Top off with tap water???

jbittner · 06/06/2006, 08:17 AM

I recently move back to Nebraska. When I arrived at my new place I had totally forgotten about my RODI unit. In a water need moment I used tap water in my auto top off system. I have never seen my softies so happy. I continued to use the tap water for my top off. During the move I almost lost a monti cap (90% bleached w/ no visable polyps) In 2 weeks the bleaching is down to 10%. Every thing in the tank looks great full polyp extention amazing growth, but am I heading for failure.

JmLee · 06/06/2006, 08:30 AM

I think the only problem it will present is excess algae. My brother has beeing doing water changes with tap water in hes 250gallon tank for years, he has a few large angels and small fish along with alot of soft corals. They are all doing good, the only problem i see that he runs into is excessive algae. I my self always stick with RO water. Any how best of luck.

nodbugger · 06/06/2006, 08:36 AM

Sometimes things like the extra stuff floating around there, squeaky clean isn't what nature is all about.

I would test it to make sure there wasn't excessive amounts of anything harmful in there, but as long as that is good, the ph is good, and you keep doing good water changes I don't see a problem.

jbittner · 06/06/2006, 08:49 AM

No algae problems. Some slimey algae on my pumps but it brushes right off. I had never used tap water before but I had to and so far I see positive results. My tank is 8 yrs old. It is a 55gal w/ flow though refugium and cheato.

MCary · 06/06/2006, 09:09 AM

Tap water is not poison. It may be perfectly fine. The biggest problem with tap water is its uncertainty. With RO/DI you know exactly whats in it. If your tap water is real hard then constant top-off will concentrate the minerals similiar to what happens to salt when topping off with salt water. The minerals don't evaporate with the water. If the main mineral is calcium, maybe that wouldn't be so bad.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 06/06/2006, 11:10 AM

I agree that the biggest problem with tap water use is uncertainty. In some cases it is OK (at least if treated for chlorine or chloramine as the case may be) and in others it is totally unacceptable and will kill a reef. It is hard to judge since your water may be completely different in suitability from your next door neighbor since some of the big problems (like copper) can come from your own pipes.

This article has more:

Tap Water in Reef Aquaria
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2004/chem.htm

06/06/2006, 08:17 AM	#1
jbittner Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Humboldt, NE Posts: 1,014	Top off with tap water??? I recently move back to Nebraska. When I arrived at my new place I had totally forgotten about my RODI unit. In a water need moment I used tap water in my auto top off system. I have never seen my softies so happy. I continued to use the tap water for my top off. During the move I almost lost a monti cap (90% bleached w/ no visable polyps) In 2 weeks the bleaching is down to 10%. Every thing in the tank looks great full polyp extention amazing growth, but am I heading for failure.

06/06/2006, 11:10 AM	#6
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	I agree that the biggest problem with tap water use is uncertainty. In some cases it is OK (at least if treated for chlorine or chloramine as the case may be) and in others it is totally unacceptable and will kill a reef. It is hard to judge since your water may be completely different in suitability from your next door neighbor since some of the big problems (like copper) can come from your own pipes. This article has more: Tap Water in Reef Aquaria http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2004/chem.htm __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

06/06/2006, 08:30 AM	#2
JmLee Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hohensfels, Germany Posts: 1,545	I think the only problem it will present is excess algae. My brother has beeing doing water changes with tap water in hes 250gallon tank for years, he has a few large angels and small fish along with alot of soft corals. They are all doing good, the only problem i see that he runs into is excessive algae. I my self always stick with RO water. Any how best of luck.

06/06/2006, 08:36 AM	#3
nodbugger Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Chicago ,Illinois Posts: 533	Sometimes things like the extra stuff floating around there, squeaky clean isn't what nature is all about. I would test it to make sure there wasn't excessive amounts of anything harmful in there, but as long as that is good, the ph is good, and you keep doing good water changes I don't see a problem.

06/06/2006, 08:49 AM	#4
jbittner Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Humboldt, NE Posts: 1,014	No algae problems. Some slimey algae on my pumps but it brushes right off. I had never used tap water before but I had to and so far I see positive results. My tank is 8 yrs old. It is a 55gal w/ flow though refugium and cheato.

06/06/2006, 09:09 AM	#5
MCary Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hardin, Montana Posts: 3,142	Tap water is not poison. It may be perfectly fine. The biggest problem with tap water is its uncertainty. With RO/DI you know exactly whats in it. If your tap water is real hard then constant top-off will concentrate the minerals similiar to what happens to salt when topping off with salt water. The minerals don't evaporate with the water. If the main mineral is calcium, maybe that wouldn't be so bad.