Initial Water Quality Question

JCnflies · 08/09/2006, 08:06 PM

I filled my tank with tap water to confirm all of hte plumbing was good to go, and it is. Tomorrow, I want to add salt so that I can think about adding the LR (cured) on Friday.

I have an RO DI unit good for 40 gallons a day. i have not used it yet, but I don't think I can get 40 gallons out of it quickly, so while I can get some water from it tomorrow, I was thinking of draining most of the tap, adding whatever RO DI water I can get out and buying some spring water. Of course, I would condition the tap water.

Do you think this would be good for starters? Subsequent water changes will be RO DI only.

kenettson1 · 08/09/2006, 08:24 PM

I would start with RO/DI regardless of how long it takes to get it. If time is a factor go to your LFS to see if they have any you can buy.

Unfiltered tap water has nasty stuff in it that you definately don't want in there at all. Will lead to algae growth in time. I didn't use RODI for a while and it just led to so many long term algae issues.

My 2 cents.

malintner · 08/09/2006, 08:29 PM

I don't think your idea is good at all. What's in your tap water? If it is like most tap water, it will have things in it that will be harmful to your tank. Sure, you may not have anything in the tank now, but someday you will. Regardless of the number of water changes you do, the traces of chemicals that you will put in the tank will remain for a long time.

The secret to success in this hobby is patience, and lots of it. Get the garbage water out of your tank. Wipe it down and refill it with RO/DI. Start right, end right. Besides, I'm pretty sure you are not thowing a party this weekend to show off your new tank anyway.

JCnflies · 08/09/2006, 08:53 PM

Any chance the spring water would be OK?

AZDesertRat · 08/09/2006, 10:57 PM

Spring water has minerals and things in it to make it tsate good. You want either RO/DI or distilled water not drinking water.

PDA · 08/11/2006, 11:19 AM

Don't use tap water. Be patient. If it takes 2 or 3 days to fill the tank, so be it. Drop a powerhead in the tank for circulation and keep filling it until you have the volume needed.
Why start out with bad water. If you have to use bottled water, make sure it's distilled and not spring water. I would wait for the good stuff. Why make new tank syndrome worse with copper, phospates and heaven knows what else is in your tap water.

chip721 · 08/11/2006, 12:07 PM

It took me 3 days to produce enough RO water for my 90g. IMO with what you'll invest in livestock; it's best to start with the best water quality possible. Don't cut corner's here - especially if you already have the RO unit.

adeliel · 08/11/2006, 12:28 PM

I was wondering if rainwater collected from a raincatcher barrel good or not?

JCnflies · 08/11/2006, 08:08 PM

Well, I put about 55 gallons in from my RO and about 35 gallons from a lfs RO. Finally, in my haste, I added acouple of gallons purified in my Brita water container.

I am circulating now and figure all salt should be dissolved in the next couple of days. If I can get an electrician to run the wiring for the T5s, I hope to put the LR in by Sunday

08/09/2006, 08:06 PM	#1
JCnflies Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Patchogue Posts: 410	Initial Water Quality Question I filled my tank with tap water to confirm all of hte plumbing was good to go, and it is. Tomorrow, I want to add salt so that I can think about adding the LR (cured) on Friday. I have an RO DI unit good for 40 gallons a day. i have not used it yet, but I don't think I can get 40 gallons out of it quickly, so while I can get some water from it tomorrow, I was thinking of draining most of the tap, adding whatever RO DI water I can get out and buying some spring water. Of course, I would condition the tap water. Do you think this would be good for starters? Subsequent water changes will be RO DI only.

08/09/2006, 08:24 PM	#2
kenettson1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 356	I would start with RO/DI regardless of how long it takes to get it. If time is a factor go to your LFS to see if they have any you can buy. Unfiltered tap water has nasty stuff in it that you definately don't want in there at all. Will lead to algae growth in time. I didn't use RODI for a while and it just led to so many long term algae issues. My 2 cents. __________________ GO COLTS!! Current Tank Info: 225 Gallon (5x3x2) Used to have SPS - Bubbleking Supermarine 250 Skimmer - H&S 200CR-F3000 CaRx - 2 x Tunze 6200's on MultiController - 2 x 400 XM 20k - ACIII Pro

08/11/2006, 11:19 AM	#6
PDA Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Jacksonville FL Posts: 108	Don't use tap water. Be patient. If it takes 2 or 3 days to fill the tank, so be it. Drop a powerhead in the tank for circulation and keep filling it until you have the volume needed. Why start out with bad water. If you have to use bottled water, make sure it's distilled and not spring water. I would wait for the good stuff. Why make new tank syndrome worse with copper, phospates and heaven knows what else is in your tap water. __________________ Paul We are the people our parents warned us about Current Tank Info: 90 reef & 125 cichlid

08/09/2006, 08:29 PM	#3
malintner Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 78	I don't think your idea is good at all. What's in your tap water? If it is like most tap water, it will have things in it that will be harmful to your tank. Sure, you may not have anything in the tank now, but someday you will. Regardless of the number of water changes you do, the traces of chemicals that you will put in the tank will remain for a long time. The secret to success in this hobby is patience, and lots of it. Get the garbage water out of your tank. Wipe it down and refill it with RO/DI. Start right, end right. Besides, I'm pretty sure you are not thowing a party this weekend to show off your new tank anyway.

08/09/2006, 08:53 PM	#4
JCnflies Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Patchogue Posts: 410	Any chance the spring water would be OK?

08/09/2006, 10:57 PM	#5
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Spring water has minerals and things in it to make it tsate good. You want either RO/DI or distilled water not drinking water.

08/11/2006, 12:07 PM	#7
chip721 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alexandria, Virginia Posts: 1,260	It took me 3 days to produce enough RO water for my 90g. IMO with what you'll invest in livestock; it's best to start with the best water quality possible. Don't cut corner's here - especially if you already have the RO unit.

08/11/2006, 12:28 PM	#8
adeliel Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 190	I was wondering if rainwater collected from a raincatcher barrel good or not?

08/11/2006, 08:08 PM	#9
JCnflies Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Patchogue Posts: 410	Well, I put about 55 gallons in from my RO and about 35 gallons from a lfs RO. Finally, in my haste, I added acouple of gallons purified in my Brita water container. I am circulating now and figure all salt should be dissolved in the next couple of days. If I can get an electrician to run the wiring for the T5s, I hope to put the LR in by Sunday