tap water??

shPonGLeyES · 09-18-2006, 07:07 PM

what is the most efficent and cheapest way to not worry about too much chlorine from tap water.

additives?
filters?
getting that special water?

flamingo · 09-18-2006, 07:09 PM

Your best bet would be to use ro/di water, or distilled water with additives added to it in small amounts.

Personally, I just use tap water, many people disagree, but as long as I don't over feed...my tank stays pretty clean. I use chlorine out and slime additives, and that's it. I used to use some wierd product from tetra, but after learning that it's like a thick soap that clings to stuff, I decided to severely cut down.

PetMax · 09-18-2006, 07:09 PM

the best way is to get a RO unit. If you dont have that kind of resource/funds, I highly recommend Prime Water conditioner. Its great stuff.

**Fishfirst** · 09-18-2006, 07:11 PM

I also use (at the momment) tap water... I have moderate algae problems... prime is a great dechlorinator by the way (doesn't mess with the skimmer too much)

PerculaClown · 09-18-2006, 07:12 PM

ive heard of people using a tap water filter from foster and smith with good results

leveldrummer · 09-18-2006, 08:50 PM

by far, ro/di, if you cant afford the filter, check with your lfs, they probably sell it. and its not too expensive. if you cant do that, get a smaller tank.

gdwb10101 · 09-18-2006, 08:51 PM

i got a nice ro/di unit off ebay, moderatly priced...can't remember off the top of my head...but the only problem that i don't like about ro/di water, is that it has a very low ph. I am constantly adding buffers. But not algae outbreaks is the positive i guess.

PetMax · 09-19-2006, 12:09 AM

the only prob i have with my RO unit is that for every 1 gallon of RO water, i waste 7 gallons. BLAH. Hell, i have a 220 here at the house, and over 800+gallons of saltwater tanks at the store. Water bill=one broke man

leveldrummer · 09-19-2006, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gdwb10101

i got a nice ro/di unit off ebay, moderatly priced...can't remember off the top of my head...but the only problem that i don't like about ro/di water, is that it has a very low ph. I am constantly adding buffers. But not algae outbreaks is the positive i guess.

pure water should have a ph of 7.0 and the salt mix and live rock and everything in your tank should buffer it to its needs.

flamingo · 09-19-2006, 02:48 PM

From what I remember most ro/di systems take the ph down past 7.0...

I'd get one, but I just don't have 120 spare dollars for osmething that IMO here, isn't totally needed. Sometimes I've seen ones on ebay and the like though cheap, but I don't trust ebay too much :P.

Petmax..it really wastes that much per gallon? I thought most models only waste about 3....lol.

**Damon** · 09-19-2006, 04:42 PM

"Pure" water is 7.0. Its the foundation of the PH scale...............
That being said, you could have water that is slightly acidic to begin with. In a perfect world, you unit would create 7.0 but as we all know, nothing is perfect........... Its not uncommon for your water to be a bit low but your salt should bring it close to what you're looking for.

People used tap water for salt tanks for many years (along with N.O. flourescent bulbs) so it can de done but todays technology makes it easier for us.

PetMax · 09-19-2006, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flamingonhot

From what I remember most ro/di systems take the ph down past 7.0...

I'd get one, but I just don't have 120 spare dollars for osmething that IMO here, isn't totally needed. Sometimes I've seen ones on ebay and the like though cheap, but I don't trust ebay too much :P.

Petmax..it really wastes that much per gallon? I thought most models only waste about 3....lol.

yes it does. Ill post up the name of it tomorrow when i go to work. It takes almost 24 hours of continuesly running to fill my 50g barrel. And yea, its something like 7:1

PetMax · 09-21-2006, 08:57 AM

name of it is

Kent Marine Hi:S Maxxima, of course it is a few years old

**Damon** · 09-21-2006, 10:38 AM

A typical ro unit nowadays is 4:1 to 5:1. A good one is 3:1. MIne is between 4-5:1.

bodie · 09-21-2006, 01:46 PM

the bigger the tank,the better and easier it is 2 keep clean and keep water quality to scratch.i went from a 100g 2 a 180g tank and was surprised of the ease of maintaining it.im fully stocked now and loving it.be lucky.

handvie1 · 12-09-2006, 06:49 PM

my doctor just bought an ro/di unit that has no waste water at all, new technology i guess! Thats the thing i hate the most about ro units they waste so much freakin water but cant wait to see how this new unit works!

**Damon** · 12-10-2006, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by handvie1

my doctor just bought an ro/di unit that has no waste water at all, new technology i guess! Thats the thing i hate the most about ro units they waste so much freakin water but cant wait to see how this new unit works!

Not possible in theory. I know people who plumb their water to reuse the excess waste in thie appliances like dishwashers and washing machines, buit the excess water and elements have to go somewhere.

Bear · 12-10-2006, 12:13 PM

wow, i had no idea that they were so wasteful

**TheOldSalt** · 12-11-2006, 07:44 AM

Appallingly wasteful, if you ask me, which no one ever does.

Nice smoky quartz crystal, Handvie!

I'd suggest getting an assay report from your water company to find out just exactly what your water parameters and additives really are, and if they aren't too unacceptable, and if you only have free chlorine instead of chloramine, then just let the water sit in a big container for a couple of days with aeration before use.

09-18-2006, 07:07 PM	#1
shPonGLeyES Fishy Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Age: 19 Posts: 13	tap water?? what is the most efficent and cheapest way to not worry about too much chlorine from tap water. additives? filters? getting that special water?

09-18-2006, 07:09 PM	#2
flamingo One Word: Croutons. Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Wisconsin Age: 17 Posts: 1,899	Your best bet would be to use ro/di water, or distilled water with additives added to it in small amounts. Personally, I just use tap water, many people disagree, but as long as I don't over feed...my tank stays pretty clean. I use chlorine out and slime additives, and that's it. I used to use some wierd product from tetra, but after learning that it's like a thick soap that clings to stuff, I decided to severely cut down. __________________ If you put "u" instead of typing out the actual, shocking, three letter word... i'm not going to read your ramblings. I'm so behind it's not even funny.

09-18-2006, 07:09 PM	#3
PetMax Exotic Guru Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Somerset Ky Age: 25 Posts: 113	the best way is to get a RO unit. If you dont have that kind of resource/funds, I highly recommend Prime Water conditioner. Its great stuff. __________________ Currently Setting up a 220g Saltwater. Check out the progress in the Picture section Equipment: Tidepool Sump, TurboTwist UV, Prism Skimmer,all in the works

09-18-2006, 07:11 PM	#4
Fishfirst Fish Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern Wisconsin Age: 24 Posts: 3,546	I also use (at the momment) tap water... I have moderate algae problems... prime is a great dechlorinator by the way (doesn't mess with the skimmer too much) __________________ 210 Gal Reef w/ 55 Gallon Sump/Fuge, 125 Gal Fish Only, 65 Gal Seahorse-29 Gallon Sump, 55 Gal FOWLR, 54 Gal Corner FW Community, 20 Gal Nano FOWLR, 55 Gal Piranha, 29 gallon QT "All the yellow tangs and clownfish in the world can't save you now! hahahah" Peter from Family Guy

09-18-2006, 08:50 PM	#6
leveldrummer something like a pimp Join Date: May 2005 Location: atlanta Age: 29 Posts: 1,933	by far, ro/di, if you cant afford the filter, check with your lfs, they probably sell it. and its not too expensive. if you cant do that, get a smaller tank. __________________ The meek shall inherit the Earth. Big deal. By the time they get it the rest of us will have messed it all up.

Members currently in the Chat:0
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09-18-2006, 07:12 PM	#5
PerculaClown Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Age: 18 Posts: 116	ive heard of people using a tap water filter from foster and smith with good results

09-18-2006, 08:51 PM	#7
gdwb10101 Newblit Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Miami Age: 19 Posts: 251	i got a nice ro/di unit off ebay, moderatly priced...can't remember off the top of my head...but the only problem that i don't like about ro/di water, is that it has a very low ph. I am constantly adding buffers. But not algae outbreaks is the positive i guess. __________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hb-2X8l49uQ

09-19-2006, 12:09 AM	#8
PetMax Exotic Guru Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Somerset Ky Age: 25 Posts: 113	the only prob i have with my RO unit is that for every 1 gallon of RO water, i waste 7 gallons. BLAH. Hell, i have a 220 here at the house, and over 800+gallons of saltwater tanks at the store. Water bill=one broke man __________________ Currently Setting up a 220g Saltwater. Check out the progress in the Picture section Equipment: Tidepool Sump, TurboTwist UV, Prism Skimmer,all in the works

09-19-2006, 02:48 PM	#10
flamingo One Word: Croutons. Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Wisconsin Age: 17 Posts: 1,899	From what I remember most ro/di systems take the ph down past 7.0... I'd get one, but I just don't have 120 spare dollars for osmething that IMO here, isn't totally needed. Sometimes I've seen ones on ebay and the like though cheap, but I don't trust ebay too much :P. Petmax..it really wastes that much per gallon? I thought most models only waste about 3....lol. __________________ If you put "u" instead of typing out the actual, shocking, three letter word... i'm not going to read your ramblings. I'm so behind it's not even funny.

09-19-2006, 04:42 PM	#11
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	"Pure" water is 7.0. Its the foundation of the PH scale............... That being said, you could have water that is slightly acidic to begin with. In a perfect world, you unit would create 7.0 but as we all know, nothing is perfect........... Its not uncommon for your water to be a bit low but your salt should bring it close to what you're looking for. People used tap water for salt tanks for many years (along with N.O. flourescent bulbs) so it can de done but todays technology makes it easier for us. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

09-21-2006, 08:57 AM	#13
PetMax Exotic Guru Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Somerset Ky Age: 25 Posts: 113	name of it is Kent Marine Hi:S Maxxima, of course it is a few years old __________________ Currently Setting up a 220g Saltwater. Check out the progress in the Picture section Equipment: Tidepool Sump, TurboTwist UV, Prism Skimmer,all in the works

09-21-2006, 10:38 AM	#14
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	A typical ro unit nowadays is 4:1 to 5:1. A good one is 3:1. MIne is between 4-5:1. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

09-21-2006, 01:46 PM	#15
bodie Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Age: 37 Posts: 2	bigger the easier the bigger the tank,the better and easier it is 2 keep clean and keep water quality to scratch.i went from a 100g 2 a 180g tank and was surprised of the ease of maintaining it.im fully stocked now and loving it.be lucky.

12-09-2006, 06:49 PM	#16
handvie1 Fishy Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Age: 27 Posts: 11	my doctor just bought an ro/di unit that has no waste water at all, new technology i guess! Thats the thing i hate the most about ro units they waste so much freakin water but cant wait to see how this new unit works!

12-10-2006, 12:13 PM	#18
Bear Salty Pants Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: In a Big Yellow House Age: 20 Posts: 902	wow, i had no idea that they were so wasteful __________________ My Reef My Puffer Tank My Photos

12-11-2006, 07:44 AM	#19
TheOldSalt Darth Ichthyos Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,361	Appallingly wasteful, if you ask me, which no one ever does. Nice smoky quartz crystal, Handvie! I'd suggest getting an assay report from your water company to find out just exactly what your water parameters and additives really are, and if they aren't too unacceptable, and if you only have free chlorine instead of chloramine, then just let the water sit in a big container for a couple of days with aeration before use.

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