Tap water

i put one of those water filters you use for drinking water on my kitchen sink.it took my water from 534ppm tds to 60.you know those one that screw onto the tap for $30 and replacement filters are $8.not what your supposed to use but it helps.

 

Reefsparky mentioned the money spent on direct tank items to fix problems that could have been prevented by going with the ro/di in the first place.

Another thought for those of you who live more than a few miles from a lfs is the fuel it takes to drive back and forth or going to the store to get the bottled stuff again and again.

A ro/di system will not only save you a headache, but money as well. Ro/di, lighting & skimmer are the biggies that you want to invest in right the first time.

 

Amen to that. And a great water movement system, a PhosReactor, and perhaps a refuguim to house macroalgae to compete with nuisance algae in the tank, and you're on the right track! ;D