distilled water for salt water tank?

moonyrat · 01/31/2010, 12:59 PM

Hi, it's me again! Could I use distilled water for my salt water tank? is it bad compare to RO water?thx

steelcity · 01/31/2010, 01:05 PM

it's better than tap but no where near as good as RO/DI. I would find a RO/DI especially for start up.

mudskipper1 · 01/31/2010, 01:17 PM

Distilled water is actually basically the same product as RO/DI, just a different process, as long as the still used is high quality, it is FINE to use for an aquarium.

mudskipper1 · 01/31/2010, 01:19 PM

Each process removes all non-H2O molecules and atoms, the RO/DI uses DI resin, the distilled uses the distillation process. There is NO difference in functionality between the two.

moonyrat · 01/31/2010, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mudskipper1

Distilled water is actually basically the same product as RO/DI, just a different process, as long as the still used is high quality, it is FINE to use for an aquarium.

thanks

hazmat319 · 01/31/2010, 01:22 PM

I used distilled quite a bit especially because my RO system was on the low end. I always kept a few gallons around just in case.

dwd5813 · 01/31/2010, 01:26 PM

what size aquarium are you talking about? reason i ask is that while distilled water is functionally similar to rodi, over time it becomes less cost effective. if you are setting up a nano it would take a while to reach the point at which it makes more sense to invest in your own rodi but buying a ton of distilled will get expensive in a hurry and make it more economical to have your own rodi. it's up to you, but it's a good idea to consider long term cost.

moonyrat · 01/31/2010, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwd5813

what size aquarium are you talking about? reason i ask is that while distilled water is functionally similar to rodi, over time it becomes less cost effective. if you are setting up a nano it would take a while to reach the point at which it makes more sense to invest in your own rodi but buying a ton of distilled will get expensive in a hurry and make it more economical to have your own rodi. it's up to you, but it's a good idea to consider long term cost.

I have a newly set up 29gal just over 1 month old with no skimmer, no sump, my water temp is between 22-23 degree Celsius

dwd5813 · 01/31/2010, 03:55 PM

at 29g, i'd be on the fence, but i'd lean toward getting my own rodi for a couple reasons.

1) control. i like the idea that i am monitoring the process from the start and can know the exact quality of the water i'm making.
2) convenience. i also like the idea that when i need water i can make it on the spot, and/or have a reserve on hand for emergencies. no need to run out to the store and lug a bunch of gallon containers around.
3) cost. this is where a 29 has me on the fence. with a tank that size it will be a little while before you reach the point at which you've recovered the investment in savings over buying distilled. that point will occur though, so i have to lean toward the personal rodi. there are plenty out there that are excellent systems at less than 200 dollars complete. set some money aside if you'd prefer to budget for the expense, and you can use the distilled in the meantime but i'd get an rodi in almost any case, save for small tanks like 10 or fewer gallons.

fleming3 · 01/31/2010, 04:42 PM

I have to agree that RO/DI is always the best - but if you use distilled water make sure you test it for copper. I'm not sure if all companies that make distilled water use copper piping in the process, but you don't want to inadvertently do some damage to your inverts.

moonyrat · 01/31/2010, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwd5813

at 29g, i'd be on the fence, but i'd lean toward getting my own rodi for a couple reasons.

1) control. i like the idea that i am monitoring the process from the start and can know the exact quality of the water i'm making.
2) convenience. i also like the idea that when i need water i can make it on the spot, and/or have a reserve on hand for emergencies. no need to run out to the store and lug a bunch of gallon containers around.
3) cost. this is where a 29 has me on the fence. with a tank that size it will be a little while before you reach the point at which you've recovered the investment in savings over buying distilled. that point will occur though, so i have to lean toward the personal rodi. there are plenty out there that are excellent systems at less than 200 dollars complete. set some money aside if you'd prefer to budget for the expense, and you can use the distilled in the meantime but i'd get an rodi in almost any case, save for small tanks like 10 or fewer gallons.

Sorry for being a noob, could you provide a few good rodi system suggestions

fleming3 · 01/31/2010, 04:51 PM

Hard to beat this deal: http://www.melevsreef.com/shop/index.html

- also try www.thefilterguys.biz. I've heard good things about both of these setups.

moonyrat · 01/31/2010, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fleming3

Hard to beat this deal: http://www.melevsreef.com/shop/index.html

- also try www.thefilterguys.biz. I've heard good things about both of these setups.

I will make a note, thank you for the suggestions!

dwd5813 · 01/31/2010, 05:07 PM

check through the sponsors here on rc. many of them have excellent deals

mudskipper1 · 01/31/2010, 05:24 PM

i got a buckeye field supply premium system, worked really well for me. $160

dwd5813 · 01/31/2010, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mudskipper1

i got a buckeye field supply premium system, worked really well for me. $160

i have and like the 75gpd version of this system.

moonyrat · 01/31/2010, 06:28 PM

I will look into more. Won't get it until May the earliest

stanlalee · 01/31/2010, 06:47 PM

distilled when handled properly (no contaminants added inadvertently thru holding/transporting ect) is the purest form of water available to us (as is RO/DI from purifier in tip top shape). the one advantage of distilled is its not subject to compromised filters, membranes, carbon blocks and DI resins that arent monitored and replaced as needed. the one advantage to RO/DI its like a 100x cheaper as Distilled is a somewhere around $.75/gallon. RO/DI is virtually free beyond the initial investment and cartridge replacement (I know the water bill but considering mine is like $50/month I'm chalking that up as a regular daily living expense RO water or not).

jeffmerrill · 01/31/2010, 07:29 PM

I second melevs, have had good results with bulk reef supply's as well.

loosecannon · 02/01/2010, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moonyrat

Hi, it's me again! Could I use distilled water for my salt water tank? is it bad compare to RO water?thx

It`s fine.

ultreef · 02/01/2010, 05:12 AM

Was using distilled water when I first got into this hobby. I had problem with cyno but can't say 100% it was better of the water. But since switchin to Ro/Di, no more cyno. And much cheaper and less labour.

lilredwuck · 02/01/2010, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stanlalee

(I know the water bill but considering mine is like $50/month I'm chalking that up as a regular daily living expense RO water or not).

I figured mine up and I pay $0.92 per 100 gallons of water. Then I pay $0.43 per 100 gallons of water used for sewer.

So between water and sewer I pay $1.35 per 100 gallons of water.

lilredwuck · 02/01/2010, 05:20 AM

opps double post

Bontrager · 02/01/2010, 07:34 AM

I have used distiller water in gallon jugs for years with excellent results.
Currently, .85 to .89 per gallon.
However the ph value of distilled water is 7.0 so you will have to raise it using a buffer of some sort.

I once used so called distilled water from a r/o water machine at .38 per gallon to top of my system.

This is when I encountered my first and LAST diatom bloom.

01/31/2010, 12:59 PM	#1
moonyrat Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 180	distilled water for salt water tank? Hi, it's me again! Could I use distilled water for my salt water tank? is it bad compare to RO water?thx

01/31/2010, 01:17 PM	#3
mudskipper1 Trust Me I'm an Engineer Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan Posts: 1,085	Distilled water is actually basically the same product as RO/DI, just a different process, as long as the still used is high quality, it is FINE to use for an aquarium. __________________ -Eric kazyakphoto.zenfolio.com Current Tank Info: 11 gallon DIY acrylic cube and 20L displays plumbed to a single sump, Kessil, Onyx, MP10, RKL

01/31/2010, 01:19 PM	#4
mudskipper1 Trust Me I'm an Engineer Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan Posts: 1,085	Each process removes all non-H2O molecules and atoms, the RO/DI uses DI resin, the distilled uses the distillation process. There is NO difference in functionality between the two. __________________ -Eric kazyakphoto.zenfolio.com Current Tank Info: 11 gallon DIY acrylic cube and 20L displays plumbed to a single sump, Kessil, Onyx, MP10, RKL

01/31/2010, 01:22 PM	#6
hazmat319 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Central CT Posts: 745	I used distilled quite a bit especially because my RO system was on the low end. I always kept a few gallons around just in case. __________________ Why yes....I really AM a reefer chick! Tank info: 75 gallon RR Deep Blue, Custom stand, 34 gal Trigger systems sump, 2 Sol Blue LED modules. Sweet! Born On date: 2/1/10

01/31/2010, 01:26 PM	#7
dwd5813 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: 813 Posts: 2,827	what size aquarium are you talking about? reason i ask is that while distilled water is functionally similar to rodi, over time it becomes less cost effective. if you are setting up a nano it would take a while to reach the point at which it makes more sense to invest in your own rodi but buying a ton of distilled will get expensive in a hurry and make it more economical to have your own rodi. it's up to you, but it's a good idea to consider long term cost. __________________ order some golf shoes, otherwise we'll never get out of this place alive. what can i say? in dog beers, i have only had one. - dublo8 Current Tank Info: 40B aiptasia farm

01/31/2010, 01:05 PM	#2
steelcity Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: tampa, fl Posts: 569	it's better than tap but no where near as good as RO/DI. I would find a RO/DI especially for start up.

01/31/2010, 03:55 PM	#9
dwd5813 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: 813 Posts: 2,827	at 29g, i'd be on the fence, but i'd lean toward getting my own rodi for a couple reasons. 1) control. i like the idea that i am monitoring the process from the start and can know the exact quality of the water i'm making. 2) convenience. i also like the idea that when i need water i can make it on the spot, and/or have a reserve on hand for emergencies. no need to run out to the store and lug a bunch of gallon containers around. 3) cost. this is where a 29 has me on the fence. with a tank that size it will be a little while before you reach the point at which you've recovered the investment in savings over buying distilled. that point will occur though, so i have to lean toward the personal rodi. there are plenty out there that are excellent systems at less than 200 dollars complete. set some money aside if you'd prefer to budget for the expense, and you can use the distilled in the meantime but i'd get an rodi in almost any case, save for small tanks like 10 or fewer gallons. __________________ order some golf shoes, otherwise we'll never get out of this place alive. what can i say? in dog beers, i have only had one. - dublo8 Current Tank Info: 40B aiptasia farm

01/31/2010, 04:42 PM	#10
fleming3 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Nashville Posts: 94	I have to agree that RO/DI is always the best - but if you use distilled water make sure you test it for copper. I'm not sure if all companies that make distilled water use copper piping in the process, but you don't want to inadvertently do some damage to your inverts.

01/31/2010, 04:51 PM	#12
fleming3 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Nashville Posts: 94	Hard to beat this deal: http://www.melevsreef.com/shop/index.html - also try www.thefilterguys.biz. I've heard good things about both of these setups.

01/31/2010, 05:07 PM	#14
dwd5813 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: 813 Posts: 2,827	check through the sponsors here on rc. many of them have excellent deals __________________ order some golf shoes, otherwise we'll never get out of this place alive. what can i say? in dog beers, i have only had one. - dublo8 Current Tank Info: 40B aiptasia farm

01/31/2010, 05:24 PM	#15
mudskipper1 Trust Me I'm an Engineer Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan Posts: 1,085	i got a buckeye field supply premium system, worked really well for me. $160 __________________ -Eric kazyakphoto.zenfolio.com Current Tank Info: 11 gallon DIY acrylic cube and 20L displays plumbed to a single sump, Kessil, Onyx, MP10, RKL

01/31/2010, 06:28 PM	#17
moonyrat Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 180	I will look into more. Won't get it until May the earliest

01/31/2010, 06:47 PM	#18
stanlalee Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: hampton roads, va Posts: 1,799	distilled when handled properly (no contaminants added inadvertently thru holding/transporting ect) is the purest form of water available to us (as is RO/DI from purifier in tip top shape). the one advantage of distilled is its not subject to compromised filters, membranes, carbon blocks and DI resins that arent monitored and replaced as needed. the one advantage to RO/DI its like a 100x cheaper as Distilled is a somewhere around $.75/gallon. RO/DI is virtually free beyond the initial investment and cartridge replacement (I know the water bill but considering mine is like $50/month I'm chalking that up as a regular daily living expense RO water or not).

01/31/2010, 07:29 PM	#19
jeffmerrill Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 51	I second melevs, have had good results with bulk reef supply's as well.

02/01/2010, 05:12 AM	#21
ultreef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Vancouver Posts: 110	Was using distilled water when I first got into this hobby. I had problem with cyno but can't say 100% it was better of the water. But since switchin to Ro/Di, no more cyno. And much cheaper and less labour.

02/01/2010, 05:20 AM	#23
lilredwuck Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Excelsior Springs, (Kansas City) Missouri but mainly LA-LA land Posts: 383	opps double post

02/01/2010, 07:34 AM	#24
Bontrager Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 123	I have used distiller water in gallon jugs for years with excellent results. Currently, .85 to .89 per gallon. However the ph value of distilled water is 7.0 so you will have to raise it using a buffer of some sort. I once used so called distilled water from a r/o water machine at .38 per gallon to top of my system. This is when I encountered my first and LAST diatom bloom.