Water

[rich19020]

I know everybody recommends using RO water. Is it possible to use distilled water? I know that distilled water is more expensive but I can get that home delivered from the same company who delivers my 5 gallon drinking water.

 

[heritage]

Yep, distilled is the next best thing to rodi, I would test the tds to be sure.

 

[disc1]

That's a pretty expensive route to take, but it should work.

 

[rich19020]

what are tds?

 

[bamf25]

what are tds?

Total disolved solids

 

[heritage]

Tds= total dissolved solids

 

[rich19020]

Thanks

 

[heritage]

How much is the distilled water?

 

[rich19020]

Looking at TDS meters what is the acceptable reading I am looking for? Also any suggestions which meter to get?

 

[disc1]

The reading you want is 0 ppm. 1's or 2's can be acceptable depending on what it is that is dissolved.

What size of a tank are we talking about? What do you want to keep?

 

[heritage]

Looking at TDS meters what is the acceptable reading I am looking for? Also any suggestions which meter to get?

I think Wal-mart sells meters.

 

[scarface70706]

nothing wrong with distilled water. my dad used it all the time on my old tank when i moved out. his work has thousands of gallons of it at his plant. also works good in car batt.

 

[rich19020]

I have a 14 gallon biocube. The cost for 6 gallons is like $9.

 

[heritage]

Yeah, that's pretty expensive you would be better off buying rodi from your lfs.

 

[kzziboy]

Home Distiller

Home Distiller

I have one of those countertop Home Distillers....Is that okay to use?

 

[heritage]

I have one of those countertop Home Distillers....Is that okay to use?

Do you mean like the brita ?

 

[brockboi]

where i live we have quite a few water stores, but I have found that the best quality and prices for water are from home brewing stores (beer and wine makers). Most breweries filter the tap water that comes into the brewery and then run the water through an ro/di unit. Currently I pay 99 cents for 5 gal and the water is always around 0 ppm compared to tap water here which runs around 300 ppm!

 

[kzziboy]

I'm not even sure of the brand...
Here's a picture.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I have a 14 gallon biocube. The cost for 6 gallons is like $9.

For only 6 gallons a month you can get distilled water from your grocery store (not spring or drinking water, but distilled water). I used it for a couple of years in my old 30g reef without any problems.

 

[heritage]

Yeah, I'm not sure either but depending on the type filtration it most likely has a carbon filter mostly for taste so it would not do what you want it to do.