Making Water

G

Gurgle

Okay, I'm a newbie, and I've had mixed reviews about whether I should make my own water. Currently, I am running the water through a Britta system (does that help at all?) and using Prime which removes chlorine, chloramine, ammonia, and detoxifies nitrite and nitrate. I have no corals, only a pseudochromis and some inverts. I just wanted an opinion on if this water is okay for the current fish, and how to remove phosphates if I get coral. Thanks in advance!!!
 
Hello - I would strongly recommend using water from an RO/DI unit. Running the water through a filter like you have will not do much good at all when it comes to water quality of a reef/fish tank. Many of the local pet stores sell RO/DI water. When it comes to water in an aqaurium, its the single most important aspect of a healthy aquarium. Therefore, it makes or breaks a fish/reef tank. Check out melevsreef.com, Marc is a sponsor here and sells RO/DI units at a very fair price.
 
you can get ozarka water 6/1gal for like $6 at sams.

I have no RO/DI unit, so I've been using that since it is way better than my tap water.

tap water was killin my tank, even after I added some stuff and let it sit a couple of days. i guess something was still in there.
 
Hi Gurgle,

There is virtually unanimous agreement that water from a Reverse Osmosis and De-Ionization system (RODI) is not only the best water for a reef tank, it's probably a requirement for tank success.

I now have my own unit (from Melevs Reef mentioned above) hooked up in my laundry room. I'll never downgrade to anything less.

HOWEVER- I started reefing over 10 yrs ago and went down the path starting with tap water and chlorine remover and progressing to occasionally buying saltwater from local pet stores. And for several years I filled 5gal jugs at the Culligan water dispensers at Walmart and other 'water stores' in shopping centers. All of that was made by RO but didn't have the second process De-Ionization. It seemed to work for me.

A good tool to have is a TDS meter (total dissolved solids), around $25-30. Melev has a good one. It'll give you a great indication of water quality. I doubt that the Brita faucet filters deliver reef quality water.

I asked for other peoples' thoughts about the Walmart stuff in this thread-
viewtopic.php?f=30&t=60310
It may contribute to your perspective between now and the time you get your own RODI unit.

Bill
 
Thanks for all the advice everyone, but I still have one more question. What brand of salt mix do you use to make the saltwater that you put in the tank after cleaning? Any brands I should steer clear of?
 
I surveyed a few club gurus re salt, the unanimous recommendation was Reef Crystals. It's from the same mfr as Instant Ocean but differs significantly and is better for use in reefs.

I also found comments from a well known author who strongly recommended Reef Crystals, and also Bio-Sea by Aqua Craft which is hard to find. Just after getting a new bucket of RC I bought some Bio-Sea from a club member and have been using it due to its low silicate content, which is helping me starve out the remnants of the brown diatom cycle (my tank is 4 months old).

Bill
 
I may have missed the size of your tank. this would decide whether i would purchace water from a LFS, or invest in a RO/DI filter. if your talking nano a LFS might be fine, but if say 75gal and up the cost of water changes, and evaporation would outway the cost of a RO/DI not to mention the inconvience of having to drive to get water. and in the case of an emergancy you would be better prepaired with your own water on tap. I use an RO/DI unit, and two horizontal 55gal water containers one for fresh, and one for salt. i always have water on hand. good luck
 
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