Who uses tap water and do you live in the city?
- Thread starter pitmindi
- Start date
I am currently using tap, but not in the city.
Tap Water->Conditioner->Mix salt.
I've yet to have algae problems of any sort using tap as long as I treat it first. I use API Tap Water Conditioner and Seachem Prime Water Conditioner. The Seachem Prime Water Conditioner is more Skimmer Friendly.
Tap Water->Conditioner->Mix salt.
I've yet to have algae problems of any sort using tap as long as I treat it first. I use API Tap Water Conditioner and Seachem Prime Water Conditioner. The Seachem Prime Water Conditioner is more Skimmer Friendly.
vlangel
Premium Member
I also use only tap water, Richland Water Authority, but I think it comes from West View. I don't even treat it. I use Instant Ocean and I have a 90 gallon reef with softies and some LPS. I have awesome growth and have never had an algae bloom although my phosphates are always very high. I actually read that anemones prefer tap water, 80% of thriving anemones that have lived more than 2yrs are in tap water according to the statistic that I read. One caution: I do frequent small water changes in case the water purity is not up to standard.
Bethel Park, have always used tap water, going on 5 years for my saltwater tank (was FO w/LR), added corals a couple of months ago (softies and LPS) and so far so good. Use an API tap water conditioner along with Instant Ocean, then Reef Crystals and now Seachem Reef Salt and all have been fine. Change ~15 - 25% water every week, no supplements and everything is growing well.
Its good to know there are other people around here that use tap water. My tank is only 7 months old so I dont know whether it will result in problems down the road. The RODI units seem complex and wasteful and I use the faucet for my freshwater tanks, so I change about 100 gallons a week and that would mean wasting 300 gallons, unless the unit can be turned off when rODI water isnt wanted. Is this possible?
NaClH2Opgh
New member
I have mine on a separate valve and only turn it on to make water for my tank. The easiest to install is a saddle valve that does not require any tools.
Oakland water is pretty bad
Oakland water is pretty bad
I live in Oakland, and apparently am having an RO/DI malfunction, as the water output is high (which I guess means is a membrane defect). My tank has been in the pits, with slimy brown/red algae all over the place, and all of my corals have been closed for a week.
I'm trying to get on the phone with Coralife to get some support. If not, I'm just going to buy a new RO/DI, as a membrane costs almost as much as the whole unit, and if the support is so bad and the product sucks, then the risk of something else happening isn't worth it.
Never had a single problem while everything was working. Just my two cents.
Summit
Oakland water is pretty bad
I live in Oakland, and apparently am having an RO/DI malfunction, as the water output is high (which I guess means is a membrane defect). My tank has been in the pits, with slimy brown/red algae all over the place, and all of my corals have been closed for a week.
I'm trying to get on the phone with Coralife to get some support. If not, I'm just going to buy a new RO/DI, as a membrane costs almost as much as the whole unit, and if the support is so bad and the product sucks, then the risk of something else happening isn't worth it.
Never had a single problem while everything was working. Just my two cents.
Summit
Please oh please
Everyone using municipal tap water. Get in touch with your water supplier. Ask for the annual report, EPA required.
Most public water suppliers are using something to control lead & copper in their mains, also EPA required. This is usually a zinc orthophosphate corrosion inhibitor. We "Altoona Water Authority" recently switched to a polyphosphate compound. We are adding this to the water at a rate of 1 ppm. Notice the word (phosphate) in both these compounds.
This is the same phosphate you the reefer spend lots of money to "remove" from your reef in one way or another.
It's much better to remove the stuff you don't want in your tank before it gets in there.
Please listen to all the people that know, use only R/O D/I water for all new salt water & for ALL top off water.
By the way there was a time not too long ago that the city of Pittsburgh water was adding 1.5 ppm of copper to the open outdoor water reservoirs. Copper & reef inhabitants don't mix. I think this problem has been eliminated.
good luck
Bill
Everyone using municipal tap water. Get in touch with your water supplier. Ask for the annual report, EPA required.
Most public water suppliers are using something to control lead & copper in their mains, also EPA required. This is usually a zinc orthophosphate corrosion inhibitor. We "Altoona Water Authority" recently switched to a polyphosphate compound. We are adding this to the water at a rate of 1 ppm. Notice the word (phosphate) in both these compounds.
This is the same phosphate you the reefer spend lots of money to "remove" from your reef in one way or another.
It's much better to remove the stuff you don't want in your tank before it gets in there.
Please listen to all the people that know, use only R/O D/I water for all new salt water & for ALL top off water.
By the way there was a time not too long ago that the city of Pittsburgh water was adding 1.5 ppm of copper to the open outdoor water reservoirs. Copper & reef inhabitants don't mix. I think this problem has been eliminated.
good luck
Bill
