so i knwo this has been discussed and i think NYC has a very low tds (?) level ... but does anyone use tap water for their reefs (even if ur embarrassed) and do u have ill effects ... i'm gonna be honest and say i do on this tank i have now ... i have no algae, tons of coralline growth, but my mushrooms stay small ...
tap water
- Thread starter pheromo
- Start date
- Location
- Howell, NJ
I never seen a beautiful reef that uses tap water :scratch:. RODI is the way to go...
- Location
- Greenpoint Brooklyn, NY
the standard for nyc water is 30-45 i thought. I don;t think anyone uses it for their reef, and if they did they learned the hard way or have RODI quality water some how.
WOW Awi... amazing before and after pics. When I started, way before I knew of such a thing as manhattan reefs... I was guilty of using tap water. I thought it was coraline algae... but it was cyanobacteria growing all over my rocks. I work in water treatment now, and one thing I can tell you is that water in NYC is not as consistent as you think, it depends on the neighborhood, age of the city's main water pipes, bottom line.... consistency is NOT happening. Hell, you might be a glutton for punishment, in which case.. keep up the good work. Me, I'll stick with RODI and save myself a headache.
- Location
- Forest Hills
nyc does have a relatively low tds. around 40-50 where i am. but i still like to get it down to 0.
- Location
- Wallingford, CT
Two words:
Phosphate
Silica
Phosphate
Silica
nice testimonies... I've never had a problem with tap water ... i used to mix it up with RO, but because the tap water never perpertrated an algae bloom, i stuck with it ... i had two successful nanos, but now moving onto a 30 with 20 sump/refuge, still no algae, but the same corals that were in a ten, are in the 30 and i can tell not so happy ... all softies, the calcium is 350, which i know is low ...
- Location
- Baiting Hollow Long Island NY
I ran tap water in my reef for over 20 years with no problems and my tank was beautiful. Then one day my town put zinc orthophosphate in the pipes to control corrosion. It controlled the corrosion and killed all of my corals in hours.
I then set up a RO/DI and ran the tank again for another 15 years. I did not get the best RO, mine only reduces organics by 95%. The town again used the zinc and I again lost all of my corals but not as fast. I lost ten year old bubble corals, many gorgonians all of the encrusting polyps and anything that resembled a coral or clam.
Awibrandy saw my tank yesterday and can see the consequences. Running tap water especially in NY or not using the best RO you can get can get expensive.
I will upgrade my RO and while I am at it upgrade the lights and again grow corals.
You need the best water that you can get.
Paul
I then set up a RO/DI and ran the tank again for another 15 years. I did not get the best RO, mine only reduces organics by 95%. The town again used the zinc and I again lost all of my corals but not as fast. I lost ten year old bubble corals, many gorgonians all of the encrusting polyps and anything that resembled a coral or clam.
Awibrandy saw my tank yesterday and can see the consequences. Running tap water especially in NY or not using the best RO you can get can get expensive.
I will upgrade my RO and while I am at it upgrade the lights and again grow corals.
You need the best water that you can get.
Paul
I made the mistake of thinking "my tank wasn't going to get better water than me". This led to algae problems & ultimately me breaking down my tank & starting another.
Even rocks that were out of my tank for a year, when they went back in caused an enormous algae outbreak. Very discouraging. The amount of crap that your rocks will absorb is amazing, then when you switch it takes forever to get the tank right.
Just go RO/DI from the start & you will be a happy reefer.
Even rocks that were out of my tank for a year, when they went back in caused an enormous algae outbreak. Very discouraging. The amount of crap that your rocks will absorb is amazing, then when you switch it takes forever to get the tank right.
Just go RO/DI from the start & you will be a happy reefer.
- Location
- queens
i use tap water, no algea grow on the rocks but lots of them on the glass
Sponsor Reefs
We're a FREE website, and we exist because of hobbyists like YOU who help us run this community.
Click here to sponsor $10:
