New tank - What kind of water

erptacmt · 07/21/2020, 02:06 PM

I have a new 100 gal tank. What is the best way to fill it? Pre-made saltwater from my LFS? That would be a lot of 5 gal jugs and multiple trips. I live about 20 mins from my nearest LFS. Or should I use tap water and de-chlorinate for initial tank fill. I plan on getting an RODI system but that’s not for a few months. TIA

ScottF83 · 07/21/2020, 02:12 PM

I'd never use tap water

You could get RO water from the LFS, dump it in the tank and put the salt in there to mix. Assume you'd have nothing alive in there so it's a fine method

Or you can get natural sea water delivered depending where you live

MarAquatic · 07/21/2020, 05:36 PM

Or you can get water from those water dispensers at grocery stores although they do have higher Tds then rodi but less then tap

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outssider · 07/21/2020, 05:44 PM

Don't use tap water, you have no idea what's in it......get the ro/di now, you will have to get one sooner or later anyway

Michael Hoaster · 07/22/2020, 11:30 AM

I would think if your tap water is drinkable, it is OK to fill your tank with initially, after conditioning/dechlorinating. I wouldn't add corals or sensitive invertebrates, just a few very hardy fish. I'd also recommend adding some macro algae, which will soak up metals and other impurities.

Uncle99 · 07/22/2020, 02:38 PM

RODI always, unless this is only going to be fish only.
Starting right increases your success rate.
Many city waters contain phosphate, which may bind with your rock, and fuel larger than necessary ugly periods. Then you will spend three times the value of the RODI unit.
We are talking about $100 bucks.
Not worth the risk, but it’s your tank.

07/21/2020, 02:06 PM	#1
erptacmt Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 33	New tank - What kind of water I have a new 100 gal tank. What is the best way to fill it? Pre-made saltwater from my LFS? That would be a lot of 5 gal jugs and multiple trips. I live about 20 mins from my nearest LFS. Or should I use tap water and de-chlorinate for initial tank fill. I plan on getting an RODI system but that’s not for a few months. TIA

07/21/2020, 05:44 PM	#4
outssider Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Reseda, Ca. Posts: 1,717	Don't use tap water, you have no idea what's in it......get the ro/di now, you will have to get one sooner or later anyway __________________ Please don't feed the bears because the bears will become dependent on free handouts and forget how to take care of themselves …... Current Tank Info: 75 Gal. Mixed reef mostly sps

07/22/2020, 11:30 AM	#5
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	I would think if your tap water is drinkable, it is OK to fill your tank with initially, after conditioning/dechlorinating. I wouldn't add corals or sensitive invertebrates, just a few very hardy fish. I'd also recommend adding some macro algae, which will soak up metals and other impurities. __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

07/21/2020, 02:12 PM	#2
ScottF83 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: London, UK Posts: 42	I'd never use tap water You could get RO water from the LFS, dump it in the tank and put the salt in there to mix. Assume you'd have nothing alive in there so it's a fine method Or you can get natural sea water delivered depending where you live

07/21/2020, 05:36 PM	#3
MarAquatic Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 689	Or you can get water from those water dispensers at grocery stores although they do have higher Tds then rodi but less then tap Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

07/22/2020, 02:38 PM	#6
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	RODI always, unless this is only going to be fish only. Starting right increases your success rate. Many city waters contain phosphate, which may bind with your rock, and fuel larger than necessary ugly periods. Then you will spend three times the value of the RODI unit. We are talking about $100 bucks. Not worth the risk, but it’s your tank.