Water Question

[pmui]

Hi All,

I have a 120gal FOLR tank. I know that using RODI water is the best to keep marine algae down in a "Reef" tank. Has anyone had experience using tap water for the water changes in a FOLR situation? What's your experience and do you recommend it?

thanks,
Peter

 

[concept3]

I did that for almost two years with my reef tank. No algae problems, all tap water and salt. I think I was lucky enough that my municipality had decent water quaility. I would check your area for TDS, or if you have someone around/near you who can check the TDS for you. I switched to RO/DI because a friend came over and noticed that my corals were very Pastel, he attributed that to the phosphates in the tap water, and then a few weeks later, my best friend gave me an RO/DI unit that he was gonna use but decided not to set up his tank after all..........


Here's a pic of the 55 gallon reef in november 2004:

 

[blange3]

Peter,

I lived in Hillside back in the day before RO/DI became commonplace. My father and I kept a number of FOWLR's with no algae problems. Fast forward to modern times and I tried the same approach in Woodbridge and you can't believe the types of algae I had!

Water varies from source to source and changes over time. I'd get a report from the water company and have it tested as well.

 

[pmui]

thanks you for the input. I might just stick w/ the RODI.

 

[dppitone]

Many folks do just fine with tap water.