No RODI in FOWLR Tank

floydie83 · 03/15/2010, 11:17 AM

I know someone getting rid of their FOWLR tank. I don't have RODI water and could get one soon. Would I be okay running without RODI water for a bit (i.e. Just treat it with chemicals and adding salt). I am not about to lug 75 gallons of RODI water from the store.

gkb · 03/15/2010, 11:25 AM

You should be fine, provided your water supply is not "terrible." If possible, you could pick up/borrow a TDS meter to evaluate your water supply.

drshdow · 03/15/2010, 11:27 AM

Your likely to have an algea bloom as a result of usin tap water. Also, if your not using any of his water, and starting fresh, the tank will likely cycle again, causing an ammonia spike and losing the fish.

floydie83 · 03/15/2010, 11:28 AM

here is a link the most recent report for my water:

http://www.a2gov.org/government/publ...uments/ccr.pdf

I'm not sure if this gives any insight other than nitrates are relatively low.

gkb · 03/15/2010, 11:36 AM

Thanks drshdow. I should have mentioned that you will want to use as much of the tank's original water as possible, for the initial setup.

thegrun · 03/15/2010, 11:36 AM

At minimum your nitrates are likely to cause algae problems. The problem is once nuisance algae get a hold on a tank they are very difficult to eradicate. What is wrong with lugging water up a stairway? We both know you could use the exercise.

floydie83 · 03/15/2010, 11:39 AM

maybe i should just the RO sooner...I wonder if that is helping cause algae blooms in my brackish tank...

drshdow · 03/15/2010, 11:43 AM

Could always appreciate the blessing of a free tank, or cheap if your throwing him any money, spring the $200 for a good ro/di, stock up some water, then have HIM lug the water up the stairs for you, as much as possible, and have nothing to worry about

Chiefsurfer · 03/15/2010, 12:03 PM

I wouldn't use that tap, but I wouldn't use any tap either.

What I don't like about that report is that maintenance items are REGULARLY done late, and filters have recently back-washed into the system. ALSO, they use chloramine, and I am not sure, but I don't think that you can treat your water for chloramine, like you can with plain old chlorine.

Wouldn't do it.

wooden_reefer · 03/15/2010, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drshdow

Your likely to have an algea bloom as a result of usin tap water. Also, if your not using any of his water, and starting fresh, the tank will likely cycle again, causing an ammonia spike and losing the fish.

The issue of nitrification bacteria is never in the water.

Whether there will be another cycle depends solely on what you do with, or do not do with, the medium of filtration, the rock in most cases.

The amount of nitrification bacteria in the water at one time is not high.

drshdow · 03/15/2010, 03:24 PM

So with that said, why not just use tap water to top off? Im not trying to say you are wrong, i'm still quite new to the hobby and basically just repeating what i've read. Why in all other posts is high nitrtites and algea blooms blamed on using tap water? In fact, most issues are traced back to not using ro/di. If not for him but then for my own curiosity.

wooden_reefer · 03/15/2010, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drshdow

So with that said, why not just use tap water to top off? Im not trying to say you are wrong, i'm still quite new to the hobby and basically just repeating what i've read. Why in all other posts is high nitrtites and algea blooms blamed on using tap water? In fact, most issues are traced back to not using ro/di. If not for him but then for my own curiosity.

Some tap water can have high nitrate.

If you live near an agricultural area your well water can be high in nitrate.

There is also silica in tap water that diatom needs.

JLAURIA751 · 03/15/2010, 04:46 PM

I won't drink the tap water in my house. I certainly won't let my fish live in it. If you tasted the tap water in Florida you would understand.

floydie83 · 03/15/2010, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLAURIA751

I won't drink the tap water in my house. I certainly won't let my fish live in it. If you tasted the tap water in Florida you would understand.

This is true FL water tastes like rotten eggs.

03/15/2010, 11:17 AM	#1
floydie83 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Lawrence, KS Posts: 287	No RODI in FOWLR Tank I know someone getting rid of their FOWLR tank. I don't have RODI water and could get one soon. Would I be okay running without RODI water for a bit (i.e. Just treat it with chemicals and adding salt). I am not about to lug 75 gallons of RODI water from the store.

03/15/2010, 11:27 AM	#3
drshdow Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 75	Your likely to have an algea bloom as a result of usin tap water. Also, if your not using any of his water, and starting fresh, the tank will likely cycle again, causing an ammonia spike and losing the fish. __________________ (1) Blue Hippos Tang 3" (2) Cinnamon Clowns 2.5" (2) Engineer Goby 6" (1) Damsel 1" (1) Peppermint Shrimp A few Blue and Scarlet Hermits Zoas, Kenya Trees, Torch Current Tank Info: 100G, 55G sump/fuge, Mag24, T5's, 150lbs LR, 1"sandbed

03/15/2010, 11:43 AM	#8
drshdow Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 75	Could always appreciate the blessing of a free tank, or cheap if your throwing him any money, spring the $200 for a good ro/di, stock up some water, then have HIM lug the water up the stairs for you, as much as possible, and have nothing to worry about __________________ (1) Blue Hippos Tang 3" (2) Cinnamon Clowns 2.5" (2) Engineer Goby 6" (1) Damsel 1" (1) Peppermint Shrimp A few Blue and Scarlet Hermits Zoas, Kenya Trees, Torch Current Tank Info: 100G, 55G sump/fuge, Mag24, T5's, 150lbs LR, 1"sandbed

03/15/2010, 12:03 PM	#9
Chiefsurfer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seaside Park, NJ Posts: 2,138	I wouldn't use that tap, but I wouldn't use any tap either. What I don't like about that report is that maintenance items are REGULARLY done late, and filters have recently back-washed into the system. ALSO, they use chloramine, and I am not sure, but I don't think that you can treat your water for chloramine, like you can with plain old chlorine. Wouldn't do it. __________________ Chief Current Tank: 20 Gallon tall, 4-bulb t5 HO, Eshopps psk75H, ac-70 fuge. So far, green clown goby, striped goby, more gorillas than I wish I had, 5 SPS frags, 3 LPS Frags, 1 Softee, Turkey Wing Clam. Plan for the future: 120 gallon 4ft glass tank. Current Tank Info: 20 gallon tall Reef Tank

03/15/2010, 03:24 PM	#11
drshdow Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 75	So with that said, why not just use tap water to top off? Im not trying to say you are wrong, i'm still quite new to the hobby and basically just repeating what i've read. Why in all other posts is high nitrtites and algea blooms blamed on using tap water? In fact, most issues are traced back to not using ro/di. If not for him but then for my own curiosity. __________________ (1) Blue Hippos Tang 3" (2) Cinnamon Clowns 2.5" (2) Engineer Goby 6" (1) Damsel 1" (1) Peppermint Shrimp A few Blue and Scarlet Hermits Zoas, Kenya Trees, Torch Current Tank Info: 100G, 55G sump/fuge, Mag24, T5's, 150lbs LR, 1"sandbed

03/15/2010, 11:25 AM	#2
gkb Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 118	You should be fine, provided your water supply is not "terrible." If possible, you could pick up/borrow a TDS meter to evaluate your water supply.

03/15/2010, 11:28 AM	#4
floydie83 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Lawrence, KS Posts: 287	here is a link the most recent report for my water: http://www.a2gov.org/government/publ...uments/ccr.pdf I'm not sure if this gives any insight other than nitrates are relatively low.

03/15/2010, 11:36 AM	#5
gkb Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 118	Thanks drshdow. I should have mentioned that you will want to use as much of the tank's original water as possible, for the initial setup.

03/15/2010, 11:36 AM	#6
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	At minimum your nitrates are likely to cause algae problems. The problem is once nuisance algae get a hold on a tank they are very difficult to eradicate. What is wrong with lugging water up a stairway? We both know you could use the exercise.

03/15/2010, 11:39 AM	#7
floydie83 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Lawrence, KS Posts: 287	maybe i should just the RO sooner...I wonder if that is helping cause algae blooms in my brackish tank...

03/15/2010, 04:46 PM	#13
JLAURIA751 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 517	I won't drink the tap water in my house. I certainly won't let my fish live in it. If you tasted the tap water in Florida you would understand.