DO i need an RO filter?

0000 · 02/22/2011, 07:17 PM

i have have a 36 gallon tank for over a year now and a half.

I have been using tap water for water changes and initial setup.

I looked at my city water quality report, and the most recent report on line is
from 2009 - at which time they used only chlorine as a disinfectant.

for water changes I fill up a container of water, mix salt, let it sit for a few hours then add to tank. I have tested the water mixed with salt for nitrates and it read 0.

I plan on starting a 180-220 gallon saltwater tank, and I am wondering am I ok with my tap water, or should I invest in an RO unit?

is buckeye field supply the best brand for RO units?

jbax · 02/22/2011, 07:21 PM

yes get a ro/di unit

Thisseemsfishy · 02/22/2011, 07:37 PM

I would definitely be using an RO/DI unit, especially if your going to have corals no matter what the city report says. IMO

zreefs · 02/22/2011, 08:00 PM

there might be other stuff in the water you dont want RO/DI all the way

jmchzn123 · 02/22/2011, 09:00 PM

Lol......lol...heeee heeee haaaa ahaaaa

radicaltimes · 02/22/2011, 10:31 PM

Get a ro unit. I have a Di but do you really need to go from a TDS of 2 to zero? I'm sure there are a lot of ideas on it .

wmdick_2007 · 02/23/2011, 02:26 AM

Depends on the water -- mine is fine --- I have an R/O unit. Your call, get mix for R/O water if you do. I do not like taking out all the minerals in the water myself -- but, if in doubt --- use R/O.

reefjunkie42 · 02/23/2011, 02:28 AM

yes get 1 water quality is the # 1 thing in this hobby.

breiter3 · 02/23/2011, 06:52 AM

I love my BFS rodi and the prices are great. Had it for 2 years now. Your concern isn't necessarily what they use to disinfect the water, it's everything else in the water. BFS has a cheap TDS meter which will tell you what the levels of total dissolved solids are in the water. That's all re stuff you want take out most notably phosphates and heavy metals. It's a good investment in your tank. 170 bucks for the rodi and about 35 bucks a year in maintenance for the filters.

jokim · 02/23/2011, 07:13 AM

yes +1 w/ getting ro/di unit

patsfan1130 · 02/23/2011, 07:48 AM

^^ what they said - Knowing that you are putting pure water into your tank takes so much guess work out of potential problems down the road and is probably one of the wisest investments a reefer can make.

02/22/2011, 07:17 PM	#1
0000 Registered Member. Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cleveland Posts: 203	DO i need an RO filter? i have have a 36 gallon tank for over a year now and a half. I have been using tap water for water changes and initial setup. I looked at my city water quality report, and the most recent report on line is from 2009 - at which time they used only chlorine as a disinfectant. for water changes I fill up a container of water, mix salt, let it sit for a few hours then add to tank. I have tested the water mixed with salt for nitrates and it read 0. I plan on starting a 180-220 gallon saltwater tank, and I am wondering am I ok with my tap water, or should I invest in an RO unit? is buckeye field supply the best brand for RO units?

02/22/2011, 07:21 PM	#2
jbax Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: palm harbor Posts: 1,425	yes get a ro/di unit __________________ 75%er 120g 4x2, dart pump, i-tech 100, tunze ato, apex controller & lunar simulator. Current Tank Info: 120g, 54 corner

02/22/2011, 09:00 PM	#5
jmchzn123 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 240	Lol......lol...heeee heeee haaaa ahaaaa __________________ 10 years running - 90 gal Tech Tank, 48x18x24/ 30 gal sump/ BK 180 mini/ 3 AI Sol Blues/ DSB / UV / Tunze Wave Box/ APEX-Lite controller/ dosing pumps on the way/ Goldfish

02/23/2011, 02:26 AM	#7
wmdick_2007 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 191	Depends on the water -- mine is fine --- I have an R/O unit. Your call, get mix for R/O water if you do. I do not like taking out all the minerals in the water myself -- but, if in doubt --- use R/O. __________________ Enjoy! Current Tank Info: 13 mixed tanks

02/23/2011, 07:48 AM	#11
patsfan1130 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Woburn, Ma Posts: 2,010	^^ what they said - Knowing that you are putting pure water into your tank takes so much guess work out of potential problems down the road and is probably one of the wisest investments a reefer can make. __________________ My cat's breath smells like cat food Member of the Boston Reefers Society Current Tank Info: 75g lps, 90g sps, 120g mixed, 180 nem tank, 300g reef, 600g up & coming reef

02/22/2011, 07:37 PM	#3
Thisseemsfishy Just another Reefer Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kentucky, USA Posts: 715	I would definitely be using an RO/DI unit, especially if your going to have corals no matter what the city report says. IMO

02/22/2011, 08:00 PM	#4
zreefs Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: blacksburg Posts: 54	there might be other stuff in the water you dont want RO/DI all the way

02/22/2011, 10:31 PM	#6
radicaltimes Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Columbus, Oh Posts: 274	Get a ro unit. I have a Di but do you really need to go from a TDS of 2 to zero? I'm sure there are a lot of ideas on it .

02/23/2011, 02:28 AM	#8
reefjunkie42 Wrasse junkie Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Buxton Posts: 2,148	yes get 1 water quality is the # 1 thing in this hobby.

02/23/2011, 06:52 AM	#9
breiter3 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 98	I love my BFS rodi and the prices are great. Had it for 2 years now. Your concern isn't necessarily what they use to disinfect the water, it's everything else in the water. BFS has a cheap TDS meter which will tell you what the levels of total dissolved solids are in the water. That's all re stuff you want take out most notably phosphates and heavy metals. It's a good investment in your tank. 170 bucks for the rodi and about 35 bucks a year in maintenance for the filters.

02/23/2011, 07:13 AM	#10
jokim Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 85	yes +1 w/ getting ro/di unit

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