What's your water source?

[Rosseau]

I'm interested to see what most nano-reefers are using for their water.

For some, it's not economical to buy a RO/DI unit and so water is acquired from elsewhere.

 

[sjm1978]

i own my own ro/di unit. but before that i was getting my water from a LFS untill one time i opened the 5g water jug with the water from LFS to use for my waterchange and had a big smell of chlorine like a pool would smell. after that i decided to buy my own ro/di unit and i am happy i did. im also so glad i smelled it or there would of went my tank. i also called the LFS and told them and they said just let the water sit open so the chlorine would go out. i didnt do that i just tossed it and got some water from a local club member untill my ro/di unit came.

 

[Kaos]

I also used LFS water until I started getting HA in my tank. When I tested the water it had a TDS of 175ppm! I bought my own RO/DI and the HA went away.

Moral of the story, don't trust LFS water (or any water that you didn't make yourself...or test).

 

[tiffrobbins]

I put that I refill at a grocery store, but its actually a little water kiosk in a strip mall. Awesome water quality for only .25/gal. Its a little bit of a pain to carry the buckets, but hey, that's one reason I only have a nano and not a 500 gal tank.

 

[vsnsofadrgn]

i buy distilled from walmart. i had an ro/di unit, but it just wanst practical in an apartment.

 

[Rosseau]

Thanks for responding everyone.

I personally have been using a refill jug (like the one in the strip mall, tiffrobbins), so far it's going well, but I have no idea of the TDS.

Ah well, a few more things to throw on the shopping list.

 

[PSam]

I'd really get a TDS meter if buying a refill from somewhere. I bought a jug from a grocery store RO machine when my membrane wore out. I got home and tested the TDS - over 150. You have no idea how often they change the prefilters or membranes. Best bet is to bite the bullet . Get a nice ro/di - it will pay for itself in a year or so.

 

[Jadams]

I think the best way is to simply make sure you test the water your getting from the LFS. I have always refilled there and have never had a problem

 

[Rosseau]

Is there a preferred inexpensive RO/DI system anyone can recommend?

 

[PSam]

Spectrapure makes great units. If you don't need mega production out of it, check out some of the smaller 3 or 4 stage MDPI series RO/DI, under $200 bucks, plus another 20 or so for a decent inline TDS meter off ebay. Even if you don't get a unit now, I would certainly invest in a hand held TDS meter you can use to check the place where you fill your jugs (even if an LFS).

 

[Cyclone123]

I use distilled water but in the future i want to get a RO unit

 

[schnell76]

You forgot one source............The ocean......NSW.

 

[Rosseau]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9774608#post9774608 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by schnell76
You forgot one source............The ocean......NSW.

eee yes, the ocean... I just forgot, I know some people do this.

As a joke I considered writing down the Great Lakes, but that wouldn't help the poll (or be funny).

 

[Jadams]

I get Scrips NSW and its perfect parametors everytime!

 

[Rosseau]

-Removed-

Obvious (after the fact) question answered.

 

[philbo32]

Natural Sea Water...

 

[Rosseau]

you don't say?

 

[cherubfish pair]

You also forgot well water. It is very different than tap water. Our well water is very hard and I am wondering if I could just get by with a DI unit only, but have never seen them stand alone.

 

[obsled]

I use tap water with some starter chemicals. So far I've been lucky, everything is happy and the water chemistry tests okay (albeit, I can't test total dissolved solids right now).

I know this isn't too popular a stand on water sources here but theres no way I'm getting a RO/DI for a while until my wife gets a bit more happy with this hobby.

 

[dynaschm0e]

We plan to use filtered natural sea water from Wrightsville Beach and top off with RO/DI made from home unit.

-Trey