phosphate remover

I personally wouldn't use tap water for the reasons mentioned above, and also, what are the pipes in your house made of? copper, plastic, if its old it could be galvanized metal, I know that the water shouldn't pick up much from the pipes but you really never know. We spend a lot on these tanks and a couple hundred more on an RO/DI in my opinion is a good investment.

Jake

 

When I first set up a SW tank many years ago I just used tap water. I had nothing but problems. Hair algae would grow everywhere. It was a disgusting mess. I eventually got fed up and didn't set up the tank again after we moved.

When I did set up a tank again I used RO/DI from the beginning. I have never had a hair algae issue in this tank.

I wouldn't risk it. I'd use RO/DI from the beginning.

 

sounds like you're just getting into this...save yourself the trouble and $$ down the road and use RODI water. You'll be spending lots of $$ on equipment and livestock, water will be one of the cheapest thing you will be adding to your tank....the potential problems of tap water out weigh the few pennies you will save. If you're worried about the waste water, route the waste line from your RODI unit to your washing machine, or a flower garden or something like that. If you're new to this, one thing you will eventually figure out is that it's better to go slow and get the right equipment up front, if not you will just get frustrated and get out of the hobby or you will end up spending the $$ down the road to get the right equipment to fix the problems you're created by starting out wrong.

Some may say they use tap water, ask them to see their reef tanks (very few might get away with it without problems)

Good luck, you're doing the right thing by asking these questions up front.