Rusty tap water?

vsco · 11/18/2010, 12:12 AM

The tap water in my appartment is almost always a rusty brown color. I used the facet in the bathroom which isn't nearly as bad at the kitchen water when I filled my 50 gallon tank about 10 days ago. I used aquasafe as a decolorinator, but the more I continue to learn about reef tanks the more worried I am about the rust.

How bad is rust for fist and corals/invertibrates? Do I need a RO/DI filter for all water I put in the tank? Should I drain the tank and start over?

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks

Dex · 11/18/2010, 12:17 AM

I would drain and start over with RO/DI water just to be safe. You never know what is in tap water.. HTH

streak · 11/18/2010, 12:24 AM

I would get a nice 5 stage ro/di unit like a typhoon III from air water and ice and add extra sediment prefilter to it... but thats just me.. Depends on water pressure too.. if thats below say 45-50 psi i would go all out and grab a booster pump.. too..

cpl40475 · 11/18/2010, 01:26 AM

If your water is rusty looking its untelling what all is being introduced in your tank. Id deffinately buy an RO/DI and use it or buy some from a LFS. Do this now to keep you from having major headaches and possible loss of fish and corals in the long run. Its really best to start with as much right as you possibly can. I would deffinately drain it out and start over with new RO water.

aleonn · 11/18/2010, 01:54 AM

Bring a sample of the water to the LFS to get it tested for TDS (total dissolved solvants) and possibly metals. Big +1 to purchasing your own RO/DI. BRS sells a good 5-stage plus unit at a competitive price.

dkh0331 · 11/18/2010, 04:57 AM

Firm believer of all water in at tank should be RO/DI here.

devilsthird · 11/18/2010, 07:16 AM

If you have rusty water have the water heater checked in your apartment. You may be looking at a flooded apartment because of an old water heater soon.

KeMo · 11/18/2010, 09:04 AM

I am kinda shocked that you would ask such a Q. If the water is brown or orange that is a sure sign that you should not use it. Wait unless you wait a saltwater tank that has a brown hue to it. j/k
You need an RO/DI 100%
But what I am wondering about is if you asked if it is ok to use brown water it really looks like you need to do Alot More Ready on this hobby before you attempt at keeping any sort of fish weather it is freshwater or saltwater.

KeMo · 11/18/2010, 09:05 AM

I am kinda shocked that you would ask such a Q. If the water is brown or orange that is a sure sign that you should not use it. Wait unless you want a saltwater tank that has a brown hue to it. j/k
You need an RO/DI 100%
But what I am wondering about is , if you asked "if it is ok to use brown water" it really looks like you need to do Alot More Ready on this hobby before you attempt at keeping any sort of fish weather it is freshwater or saltwater.

jeff@zina.com · 11/18/2010, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsco

The tap water in my appartment is almost always a rusty brown color.

Time to move.

Jeff

Vin7250 · 11/18/2010, 09:46 AM

Big no no right there, also bringing the water after its been filled in your tank and had salt added to it not gonna work.... its too late to have it tested for tds..... i would hope a tds meter (total desolved solids) meter would pick up the salt you added in lol...... RO/DI or ro water from walmart.... no tap in that tank, and to be honest RO/DI will probably be best but the filters will get worn out VERY fast if you really do have rusty water. Probably time to move like jeff said. Screw the reef (well not really I love reef) but your health in the long run is most important

mike_cmu04 · 11/18/2010, 09:54 AM

Get an rodi or get water from the lfs. If you keep using water from your tap you are going to have serious problems.

11/18/2010, 12:12 AM	#1
vsco Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 184	Rusty tap water? The tap water in my appartment is almost always a rusty brown color. I used the facet in the bathroom which isn't nearly as bad at the kitchen water when I filled my 50 gallon tank about 10 days ago. I used aquasafe as a decolorinator, but the more I continue to learn about reef tanks the more worried I am about the rust. How bad is rust for fist and corals/invertibrates? Do I need a RO/DI filter for all water I put in the tank? Should I drain the tank and start over? Any help would be appreciated! Thanks

11/18/2010, 12:24 AM	#3
streak Reef Madness! Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Perryville, Missouri Posts: 616	I would get a nice 5 stage ro/di unit like a typhoon III from air water and ice and add extra sediment prefilter to it... but thats just me.. Depends on water pressure too.. if thats below say 45-50 psi i would go all out and grab a booster pump.. too.. __________________ The Shoe String Budget Reef Aquarium. Possible?? Compared to 7 55 breeding Discus days well we see and try! :P Current Tank Info: 10g nano with 2 clowns 1 Royal Gorama 1 RBTA!

11/18/2010, 01:26 AM	#4
cpl40475 Just hanging out Join Date: May 2007 Location: ky Posts: 786	If your water is rusty looking its untelling what all is being introduced in your tank. Id deffinately buy an RO/DI and use it or buy some from a LFS. Do this now to keep you from having major headaches and possible loss of fish and corals in the long run. Its really best to start with as much right as you possibly can. I would deffinately drain it out and start over with new RO water. __________________ Im just a redneck in a city slickers lifestyle Current Tank Info: WORKING ON IT

11/18/2010, 04:57 AM	#6
dkh0331 Es gibt keinen ersatz Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Close to the edge, down by a river Posts: 3,581	Firm believer of all water in at tank should be RO/DI here. __________________ Just found out that grandpa has a drug addiction. He is addicted to viagra. No one is taking it harder than grandma.

11/18/2010, 09:04 AM	#8
KeMo Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto Posts: 357	I am kinda shocked that you would ask such a Q. If the water is brown or orange that is a sure sign that you should not use it. Wait unless you wait a saltwater tank that has a brown hue to it. j/k You need an RO/DI 100% But what I am wondering about is if you asked if it is ok to use brown water it really looks like you need to do Alot More Ready on this hobby before you attempt at keeping any sort of fish weather it is freshwater or saltwater. __________________ 39Gal Reef Tank. 40 Lbs Fiji LR , 25 Lbs Fiji LS DeltecMce600,MP10-es Specs-ph8.0-8.3,salinity1.024-6,calcium450,alkalinity,8.4-9.4,magnesium1400.Temp.77-78 Blue Mandarin,BTA,Mushroom,ToadStool,Torch,cuc Current Tank Info: 30 gal Reef

11/18/2010, 12:17 AM	#2
Dex Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: CA Posts: 82	I would drain and start over with RO/DI water just to be safe. You never know what is in tap water.. HTH

11/18/2010, 01:54 AM	#5
aleonn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 4,041	Bring a sample of the water to the LFS to get it tested for TDS (total dissolved solvants) and possibly metals. Big +1 to purchasing your own RO/DI. BRS sells a good 5-stage plus unit at a competitive price.

11/18/2010, 07:16 AM	#7
devilsthird Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 63	If you have rusty water have the water heater checked in your apartment. You may be looking at a flooded apartment because of an old water heater soon.

11/18/2010, 09:05 AM	#9
KeMo Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto Posts: 357	I am kinda shocked that you would ask such a Q. If the water is brown or orange that is a sure sign that you should not use it. Wait unless you want a saltwater tank that has a brown hue to it. j/k You need an RO/DI 100% But what I am wondering about is , if you asked "if it is ok to use brown water" it really looks like you need to do Alot More Ready on this hobby before you attempt at keeping any sort of fish weather it is freshwater or saltwater. __________________ 39Gal Reef Tank. 40 Lbs Fiji LR , 25 Lbs Fiji LS DeltecMce600,MP10-es Specs-ph8.0-8.3,salinity1.024-6,calcium450,alkalinity,8.4-9.4,magnesium1400.Temp.77-78 Blue Mandarin,BTA,Mushroom,ToadStool,Torch,cuc Current Tank Info: 30 gal Reef

11/18/2010, 09:46 AM	#11
Vin7250 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Connecticut "The Big East" Posts: 1,144	Big no no right there, also bringing the water after its been filled in your tank and had salt added to it not gonna work.... its too late to have it tested for tds..... i would hope a tds meter (total desolved solids) meter would pick up the salt you added in lol...... RO/DI or ro water from walmart.... no tap in that tank, and to be honest RO/DI will probably be best but the filters will get worn out VERY fast if you really do have rusty water. Probably time to move like jeff said. Screw the reef (well not really I love reef) but your health in the long run is most important

11/18/2010, 09:54 AM	#12
mike_cmu04 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Shepherd, Mi Posts: 2,348	Get an rodi or get water from the lfs. If you keep using water from your tap you are going to have serious problems. __________________ 92 Gallon corner tank, 2-radion gen 2 led lights, 2 mp40's Current Tank Info: 92 Gallon Corner Tank

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