Tap vs RO water?

IShark · 09/14/2010, 01:15 PM

Im starting a new 95gal reef tank. I am not going to rush into setting it up. I want to fill the tank and let it cycle 4 a while with just sand and LR with powerheads, But I have been told that never to use tap water and then today I was told that I should use tap water since im cycling a new tank and it wont matter. Is this true?

Pickupman66 · 09/14/2010, 01:55 PM

it does matter. with tap, you are introducing whatever is in your tap into your tank. if it has phosphates in it, the rock can soak them up. that said, it will take all day to fill your tank wiht RO water. FWIW, I filled my 180 with tap. then switched to better water.

RocketSurgeon · 09/14/2010, 02:01 PM

Tap water should not be used. That being said, many of us, including myself have used it. One of those do as I say, not as I do kind of moment. Tap water contains impurities that you do not want, and will potentially lead to algae growth.

I filled my 75 and sump with tap initially, now I have purchased a RO/DI unit and all my top off and water changes are RO/DI water.

RocketSurgeon · 09/14/2010, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pickupman66

it will take all day to fill your tank wiht RO water.

Saltwater is a patience game. Might as well start waiting from the beginning.

IShark · 09/14/2010, 02:15 PM

This is what i have done so far. I filled up about 30 gal of my tank with water from a friends aquarium when he did his water change. I was told this is good established water that will be good for a new tank and I am going to fill the rest of my tank with tap water that i will treat with tap water conditioner or whatever. This is just to fill the tank and get it circulating. after that i will use nothing but RO water for changes and top offs. Would this be okay?

RocketSurgeon · 09/14/2010, 02:25 PM

I don't use other people's water, the benefits are in the sand and rock, and not necessarily in the water itself.

When you add new fish, you do not put their water in your tank. I don't put their water in my tank without adding fish either.

Just remember that being OK to do something may not be IDEAL or Recommended.

IShark · 09/14/2010, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RocketSurgeon

I don't use other people's water, the benefits are in the sand and rock, and not necessarily in the water itself.

When you add new fish, you do not put their water in your tank. I don't put their water in my tank without adding fish either.

Just remember that being OK to do something may not be IDEAL or Recommended.

Very good point. Well I think im going to get treated tap water mix in the salt and then put that into my tank to start my cycle. I wont be adding fish for a while. I just dont wanna pay like $60 for water and then I'd have to make like 2 or 3 trips to the LFS to haul it back. Not fun. I have a RO/DI, but its not set up yet.

theatrus · 09/14/2010, 03:28 PM

A ton depends on what your local tap water looks like. I've had tap water which wouldn't even work correctly with salt mixes (the alkalinity would by sky high and precipitate like crazy, making expensive sand each time).

Another concern is nitrate and phosphate concentrations of your water - the legal limits here are fairly high for what is considered ideal for reef aquariums.

Remember, water quality is #1 when it comes to aquariums - bad water quality is bad for your livestock.

lordofthereef · 09/14/2010, 03:42 PM

The quickest and easiest answer is you know what you are getting into with DI water. You don't always know what you are getting into with tap. Even if you test your tap water, an additive added weeks/months/years down the line can wipe out your tank and you may not even know it was put there (read Paul B's comments on this, I believe he wrote about it just today). Plenty of people get away with using tap water only. Plenty of people also live long and healthy lives while still smoking four packs a day. That neither makes it the norm nor does it make it recommended.

Hartdude · 09/14/2010, 03:44 PM

I would strongly advise against it! I have filled aquariums with tap, and some with RO/DI; let me tell you that the problems you face one, two, or six months down the road will be drastically less when using RO/DI water. Green Hair Algae, Diatoms, Cyano, Nitrates, Phosphates, and more all flourish in poor water conditions.

IMHO, the $60 or a few trips to the LFS now is well worth it now. You can also find a good grocery store with a filtered water station to fill your jugs. Just check the card they keep with them to be certain the machine has been serviced recently and the TDS is within acceptable limits.

trb · 09/14/2010, 03:54 PM

I would wait and set up your RO/DI and use it! That's what you got it for!

Also, if you have any local reefers with a RO/DI unit, maybe you could buy some water from them? I paid a local guy $.20 a gallon for my RO/DI water, 50 gallons for $10. It would be well worth it to me to spend the money now, and avoid algae and other issues later. I've had no problems (knock on wood!) with algae since I set mine up almost a year ago. Even the hair algae on the live rocks I bought, died off!

Good luck on it!

RocketSurgeon · 09/14/2010, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trb

i would wait and set up your ro/di and use it! That's what you got it for! :d also, if you have any local reefers with a ro/di unit, maybe you could buy some water from them? I paid a local guy $.20 a gallon for my ro/di water, 50 gallons for $10. It would be well worth it to me to spend the money now, and avoid algae and other issues later. I've had no problems (knock on wood!) with algae since i set mine up almost a year ago. Even the hair algae on the live rocks i bought, died off!

Good luck on it!

+1

09/14/2010, 01:55 PM	#2
Pickupman66 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Winchester, TN Posts: 3,714	it does matter. with tap, you are introducing whatever is in your tap into your tank. if it has phosphates in it, the rock can soak them up. that said, it will take all day to fill your tank wiht RO water. FWIW, I filled my 180 with tap. then switched to better water. __________________ What a Pretty day to stick your head in your tank and stare at your corals. 15 years reef keeping experience in old school simplistic ways. /><{{{{"> Archon BETA Current Tank Info: 66 Gallon SCA Rimless, Custom 40 Breeder sump, DC pumps, Lumentek Pro 240 controlled by my Archon

09/14/2010, 03:28 PM	#8
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	A ton depends on what your local tap water looks like. I've had tap water which wouldn't even work correctly with salt mixes (the alkalinity would by sky high and precipitate like crazy, making expensive sand each time). Another concern is nitrate and phosphate concentrations of your water - the legal limits here are fairly high for what is considered ideal for reef aquariums. Remember, water quality is #1 when it comes to aquariums - bad water quality is bad for your livestock. __________________ Custom electronics purveyor. blueAcro.com Current Tank Info: 90g SPS+mixed reef (10 yrs): LEDBrick LEDs, 40g custom sump, Ca reactor, chiller, Vortech, lots of custom electronics Last edited by theatrus; 09/14/2010 at 04:04 PM.

09/14/2010, 03:42 PM	#9
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	The quickest and easiest answer is you know what you are getting into with DI water. You don't always know what you are getting into with tap. Even if you test your tap water, an additive added weeks/months/years down the line can wipe out your tank and you may not even know it was put there (read Paul B's comments on this, I believe he wrote about it just today). Plenty of people get away with using tap water only. Plenty of people also live long and healthy lives while still smoking four packs a day. That neither makes it the norm nor does it make it recommended. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

09/14/2010, 03:54 PM	#11
trb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 234	I would wait and set up your RO/DI and use it! That's what you got it for! Also, if you have any local reefers with a RO/DI unit, maybe you could buy some water from them? I paid a local guy $.20 a gallon for my RO/DI water, 50 gallons for $10. It would be well worth it to me to spend the money now, and avoid algae and other issues later. I've had no problems (knock on wood!) with algae since I set mine up almost a year ago. Even the hair algae on the live rocks I bought, died off! Good luck on it! __________________ Thomas member of MARSHreef - the Marine and Reef Society of Houston. Current Tank Info: 60+ Gal top reef display + 29 gal non reef safe lower display + 29 gal sump

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Do you have to have RO water?-HELP!	nbku3vm	Reef Discussion	14	03/02/2010 04:45 AM
Changing from Tap to RO water	zhewitt04	New to the Hobby	7	12/05/2009 08:48 AM
Anemone keepers: Do you use tap or RO water?	garygb	Anemones & Clownfish	13	01/03/2008 09:59 PM
tap to ro water change	angelfishman145	Upstate Reef Society	4	12/05/2006 08:45 PM
Changing Temp and tap to RO water	JenK	New to the Hobby	3	01/23/2006 06:47 AM

09/14/2010, 01:15 PM	#1
IShark Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Arlington Texas Posts: 188	Tap vs RO water? Im starting a new 95gal reef tank. I am not going to rush into setting it up. I want to fill the tank and let it cycle 4 a while with just sand and LR with powerheads, But I have been told that never to use tap water and then today I was told that I should use tap water since im cycling a new tank and it wont matter. Is this true?

09/14/2010, 02:01 PM	#3
RocketSurgeon Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 653	Tap water should not be used. That being said, many of us, including myself have used it. One of those do as I say, not as I do kind of moment. Tap water contains impurities that you do not want, and will potentially lead to algae growth. I filled my 75 and sump with tap initially, now I have purchased a RO/DI unit and all my top off and water changes are RO/DI water.

09/14/2010, 02:15 PM	#5
IShark Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Arlington Texas Posts: 188	This is what i have done so far. I filled up about 30 gal of my tank with water from a friends aquarium when he did his water change. I was told this is good established water that will be good for a new tank and I am going to fill the rest of my tank with tap water that i will treat with tap water conditioner or whatever. This is just to fill the tank and get it circulating. after that i will use nothing but RO water for changes and top offs. Would this be okay?

09/14/2010, 02:25 PM	#6
RocketSurgeon Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 653	I don't use other people's water, the benefits are in the sand and rock, and not necessarily in the water itself. When you add new fish, you do not put their water in your tank. I don't put their water in my tank without adding fish either. Just remember that being OK to do something may not be IDEAL or Recommended.

09/14/2010, 03:44 PM	#10
Hartdude Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Ashland, NE Posts: 342	I would strongly advise against it! I have filled aquariums with tap, and some with RO/DI; let me tell you that the problems you face one, two, or six months down the road will be drastically less when using RO/DI water. Green Hair Algae, Diatoms, Cyano, Nitrates, Phosphates, and more all flourish in poor water conditions. IMHO, the $60 or a few trips to the LFS now is well worth it now. You can also find a good grocery store with a filtered water station to fill your jugs. Just check the card they keep with them to be certain the machine has been serviced recently and the TDS is within acceptable limits.