Using water that isn't RO/DI or Saltwater...?

[G_Sanab922]

Hello, as a newbie, I've been doing my research before getting into this amazing hobby (so I don't make too many mistakes lol).

As I ask different friends on tips for my saltwater tank I want to set up, one of my friends tells me that instead of using RO/DI or Saltwater, he uses Condensed A/C water. He fills up a bucket of the that water and putsit in his reef tank. This is the only type of water he has ever used for his tank. It makes sense since it is condensed water, but I wanted to do more research.

I asked many other people with saltwater tanks and also asked A/C Techs. I received many mixed opinions about the water. Some said, "it's possible and made sense that it can be used and wanted to test it soon".
Others said "that's the craziest thing I've heard, its so dirty!" (from common sense, the cleanliness of your A/C depends on how well you maintain it.)

I would like some opinions on what you think..
Has anyone ever heard of this?...
Would this depend on your area?
Or how clean your A/C is?

[PirateToast]

Originally Posted by G_Sanab922

Hello, as a newbie, I've been doing my research before getting into this amazing hobby (so I don't make too many mistakes lol).

As I ask different friends on tips for my saltwater tank I want to set up, one of my friends tells me that instead of using RO/DI or Saltwater, he uses Condensed A/C water. He fills up a bucket of the that water and putsit in his reef tank. This is the only type of water he has ever used for his tank. It makes sense since it is condensed water, but I wanted to do more research.

I asked many other people with saltwater tanks and also asked A/C Techs. I received many mixed opinions about the water. Some said, "it's possible and made sense that it can be used and wanted to test it soon".
Others said "that's the craziest thing I've heard, its so dirty!" (from common sense, the cleanliness of your A/C depends on how well you maintain it.)

I would like some opinions on what you think..
Has anyone ever heard of this?...
Would this depend on your area?
Or how clean your A/C is?

Tagging along here... I have A LOT of condensed A/C water sitting in a tub in my basement during the summer (no drain). haha.

However, I think I might get like 60 gallons or so over a summer... maybe a little more. I don't think you'd have quite enough for medium/larger tanks completely.

[disc1]

There is a HUGE difference between water being condensed out of the air and water being distilled. Don't fool yourself into thinking that just because it was condensed from vapor that makes it pure. You're missing the other part of distillation which is turning that water into very pure steam.

Metals are your enemy in saltwater aquarium keeping. Metals like copper, zinc, etc are very toxic to your animals. I wouldn't want any of the water I am going to put into my tank running over the metal coils in my AC unit.

[G_Sanab922]

Originally Posted by PirateToast

Tagging along here... I have A LOT of condensed A/C water sitting in a tub in my basement during the summer (no drain). haha.

However, I think I might get like 60 gallons or so over a summer... maybe a little more. I don't think you'd have quite enough for medium/larger tanks completely.

haha nice! I don't blame you. i'm sure many would like to get info on this.

[G_Sanab922]

Originally Posted by disc1

There is a HUGE difference between water being condensed out of the air and water being distilled. Don't fool yourself into thinking that just because it was condensed from vapor that makes it pure. You're missing the other part of distillation which is turning that water into very pure steam.

Metals are your enemy in saltwater aquarium keeping. Metals like copper, zinc, etc are very toxic to your animals. I wouldn't want any of the water I am going to put into my tank running over the metal coils in my AC unit.

I completely agree with you. Anyways, I don't think there is ANY pure water on this planet. They all have something in it, especially nowadays. And yea metals in a saltwater aquarium is definitely bad.
One question would be then, why does it work for my one friend then? Could his fish and coral be accustomed to it possibly?

[PirateToast]

Originally Posted by G_Sanab922

haha nice! I don't blame you. i'm sure many would like to get info on this.

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_a...ditioners.html

Sounds like theoretically it's fine, but there are too many factors to consider.

[G_Sanab922]

Originally Posted by PirateToast

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_a...ditioners.html

Sounds like theoretically it's fine, but there are too many factors to consider.

That's exactly what I was explained. If you don't let it sit there and its always flowing out (like in my case), the water is normally clean. Clean enough to where your animals can drink. And if you get UV lights its a lot cleaner. But if you leave it sitting in the drain pan and leave it too long, it will collect algae and bacteria.

[disc1]

Originally Posted by G_Sanab922

One question would be then, why does it work for my one friend then? Could his fish and coral be accustomed to it possibly?

Bad Logic...

It might not be working for your friend, it might be that it just hasn't bitten him yet. Or it might be that he got really lucky.

Here are some similar questions to help you understand the hole in that logic.

I have a friend who keeps winning on lottery tickets. He hasn't worked in over a year, he just keeps getting winners. So does this mean that buying lottery tickets is a worthwhile career?

I have a friend that smokes cigarettes. He hasn't got cancer. Does this mean that all this hooey about cigarettes and cancer if just a myth? Can I go ahead an smoke and not worry about it?

[G_Sanab922]

Originally Posted by disc1

Bad Logic...

It might not be working for your friend, it might be that it just hasn't bitten him yet. Or it might be that he got really lucky.

Here are some similar questions to help you understand the hole in that logic.

I have a friend who keeps winning on lottery tickets. He hasn't worked in over a year, he just keeps getting winners. So does this mean that buying lottery tickets is a worthwhile career?

I have a friend that smokes cigarettes. He hasn't got cancer. Does this mean that all this hooey about cigarettes and cancer if just a myth? Can I go ahead an smoke and not worry about it?

LOL I love the illustrations! Makes complete sense! I get where you are coming from.
He should try the lotto then, because he must be super lucky. He has had that tank for years now.

[Sk8r]

Do this with the water before using. Put it through a thorough distillation process. Because it hasn't really been through one.

[G_Sanab922]

Originally Posted by Sk8r

Do this with the water before using. Put it through a thorough distillation process. Because it hasn't really been through one.

Yea that's logical. Thanks

[mluntz]

Does he at least check his water with a TDS meter? I'd be curious to see what kind of reading he gets.

[hoaglanddiver]

I've heard that condensers in A/C units can be made w/ copper tubing.. If that's the case, it would not be good for reef tank.. maybe FOWLR(?)

[G_Sanab922]

Originally Posted by mluntz

Does he at least check his water with a TDS meter? I'd be curious to see what kind of reading he gets.

Lol I just asked him. he doesn't. But ill quote you what he said to me,,

" I've never tested it, but remember it is condensing on a piece of metal and then dripping down and evaporating again. Technically can't have too many dissolved solids because it never touches anything but the AC."

I'm trying to look up how it works now. but it seems to me by what he said that it evaporates again after touching the metal.

[G_Sanab922]

Originally Posted by hoaglanddiver

I've heard that condensers in A/C units can be made w/ copper tubing.. If that's the case, it would not be good for reef tank.. maybe FOWLR(?)

You are correct, most have copper and other metals. And no, its a reef. ill post a pic later through tapatalk of some of the stuff he has.

[disc1]

Originally Posted by G_Sanab922

Lol I just asked him. he doesn't. But ill quote you what he said to me,,

" I've never tested it, but remember it is condensing on a piece of metal and then dripping down and evaporating again. Technically can't have too many dissolved solids because it never touches anything but the AC."

I'm trying to look up how it works now. but it seems to me by what he said that it evaporates again after touching the metal.

Never touches anything but the AC? I don't know about this guy, but most AC units I've seen have air blowing through those coils. They're kind of useless without. That air is carrying all sorts of potential contaminants with it from dust to bacteria to you name it.

And I don't see where he thinks it is evaporating again, but even so evaporation and condensation is NOT the same thing as distillation. Not even close.

I hate to say it, but your friend is sorely mistaken about the assumption of purity there. He may not see how it can have much in the way of dissolved solids, but that doesn't make them disappear. They're there whether he understands how they got there or not.

[G_Sanab922]

Originally Posted by disc1

Never touches anything but the AC? I don't know about this guy, but most AC units I've seen have air blowing through those coils. They're kind of useless without. That air is carrying all sorts of potential contaminants with it from dust to bacteria to you name it.

And I don't see where he thinks it is evaporating again, but even so evaporation and condensation is NOT the same thing as distillation. Not even close.

I hate to say it, but your friend is sorely mistaken about the assumption of purity there. He may not see how it can have much in the way of dissolved solids, but that doesn't make them disappear. They're there whether he understands how they got there or not.

I thought the same thing. That air is blowing through there that leads to dust.
But that made me think, different type of A/C unit possibly? Newer technology?

[disc1]

Originally Posted by G_Sanab922

But that made me think, different type of A/C unit possibly? Newer technology?

I can't imagine any new technology that would allow you to make air hotter through the evaporator and still sell very many of them. At least calling it an AC. You might sell a heater that way, but it wouldn't condense any water so we wouldn't be having this discussion.

[gone fishin]

Just a bad idea for all the reasons David has mentioned. I have seen many people try to save a little money up front and it costs them even more to remedy the problem.

[G_Sanab922]

Originally Posted by disc1

I can't imagine any new technology that would allow you to make air hotter through the evaporator and still sell very many of them. At least calling it an AC. You might sell a heater that way, but it wouldn't condense any water so we wouldn't be having this discussion.

Oh ok yea. Thanks for the input. it is very much appreciated!

[G_Sanab922]

Originally Posted by gone fishin

Just a bad idea for all the reasons David has mentioned. I have seen many people try to save a little money up front and it costs them even more to remedy the problem.

Like you said, saving a little bit of money up now, and then future problems down the line. I've noticed that happens in this hobby. That's why I've been taking my time and doing all my research. plus taking my time allows me to save up some money lol
Thanks for the reply