Walmart Water- RO or Distilled?

saltman123 · 10/08/2006, 11:37 AM

For all of you guys without an RO filter and use Walmart water, which do you use???

The Green Cap I use said Revese Osmosis and Ozonation. I've been using this for a few weeks and it seems to be good.

I've had a few people suggest using the Distilled Water with the blue cap instead.

The price is just about the same. Is one better than the next? I will eventually graduate to a RO Filter of my own but for now it is buying. So does anyone have a suggestion or experience on which they use???

daveverdo · 10/08/2006, 12:17 PM

I use the RO green cap. Don't know which is better.

saltman123 · 10/08/2006, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by daveverdo
I use the RO green cap. Don't know which is better.

How long have you been using it? I'm only in about 2+ weeks.

daveverdo · 10/08/2006, 04:23 PM

8 weeks, not farther along than you. I used that because that is what this forum recommended. If you can get the search to work you may try searching ofr old posts on Walmart water.

saxerphoner · 10/08/2006, 05:02 PM

I have really good levels right now and I've been using wal-mart distilled water in the gallon jugs but mine has a purple cap. It says that it is processed by uv treatment, micron filtration, steam distillation, and ozonation. What do you guys think about that?

I thought the green cap was spring water or something... I'll have to check it out next time I'm there.

kisscouple · 10/08/2006, 08:40 PM

We been using both the purple and the green cap, been using it almost a year now and no problems I dont think between the two one is better than the other

newreefbishop · 10/08/2006, 09:24 PM

Um not sure about where you guyz are but I have a cheaper suggestion. Local grocery stores usually have those machines where you can buy water and fill your own containers. I have been using it for the last 4 months with great results....click my house and check it for yourself. It is fresh, R/O ozonated, and run through a UV sterilizer in most cases. The alkalinity may be a little of because of the purification method but nothing that a buffer wont take care of....I buffer once a month after water changes. But 1.50 for 5 gallons is great.

saltman123 · 10/08/2006, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by newreefbishop
Um not sure about where you guyz are but I have a cheaper suggestion. Local grocery stores usually have those machines where you can buy water and fill your own containers. I have been using it for the last 4 months with great results....click my house and check it for yourself. It is fresh, R/O ozonated, and run through a UV sterilizer in most cases. The alkalinity may be a little of because of the purification method but nothing that a buffer wont take care of....I buffer once a month after water changes. But 1.50 for 5 gallons is great.

The local and only place near me that seems to do this is about .50 cents a gallon. Not to mention I need to bring my own container and lug it all around. For .67 cents I get it in a nice clean 1 gallon jug I can throw away

If it was that much cheaper I would definitely consider it, but not for the small bit extra.

People say you need to watch out with those setups because they may not change the filters and your water may not be as pure as you expect....

Agu · 10/08/2006, 09:57 PM

Distilled water is superior to RO in 99% of all cases. RO removes up to 99% of pollutants (with a perfect system) distilled removes 100% of pollutants by defination. That's why it's called distilled water.

saltman123 · 10/08/2006, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Agu
Distilled water is superior to RO in 99% of all cases. RO removes up to 99% of pollutants (with a perfect system) distilled removes 100% of pollutants by defination. That's why it's called distilled water.

Didn't know that. Looks like I will be switching, or also buying distilled

MimicTang · 10/08/2006, 10:54 PM

Wal-Mart water has high phosphates

rollnheavy · 10/09/2006, 02:07 AM

the water i got from water that is spring water showed phosphates but the distilled didnt test any?

i havent tried the filter thing up front because of the filter changes.

namdrib2 · 10/09/2006, 04:27 AM

I pais $130 for my six stage RO/DI filter. I cahneg the filters and DI resin twice a year at $65 each time. I make up about 2 gallons per day and change 10 gallons per week. In a year that is 1250 gallons at a first year cost (including the unit cost) that is an average of $0.21/gallon. Second year cost of $0.105/gallon. Now people with smaller tanks (I have a 120) may take longer for the payback but still cheaper than paying $0.50/gallon. Plus it makes great drinking water for the family as well.

serpentman · 10/09/2006, 05:38 AM

I agree with namdrib2, it is usually more cost efficient long term to have your own RO/DI unit. Either way, I would suggest investing in a TDS meter to make sure you are getting what you think you are getting. They are cheap and can typically be found on ebay.

mmd · 10/09/2006, 06:13 AM

Distilled water is superior to RO in 99% of all cases. RO removes up to 99% of pollutants (with a perfect system) distilled removes 100% of pollutants by defination. That's why it's called distilled water.

---
did not know that, i guess its purple caps for me...thanks

serpentman · 10/09/2006, 06:16 AM

I disagree. Some claim that there can be trace copper left as a result of the distillation process.

10/08/2006, 11:37 AM	#1
saltman123 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: CT Posts: 1,048	Walmart Water- RO or Distilled? For all of you guys without an RO filter and use Walmart water, which do you use??? The Green Cap I use said Revese Osmosis and Ozonation. I've been using this for a few weeks and it seems to be good. I've had a few people suggest using the Distilled Water with the blue cap instead. The price is just about the same. Is one better than the next? I will eventually graduate to a RO Filter of my own but for now it is buying. So does anyone have a suggestion or experience on which they use??? __________________ 12 Gallon Aquapod. 4 Gallon Pico-Coming Soon Current Tank Info: 12 Gallon Aquapod

10/08/2006, 12:17 PM	#2
daveverdo Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Horseheads, NY Posts: 1,881	I use the RO green cap. Don't know which is better. __________________ 90g Display with fish, LR and a few soft corals, 65g basement sump, eBay LEDs

10/08/2006, 04:23 PM	#4
daveverdo Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Horseheads, NY Posts: 1,881	8 weeks, not farther along than you. I used that because that is what this forum recommended. If you can get the search to work you may try searching ofr old posts on Walmart water. __________________ 90g Display with fish, LR and a few soft corals, 65g basement sump, eBay LEDs

10/08/2006, 05:02 PM	#5
saxerphoner Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: farmville, VA Posts: 129	I have really good levels right now and I've been using wal-mart distilled water in the gallon jugs but mine has a purple cap. It says that it is processed by uv treatment, micron filtration, steam distillation, and ozonation. What do you guys think about that? I thought the green cap was spring water or something... I'll have to check it out next time I'm there. __________________ blue & striped damsels, atlantic anem., sun polyp, button polyps, neon green star polyps, blue shroom,hammer coral branch, 3 sm. stars, cleaning crew Current Tank Info: 20 gallon high w/ SS65, hob filter, mj 1200 w/ wavemaker, t5 10000k, t5 actinic 03, t6 actinic 03, LR, Live Crushed Coral

10/08/2006, 09:24 PM	#7
newreefbishop Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,787	Um not sure about where you guyz are but I have a cheaper suggestion. Local grocery stores usually have those machines where you can buy water and fill your own containers. I have been using it for the last 4 months with great results....click my house and check it for yourself. It is fresh, R/O ozonated, and run through a UV sterilizer in most cases. The alkalinity may be a little of because of the purification method but nothing that a buffer wont take care of....I buffer once a month after water changes. But 1.50 for 5 gallons is great. __________________ Its not just a hobby, it's a lifestyle!!!! The 65 is gone the 110 is in, click the red house for the 110. *Updated Current Tank Info: 110 gal R/R AGA with 40 gallon DIY fuge/sump, 2 AI Sol Blue LED modules, RKL system, Vortech Powerheads, Softies, LPS and SPS. Fox Face, Coral Beauty, Goby, a mated pair of Midnight Black Photon Clowns, BTA, Sebae and small critters everywhere

10/08/2006, 08:40 PM	#6
kisscouple Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Palestine, Illinois Posts: 144	We been using both the purple and the green cap, been using it almost a year now and no problems I dont think between the two one is better than the other

10/08/2006, 09:57 PM	#9
Agu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 30,279	Distilled water is superior to RO in 99% of all cases. RO removes up to 99% of pollutants (with a perfect system) distilled removes 100% of pollutants by defination. That's why it's called distilled water. __________________ Less technology , more biology . Current Tank Info: 30 gallon half cube and 5.5, both reef tanks

10/08/2006, 10:54 PM	#11
MimicTang Moved On Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Hartford CT Posts: 1,517	Wal-Mart water has high phosphates

10/09/2006, 02:07 AM	#12
rollnheavy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: columbia sc Posts: 59	the water i got from water that is spring water showed phosphates but the distilled didnt test any? i havent tried the filter thing up front because of the filter changes.

10/09/2006, 04:27 AM	#13
namdrib2 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Norwood MA Posts: 131	I pais $130 for my six stage RO/DI filter. I cahneg the filters and DI resin twice a year at $65 each time. I make up about 2 gallons per day and change 10 gallons per week. In a year that is 1250 gallons at a first year cost (including the unit cost) that is an average of $0.21/gallon. Second year cost of $0.105/gallon. Now people with smaller tanks (I have a 120) may take longer for the payback but still cheaper than paying $0.50/gallon. Plus it makes great drinking water for the family as well.

10/09/2006, 05:38 AM	#14
serpentman part time superhero Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Deep in the Heart of the Snowbelt (NE OHIO) Posts: 5,698	I agree with namdrib2, it is usually more cost efficient long term to have your own RO/DI unit. Either way, I would suggest investing in a TDS meter to make sure you are getting what you think you are getting. They are cheap and can typically be found on ebay. __________________ BS in Marine Bio ('96), First SW tank in 1992. Current Tank(s) 300g SPS with 90g frag tank and 40 anemone tank - decommissioned 46g LPS/Softy Cube 300g FOWLR under construction - decommissioned

10/09/2006, 06:13 AM	#15
mmd Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,939	Distilled water is superior to RO in 99% of all cases. RO removes up to 99% of pollutants (with a perfect system) distilled removes 100% of pollutants by defination. That's why it's called distilled water. --- did not know that, i guess its purple caps for me...thanks __________________ Michael Current Tank Info: 120 freshwater

10/09/2006, 06:16 AM	#16
serpentman part time superhero Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Deep in the Heart of the Snowbelt (NE OHIO) Posts: 5,698	I disagree. Some claim that there can be trace copper left as a result of the distillation process. __________________ BS in Marine Bio ('96), First SW tank in 1992. Current Tank(s) 300g SPS with 90g frag tank and 40 anemone tank - decommissioned 46g LPS/Softy Cube 300g FOWLR under construction - decommissioned