Water Change Question.

dakotakid846 · 02/05/2010, 01:09 PM

I recently started a 28G Nano Cube and was purchasing my RO water from a LFS instead of buying a RO unit, reason being a few dollars for a few gallons of water was easier on the wallet then spending $100+ on an RO unit.

But the LFS that was supplying me went out of business and the others said they dont sell their RO.

Would using purified bottled water be ok for my water changes???

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks!

stevek480 · 02/05/2010, 02:05 PM

Bottled water or distilled water are definitely better than tap water, but nothing beats RO/DI water. All in all, you can use it. Just don't use the tap water up there in Bergen County, I tested it not too long ago and was reading 5-10ppm in nitrates.

crownjules · 02/05/2010, 02:08 PM

Grocery stores will usually sell distilled water as well. In the long run, if you can afford the upfront cost an RO/DI unit will pay itself off quickly. Not only in the cost per gallon of water produced but also saved transportation costs and the convenience factor.

miztahphong2 · 02/05/2010, 02:14 PM

bottled water can get expensive. i started out doing the same thing and ever since spending money on the ro/di just the convenience of having the water on hand is worth it. it is something worth saving for especially being in the hobby.

undrtkr_00 · 02/05/2010, 02:38 PM

Dunno if it is true of NJ, but out West here, most grocery stores have dispenser machines for RO/DI water. You have to fill the jug yourself, but the price is pretty cheap (30¢-50¢/gal). Bring your own jugs.

Because you don't know when/how often they change out their filters, it is somewhat less reliable than your LFS or having your own unit, but should be much better than tap water.

HTH

IslandCrow · 02/05/2010, 04:06 PM

The dispenser machines, while cheaper, have varying degrees of purity. I just saw a post recently from someone who took a TDS (total dissolved solids) reading from one of these machines, and the results were twice as high as my tap water. Of course, TDS certainly isn't the end-all, be-all test, but it sounds rather disturbing to me. The bottled water seems to be much more consistant, but that will indeed get quite expensive over time. I definitely understand that buying your own unit can be a big hit to your wallet. I'll make a couple suggestions:

1. Buy a TDS meter (most online fish stores carry them, as well as those that sell RO units), and use it to test the water from one of the grocery store machines. As long as it's in the low teens, you're probably OK. Otherwise, I'd go for the bottled water.

2. Set aside a little money each month until you can buy your own RO/DI. It's going to save you a lot of money in the long run. I'd make this your #1 priority for your tank.

spleify · 02/05/2010, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IslandCrow

2. Set aside a little money each month until you can buy your own RO/DI. It's going to save you a lot of money in the long run. I'd make this your #1 priority for your tank.

+1 on this for sure

dakotakid846 · 02/05/2010, 05:36 PM

My reasoning for not getting a RO unit is that even if I do a 10% WC weekly....it costs me about $3. At that rate it would take about a year to equal the cost of one of the cheaper end RO units. Of course I realize that if I had a larger water demand then a RO would be a definite investment, but for 3 gallons a week.... Plus I dont have the cost of maintaining the unit, adding to the cost.

Thanks for the feedback....

undrtkr_00 · 02/05/2010, 07:07 PM

Yeah, the cheap TDS meter is a very good idea.

I tested dispenser water from stores in my area and always came up with 0 TDS. If yours came up with double TDS of your tap water and you are on the same water system, then they have the machine hooked up backwards or something (you are getting the RO waste stream instead of the purified stream). You should probably notify the store that they have a problem.

Anyway, it may be worth a shot, especially if you get a TDS meter to check the quality.

one clownfish · 02/05/2010, 07:22 PM

The dispenser water is probably not DI. From everything I've read its not good for people to drink. Start posting and get your 50, I'm sure you'll find one for sale real cheap $40-50. I only use a simple 3 stage and my water comes out perfect. Just make sure it has a newer RO membrane and you should be ok.

garzaci · 02/05/2010, 07:22 PM

I use a Culligan dispenser at the store. Perfect water. Plus it has a UV on it too. 37 cents a gal. With my 20 gal tank changing 2 gal a week will take me a long time to make it worth while. Not to mention the maintenance costs of new filters. If I eventually get a bigger tank then I'm definitely going to get one, but for 74 cents for a water change and another 74 cents in topoff weekly its not a big investment for me yet.

IslandCrow · 02/06/2010, 04:23 PM

Don't forget to add top-off water into your cost analysis for getting your own RO/DI unit. Convenience was also a big consideration for me. Lastly, you have to decide what you'd be willing to pay for the purity of water you'll get. But I certainly understand where you're coming from. . .on the other side of the coin, you'll also have the cost of replacing filter cartridges. If you can find a water source of acceptable quality and price and decide to go that route, you should be just fine.

02/05/2010, 04:06 PM	#6
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	The dispenser machines, while cheaper, have varying degrees of purity. I just saw a post recently from someone who took a TDS (total dissolved solids) reading from one of these machines, and the results were twice as high as my tap water. Of course, TDS certainly isn't the end-all, be-all test, but it sounds rather disturbing to me. The bottled water seems to be much more consistant, but that will indeed get quite expensive over time. I definitely understand that buying your own unit can be a big hit to your wallet. I'll make a couple suggestions: 1. Buy a TDS meter (most online fish stores carry them, as well as those that sell RO units), and use it to test the water from one of the grocery store machines. As long as it's in the low teens, you're probably OK. Otherwise, I'd go for the bottled water. 2. Set aside a little money each month until you can buy your own RO/DI. It's going to save you a lot of money in the long run. I'd make this your #1 priority for your tank. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

02/05/2010, 07:22 PM	#11
garzaci Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Richlands, NC Posts: 241	I use a Culligan dispenser at the store. Perfect water. Plus it has a UV on it too. 37 cents a gal. With my 20 gal tank changing 2 gal a week will take me a long time to make it worth while. Not to mention the maintenance costs of new filters. If I eventually get a bigger tank then I'm definitely going to get one, but for 74 cents for a water change and another 74 cents in topoff weekly its not a big investment for me yet. __________________ Carlos No tank at all. Sold everything when I got stationed in Okinawa. Planning for when I return though. Current Tank Info: 20 gal reef tank

02/06/2010, 04:23 PM	#12
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	Don't forget to add top-off water into your cost analysis for getting your own RO/DI unit. Convenience was also a big consideration for me. Lastly, you have to decide what you'd be willing to pay for the purity of water you'll get. But I certainly understand where you're coming from. . .on the other side of the coin, you'll also have the cost of replacing filter cartridges. If you can find a water source of acceptable quality and price and decide to go that route, you should be just fine. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

02/05/2010, 01:09 PM	#1
dakotakid846 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bergen County, New Jersey Posts: 23	Water Change Question. I recently started a 28G Nano Cube and was purchasing my RO water from a LFS instead of buying a RO unit, reason being a few dollars for a few gallons of water was easier on the wallet then spending $100+ on an RO unit. But the LFS that was supplying me went out of business and the others said they dont sell their RO. Would using purified bottled water be ok for my water changes??? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated... Thanks!

02/05/2010, 02:05 PM	#2
stevek480 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Flemington, NJ Posts: 605	Bottled water or distilled water are definitely better than tap water, but nothing beats RO/DI water. All in all, you can use it. Just don't use the tap water up there in Bergen County, I tested it not too long ago and was reading 5-10ppm in nitrates.

02/05/2010, 02:08 PM	#3
crownjules Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 23	Grocery stores will usually sell distilled water as well. In the long run, if you can afford the upfront cost an RO/DI unit will pay itself off quickly. Not only in the cost per gallon of water produced but also saved transportation costs and the convenience factor.

02/05/2010, 02:14 PM	#4
miztahphong2 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 53	bottled water can get expensive. i started out doing the same thing and ever since spending money on the ro/di just the convenience of having the water on hand is worth it. it is something worth saving for especially being in the hobby.

02/05/2010, 02:38 PM	#5
undrtkr_00 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 50	Dunno if it is true of NJ, but out West here, most grocery stores have dispenser machines for RO/DI water. You have to fill the jug yourself, but the price is pretty cheap (30¢-50¢/gal). Bring your own jugs. Because you don't know when/how often they change out their filters, it is somewhat less reliable than your LFS or having your own unit, but should be much better than tap water. HTH

02/05/2010, 05:36 PM	#8
dakotakid846 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bergen County, New Jersey Posts: 23	My reasoning for not getting a RO unit is that even if I do a 10% WC weekly....it costs me about $3. At that rate it would take about a year to equal the cost of one of the cheaper end RO units. Of course I realize that if I had a larger water demand then a RO would be a definite investment, but for 3 gallons a week.... Plus I dont have the cost of maintaining the unit, adding to the cost. Thanks for the feedback....

02/05/2010, 07:07 PM	#9
undrtkr_00 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 50	Yeah, the cheap TDS meter is a very good idea. I tested dispenser water from stores in my area and always came up with 0 TDS. If yours came up with double TDS of your tap water and you are on the same water system, then they have the machine hooked up backwards or something (you are getting the RO waste stream instead of the purified stream). You should probably notify the store that they have a problem. Anyway, it may be worth a shot, especially if you get a TDS meter to check the quality.

02/05/2010, 07:22 PM	#10
one clownfish Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 279	The dispenser water is probably not DI. From everything I've read its not good for people to drink. Start posting and get your 50, I'm sure you'll find one for sale real cheap $40-50. I only use a simple 3 stage and my water comes out perfect. Just make sure it has a newer RO membrane and you should be ok.