New Member here with a question...

[lfsmarineguy]

I use tap water and have for the last 3 yrs. Never had any problems and I am almost entirely SPS. It depends on where you are and where the water is coming from. NYC water is roughly 12tds (on avg) significantly lower than anywhere else on, well probably the planet (for municipal water). Ideally, you should always run an ro/di unit for any saltwater tank. This does not guarantee success as some would make it sound because I can tell you for everyone that has a crappy cyano/bubble/ aiptasia filled tapwater tank there is someone with the same problems running RO. Take care of the tank and you can avoid a lot of these problems. You can call the water company that supplies you (or go online I think) and get a read out of what's in ur tap if you are interested. Again, it depends on where u are as far as tap water goes, RO is ideal, but if you are doing shrimp and mushrooms (barring any copper levels) you will be fine if the water is less than pristine.

 

[32Bit_Fish]

I use tap water and have for the last 3 yrs. Never had any problems and I am almost entirely SPS. It depends on where you are and where the water is coming from. NYC water is roughly 12tds (on avg) significantly lower than anywhere else on, well probably the planet (for municipal water). Ideally, you should always run an ro/di unit for any saltwater tank. This does not guarantee success as some would make it sound because I can tell you for everyone that has a crappy cyano/bubble/ aiptasia filled tapwater tank there is someone with the same problems running RO. Take care of the tank and you can avoid a lot of these problems. You can call the water company that supplies you (or go online I think) and get a read out of what's in ur tap if you are interested. Again, it depends on where u are as far as tap water goes, RO is ideal, but if you are doing shrimp and mushrooms (barring any copper levels) you will be fine if the water is less than pristine.

I live in New York City. The water here suppose very clean, but not sure if it is good enough for a salt water tank.

Almost everyone have been told me that tap water could cause algae boom, a lot of unwanted bacteria or organism will started to surface within a couple of months.

so I dont know which method should I use?...

 

[TimberTDI]

Do you live in Manhattan or in Queens?

I think you should first find out what's coming out of the tap, TDS wise. Maybe one of the local members can lend you a TDS meter so you can see what's coming out of the tap.

Steven

 

[32Bit_Fish]

Do you live in Manhattan or in Queens?

I think you should first find out what's coming out of the tap, TDS wise. Maybe one of the local members can lend you a TDS meter so you can see what's coming out of the tap.

Steven

I live in Queens. What is TDS meter? Maybe I can just go buy one?

 

[Deanos]

What is TDS meter? Maybe I can just go buy one?

TDS Meters

 

[Tonyscoots84]

it seems on average nyc water comes out at about 25 - 37... mine being 37 (same as poland springs water)

as ronen says it matters to a certain point what your tds says but what else is in the water is what worries me :arg:.... get urself the rodi from ebay (aquasafe systems) and lets get u started to having a succesful reef :biggrin:

 

[masterswimmer]

Using RO/DI water for your tank is the responsible thing to do from the start. There are many ways to do things in this hobby, compromising the very essence of your reef (WATER!!) is not a good way to start.

lfsmarineguy is an experienced hobbyist. Just because he is running his system with tap water doesn't mean you'll be as successful as he is. As a matter of fact he mentioned he uses tap water, but it would be helpful to know if he also runs a phosban reactor, phosphate sponge, fuge, carbon, etc to polish his tap water while in the tank.

As you can see, the common concensus is to use RO/DI. Aqua-safe (like Tony suggested) is a very inexpensive way to go. Don't get into a bidding war on ebay, he lists 100's of them simultaneously and you can get one for his opening price.

BTW, welcome to MR.

swimmer

 

[32Bit_Fish]

Thanks for the links and advices. I'm sure using a R.O water is very important to have a healthy reef tank.

BTW, I've never used a R.O unit before and I'm not sure if it is very easy to use. Does the unit comes with all the hardware I need?

How do you guys hook it up with the faucet? I dont think I will be able to install it onto my faucet permenantly because I dont have a faucet that can be used to dedicated to fish tank use only.

So I'm not sure how should I do this... Some people suggested to install a splitter on the water pipe. But it sounds complicated.

any suggestions? Thanks

 

[Deanos]

I have a diverter adapter on my faucet. It allows me to permanently attach my RO/DI unit and still have access to tap water :dead1:

 

[scarf_ace1981]

one of my lfs uses tap water for their two little "reef" tanks. they still have skilters on their SW tanks.

use RO/DI. of course the initial cost of the unit is $100+ but it's worth every penny. i got my unit and replacement filters from aquasafe on ebay. best prices i've ever seen

 

[32Bit_Fish]

I have a diverter adapter on my faucet. It allows me to permanently attach my RO/DI unit and still have access to tap water :dead1:

Does the R.O unit comes with all the hardware that I can just plug right into my faucet and start using it? Or it requires me buy extra connectors?

I am thinking I might be able to connect the R.O unit whenever I want some R.O water. Then I can unplug the unit whenever I'm done. I'm going to set up a mini tank, so I won't need that much water anyway. I'm just going to store the R.O water in one of those plastic bucket.

What do you guys think?

 

[Deanos]

I had to specify to the vendor that I wanted a faucet adapter. It didn't matter that he sent it, because the threads didnt fit my faucet :banghead: I obtained one from the hardware store, since Home Depot didn't have one.

 

[32Bit_Fish]

I had to specify to the vendor that I wanted a faucet adapter. It didn't matter that he sent it, because the threads didnt fit my faucet :banghead: I obtained one from the hardware store, since Home Depot didn't have one.

Would you be able to install the unit to your faucet without adding the adapter?

 

[Deanos]

Would you be able to install the unit to your faucet without adding the adapter?

Not I.

 

[Tonyscoots84]

if it will not attach to your faucet i believe u will need a 2 sided threaded adapter that screws into ur faucet and allows you to screw the adaptor into that connecting ur faucet to your adapter.... .

 

[Craig]

One other faucet option. I've found that the divertor caused some head loss. In order to eliminate that, I got a quick disconnect hose connector, a brass adapter, and a john guest fitting. There is a small piece that screws directly into the faucet. I placed an aerator screen into it. This piece is permanently in the faucet. Whenever I want to make ro water I attach the hose quick disconnect to the adapter. This also allows me to hide all evidence of the RO when not in use.

 

[32Bit_Fish]

I have a long geese neck like faucet in the kitchen. Do they make any adapter for that?

 

[masterswimmer]

Gooseneck faucets still have the small flow restrictor (screw in thingy with screen in it) that can be replaced with the above adapters.

 

[cali_reef]

lfsmarineguy is an experienced hobbyist.

Are you certain of that?? Why is the reef tank at where he works looks crappy? My tank looks bad sometimes, but that tank looks like crappy all the time I have been there:lol2:. Must be the tap water he uses , since they should be able to have nice live stock to display and sell at 4-10X premium over other stores.

 

[32Bit_Fish]

Where can I get all these adapters? Home depot?