Mixing water without rodi?

fredanthony · 07/07/2012, 08:08 PM

Alright, so I ordered my RO/DI but I was wondering is there anyway to mix tap water with salt mix to cycle a new tank? Will only have live rock to start.

sammy77 · 07/07/2012, 08:12 PM

You can use tap...but why?? How long will it take for your rodi to arrive?

fredanthony · 07/07/2012, 08:18 PM

Hmm, almost 2 weeks. I would like to start cycling now so, otherwise I loose about 2 weeks on it. I plan to drop in live sand and about 20lbs of live rock to start.. :-/

Palting · 07/07/2012, 08:30 PM

You can use tap water, add dechlorinators to it to "condition it", but it still is not a good idea. There are all sorts of dissolved substances in straight tap water other than chlorine that can lead to unwanted effects down the line.

You already have the RODI on order. Wait for it. It's worth it. Patience is one of the virtues that gets tested in this hobby. Nothing good happens fast in reef aquaria.

Buckeye Hydro · 07/07/2012, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palting

You already have the RODI on order. Wait for it. It's worth it.

Ditto

TX..r33f · 07/07/2012, 10:23 PM

+1 on waiting

Denbf58 · 07/08/2012, 06:01 AM

take this as your first lesson on patience witch you need a lot of with this hobby no good comes for rushing

To Reef Central

fredanthony · 07/08/2012, 06:05 AM

Got it. Waiting. Makes sense, well, I may get some pre-mixed from my LFS.. Thanks all

its good to know you guys give the right advice not just what we all want to hear

mlehman · 07/08/2012, 07:21 AM

I am going to get shot for this but I use the tap water here in Cape coral Fl. for the last 6 months . I have a 120g tank with sps, lps and more...all are growing, I have about 10 fish with no algae problems at all....I am not saying you or anyone else should do as I do, nor am I saying that it is okay to do, or that it is the right thing to do, no warranties expressed, written or implied....but it works for me...but your mileage may vary

firebirdude · 07/08/2012, 07:40 AM

Premixed from LFS or buy the DI water from the LFS, WalMart or the machine outside the store. Don't chance creating an algae problem right from the start. Because all algaes are easier to prevent than they are to battle once started.

Buckeye Hydro · 07/08/2012, 07:58 AM

If you buy DI water somewhere, it is NOT a safe assumption that it is 0 ppm TDS or anywhere close to it. Check it with a TDS meter before you buy.

firebirdude · 07/08/2012, 08:02 AM

Ehhh good point. But even 5-10ppm would be far better than the tap.

firebirdude · 07/13/2012, 11:04 AM

Hey question for you Buckeye. Is there any adverse effects, specifically on the membrane, from not using your RO/DI system regularly? What if I didn't use it for say.... a year? Would allowing the membrane to sit sealed in whatever water was in the cartridge cause harm?

Buckeye Hydro · 07/13/2012, 12:10 PM

Yep. The membrane manufacturers say that if the membrane is going to go unused for more than a week it should be removed from the system and placed in a preservative solution.

Remember that everything after the outside surface of the carbon block is dechlorinated. Microbes of every kind love stagnant water...

Russ

EzReef79 · 07/13/2012, 12:19 PM

This is all dependant on the water quality where you live. When i set up my 125 i filled it with tap water and then after that i used ro/di for waters changes. I had no issues when i did this.

You can always test your tap water first. It not a recommended practice but it doesnt mean certain failure.

sponger0 · 07/13/2012, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredanthony

Alright, so I ordered my RO/DI but I was wondering is there anyway to mix tap water with salt mix to cycle a new tank? Will only have live rock to start.

Sure you can lol. As long as you dont mind lots of nuisance algae, possible copper and other metals, chrlorine and chloramine lol

Merrell056 · 07/13/2012, 01:13 PM

Get some RO/DI from a LFS.

fredanthony · 07/13/2012, 03:52 PM

Done.. Came in the other day, almost done filling the tank. Thanks again guys! I'm happy I had you all holding me back

worm5406 · 07/13/2012, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredanthony

Done.. Came in the other day, almost done filling the tank. Thanks again guys! I'm happy I had you all holding me back

Which one did you get?

ajcanale · 07/14/2012, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firebirdude

premixed from lfs or buy the di water from the lfs, walmart or the machine outside the store. Don't chance creating an algae problem right from the start. Because all algaes are easier to prevent than they are to battle once started.

+1

fredanthony · 07/14/2012, 07:56 AM

I ended up getting the typhoon 3. Reading 0ppm

all is good. Just about done filling the tank. Had to **** it off a few times during work, hope to get the pump and skimmer going today.

07/07/2012, 08:08 PM	#1
fredanthony Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Plantation, FL Posts: 97	Mixing water without rodi? Alright, so I ordered my RO/DI but I was wondering is there anyway to mix tap water with salt mix to cycle a new tank? Will only have live rock to start.

07/07/2012, 08:12 PM	#2
sammy77 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: IL Posts: 373	You can use tap...but why?? How long will it take for your rodi to arrive? __________________ 220gal FOWLR When you're down....look up....get up....and don't ever give up! Current Tank Info: 220gal FOWLR

07/07/2012, 08:30 PM	#4
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	You can use tap water, add dechlorinators to it to "condition it", but it still is not a good idea. There are all sorts of dissolved substances in straight tap water other than chlorine that can lead to unwanted effects down the line. You already have the RODI on order. Wait for it. It's worth it. Patience is one of the virtues that gets tested in this hobby. Nothing good happens fast in reef aquaria. __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

07/08/2012, 06:01 AM	#7
Denbf58 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: selden N.Y. Posts: 885	take this as your first lesson on patience witch you need a lot of with this hobby no good comes for rushing *To Reef Central* __________________ Life is good Current Tank Info: 75gal reef ready koralia 3, 30g sump, 4b 48" t5s lighting, 29g reef with breeding pair clowns 55g reef 55g freshwater

07/08/2012, 06:05 AM	#8
fredanthony Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Plantation, FL Posts: 97	Got it. Waiting. Makes sense, well, I may get some pre-mixed from my LFS.. Thanks all its good to know you guys give the right advice not just what we all want to hear Last edited by fredanthony; 07/08/2012 at 06:14 AM.

07/07/2012, 08:18 PM	#3
fredanthony Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Plantation, FL Posts: 97	Hmm, almost 2 weeks. I would like to start cycling now so, otherwise I loose about 2 weeks on it. I plan to drop in live sand and about 20lbs of live rock to start.. :-/

07/07/2012, 10:23 PM	#6
TX..r33f Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Houston Tx :) Posts: 611	+1 on waiting

07/08/2012, 07:21 AM	#9
mlehman Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: cape coral fL Posts: 129	I am going to get shot for this but I use the tap water here in Cape coral Fl. for the last 6 months . I have a 120g tank with sps, lps and more...all are growing, I have about 10 fish with no algae problems at all....I am not saying you or anyone else should do as I do, nor am I saying that it is okay to do, or that it is the right thing to do, no warranties expressed, written or implied....but it works for me...but your mileage may vary

07/08/2012, 07:40 AM	#10
firebirdude User and Abuser Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,836	Premixed from LFS or buy the DI water from the LFS, WalMart or the machine outside the store. Don't chance creating an algae problem right from the start. Because all algaes are easier to prevent than they are to battle once started.

07/08/2012, 07:58 AM	#11
Buckeye Hydro .Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 4,857	If you buy DI water somewhere, it is NOT a safe assumption that it is 0 ppm TDS or anywhere close to it. Check it with a TDS meter before you buy.

07/08/2012, 08:02 AM	#12
firebirdude User and Abuser Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,836	Ehhh good point. But even 5-10ppm would be far better than the tap.

07/13/2012, 11:04 AM	#13
firebirdude User and Abuser Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,836	Hey question for you Buckeye. Is there any adverse effects, specifically on the membrane, from not using your RO/DI system regularly? What if I didn't use it for say.... a year? Would allowing the membrane to sit sealed in whatever water was in the cartridge cause harm?

07/13/2012, 12:10 PM	#14
Buckeye Hydro .Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 4,857	Yep. The membrane manufacturers say that if the membrane is going to go unused for more than a week it should be removed from the system and placed in a preservative solution. Remember that everything after the outside surface of the carbon block is dechlorinated. Microbes of every kind love stagnant water... Russ

07/13/2012, 12:19 PM	#15
EzReef79 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: PA Posts: 29	This is all dependant on the water quality where you live. When i set up my 125 i filled it with tap water and then after that i used ro/di for waters changes. I had no issues when i did this. You can always test your tap water first. It not a recommended practice but it doesnt mean certain failure.

07/13/2012, 01:13 PM	#17
Merrell056 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 238	Get some RO/DI from a LFS.

07/13/2012, 03:52 PM	#18
fredanthony Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Plantation, FL Posts: 97	Done.. Came in the other day, almost done filling the tank. Thanks again guys! I'm happy I had you all holding me back

07/14/2012, 07:56 AM	#21
fredanthony Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Plantation, FL Posts: 97	I ended up getting the typhoon 3. Reading 0ppm all is good. Just about done filling the tank. Had to **** it off a few times during work, hope to get the pump and skimmer going today.