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tap water
- Thread starter Mikester311
- Start date
There are way too may variables in that question. It really depends on where you live nad what kind of water conditions will be coming out of tap. If you fortunate enought to live someplave with virgin water, then all you really need to do is dechlor. If not...
well, I live in Florida. The tap is not bad here and I've used it with my tanks before without much trouble. I guess now that I'm going to redo the tank and get a fresh start, I just wanted to know if it would help or hurt if I filtered the tap through a Britta or Pur or some other similar drinking water purifier.
I know that Florida ground water contains a high amont of organics. If you are indeed on one of those systems, I wouldn't bother with the filter unless you are getting a good RO system. If you have the space,you could simply run a mix tank with a filter containing carbon before udding salt and using it.
I am redoing my tank for a few different reasons. First, I added some inverts and a few crabs that I caught out in the gulf and put them in my tank before I thought about contaminates. So far in 5 weeks I have had one damsel survive out of about 10. I really want to start fresh water now that I have a heads up and I read a little more on the hobby.
Second, I am going to replace my crushed coral with a sand bed of aragonite. I also want to try the fishless cycle with shrimp vs. damsels. I have heard of better results that way. I'm hoping to do it right this time around.
Second, I am going to replace my crushed coral with a sand bed of aragonite. I also want to try the fishless cycle with shrimp vs. damsels. I have heard of better results that way. I'm hoping to do it right this time around.
RO = Reverse osmosis
DI = Di-ionized
It is highly recommended to filter your tap through 3 or 4 stage RO/DI filter. The resulting water is extremely pure and best for use with most salt mix. Systems using RODI water usually have very low PO4, a plus for people battling nuiance algae. Most online stores carries RODI systems. You can also check your local water purification companies in your area.
DI = Di-ionized
It is highly recommended to filter your tap through 3 or 4 stage RO/DI filter. The resulting water is extremely pure and best for use with most salt mix. Systems using RODI water usually have very low PO4, a plus for people battling nuiance algae. Most online stores carries RODI systems. You can also check your local water purification companies in your area.
Mikester, the crabs were the contaminants :roll:
You know that out of all the crabs in the world theres probably about three or four that you would actually want in your aquarium. These are commonly crabs that dont belong to the Mythrax crab species. Basically distinguished by the claws being larger than the head.
If your tank has been running for five weeks i doubt you would have had the chance to see the possible damage tap water can cause. Beleave me RODI is kinda staple equipment. I dont have one, so i drive to the LFS with my 5 gallon drums and buy it. Its not that i like to waste time and money, but its just not possible to run a reef with tap water. And although people say they do, their tanks are testiment to the effects because they all look like crappy cess pools. Ive never seen a good tank run on tap water, so why spend all that money on a reef tank when you end up with a stinking rockpool. You may as well have gone with freshwater fish because i can assure you the results would be far more asthetically appealing. Even if the rock pool/reef tank was crammed with beutifull fish, i still think the look of a balanced system whatever the format is better than one thats failing miserably. The only possible exceptions to tap water is, as has been mentioned "virgin" water, or well water from a relaiable source, but even then an extensive ammount of filtration and de-ioniseation still has to be done. The RODI doesn't even need to be expensive to be affective in producing a reasonably pleasant reef tank. But to get it looking better is only going to mean more effort on your part. Starting a reef with tap water is like starting a marathon by blowing your leg off, yea its possible, but you'd have to be some kind of twisted sadist to want to attempt it, and a geneius to pull it off, and allthough i loosely fit both categorys id still point and laugh at seeing someone try (except in this instance where help is defenately a more constructive approach). :twisted:
You know that out of all the crabs in the world theres probably about three or four that you would actually want in your aquarium. These are commonly crabs that dont belong to the Mythrax crab species. Basically distinguished by the claws being larger than the head.
If your tank has been running for five weeks i doubt you would have had the chance to see the possible damage tap water can cause. Beleave me RODI is kinda staple equipment. I dont have one, so i drive to the LFS with my 5 gallon drums and buy it. Its not that i like to waste time and money, but its just not possible to run a reef with tap water. And although people say they do, their tanks are testiment to the effects because they all look like crappy cess pools. Ive never seen a good tank run on tap water, so why spend all that money on a reef tank when you end up with a stinking rockpool. You may as well have gone with freshwater fish because i can assure you the results would be far more asthetically appealing. Even if the rock pool/reef tank was crammed with beutifull fish, i still think the look of a balanced system whatever the format is better than one thats failing miserably. The only possible exceptions to tap water is, as has been mentioned "virgin" water, or well water from a relaiable source, but even then an extensive ammount of filtration and de-ioniseation still has to be done. The RODI doesn't even need to be expensive to be affective in producing a reasonably pleasant reef tank. But to get it looking better is only going to mean more effort on your part. Starting a reef with tap water is like starting a marathon by blowing your leg off, yea its possible, but you'd have to be some kind of twisted sadist to want to attempt it, and a geneius to pull it off, and allthough i loosely fit both categorys id still point and laugh at seeing someone try (except in this instance where help is defenately a more constructive approach). :twisted:
I think the tendency for people getting into this hobby is to try and get their feet wet first, not knowing if they'll be successful. This attitude is normal with most hobbies, but this hobby is different in that the initial outlay is very expensive. It's a catch-22. You scrimp on things like water purification and end up with algae blooms, and give up, thinking saltwater is too hard.
You can get away with tap water, but no-one's going to advise it. Florida does not have quality tap water, I would not drink it if you payed me. The water table is way too close to the ground to make it healthy. RO is fine to start off with, you can always add a DI later. Be careful of wild collecting unless you can identify the animal and understand it's care and defenses and possible toxicity.
Back to the tap water. Tap water often causes algae blooms because it contains phosphates. Phosphate runoff from fertilizers is what causes algae blooms in the Gulf and that terrible algae in our canals. That same phosphate contaminates our drinking water. Plants thrive in high phosphate conditions.
You can get away with tap water, but no-one's going to advise it. Florida does not have quality tap water, I would not drink it if you payed me. The water table is way too close to the ground to make it healthy. RO is fine to start off with, you can always add a DI later. Be careful of wild collecting unless you can identify the animal and understand it's care and defenses and possible toxicity.
Back to the tap water. Tap water often causes algae blooms because it contains phosphates. Phosphate runoff from fertilizers is what causes algae blooms in the Gulf and that terrible algae in our canals. That same phosphate contaminates our drinking water. Plants thrive in high phosphate conditions.
Mike,
If you are starting a small tank, consider a TWP (Tap Water Purifier) by Aquarium Pharmacueticals. It runs around $25 plus shipping. Depending on your water quality, you may get 50 to 100 gallons per tube. The water is DI. Replacement tubes run around $18 to $20.
I ran one for years. Most folks would agree, this is the low initial cost/high replacement cost solution.
Finally, I bought a 3-stage RO unit and attached the TWP to it. The life on the TWP is much, much longer when the water passes thru the RO unit first.
HTH
If you are starting a small tank, consider a TWP (Tap Water Purifier) by Aquarium Pharmacueticals. It runs around $25 plus shipping. Depending on your water quality, you may get 50 to 100 gallons per tube. The water is DI. Replacement tubes run around $18 to $20.
I ran one for years. Most folks would agree, this is the low initial cost/high replacement cost solution.
Finally, I bought a 3-stage RO unit and attached the TWP to it. The life on the TWP is much, much longer when the water passes thru the RO unit first.
HTH
Thanks guys! You gave me some great information. Now that I'm the laugh of the forum for trying to use tap water, I guess I'll invest in a Reverse Osmosis system of some kind. You guys are right about algea blooms. I have brown algea poping up all over the place. I wish i would found this forum about 5 weeks ago when I was first setting up my tank. I would have saved a lot of money and headache.
Thanks!
Mike
Thanks!
Mike
You are definitely NOT the laugh of the forum. All of us here know the expenses involved in this hobby and understand the need to try and save a buck here and there. There's reefers here who use tap water (really bad idea, though), just do a search. If you buy the bubbling treasure chest as a clownfish host, then we will laugh at you!
What dangers exist with tap water other than algae growth? I have a well/septic system at my house, and I haven't seen a problem with algae other than the usual diatom blooms for a new tank which have gone away now. What I am trying to achieve is a balanced tank with algae and caleurpa growing at an equal rate to what my snails and crabs are eating.
I kind of like the way hair algae looks as long as it isn't ridiculous. I have a 125 gallon tank, and am hoping that my new critters don't eat everything. 12 scarlet hermit crabs, 12 turbo snails, 1 emerald crab, and 6 stomatella snails that came with my live rock.
I kind of like the way hair algae looks as long as it isn't ridiculous. I have a 125 gallon tank, and am hoping that my new critters don't eat everything. 12 scarlet hermit crabs, 12 turbo snails, 1 emerald crab, and 6 stomatella snails that came with my live rock.
I have a friend with a whole water softener/filter setup. Can I use the water from this? Because the water goes through the salt for the softener, is it bad for the tank?
Also, has anyone used this tap water purifier? http://aquariumwaterfilter.com/RODI/FilterTWP.html
thanks!
Also, has anyone used this tap water purifier? http://aquariumwaterfilter.com/RODI/FilterTWP.html
thanks!
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