh the filters are it ran from 8-30TDS
 
8-30

8-30

supertech99 said:
you totally should get a rodi but i have used and tested the drinkingwater outside publix in the machine, depending on how fresh the filters are it ran from 8-30TDS
Click to expand...

Sean, Your not saying that 8-30 TDS would be acceptable are you? Just curious...
Bill:D
 
well if the only thing you can do for right now is a tds of 8-30 from a machine like that or 300+ tds at times from tap i think ya would have to pick the lesser of two evils,its not perfect like it should be but it beats 300 and or more.....JMO
 
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