The Culligan Experience

I'm curious as to if anyone has used the Culligan machines at Wal-Mart or the local grocery stores for the water for their tanks? It says on the sticker that it's RO/DI water and UV sterilized. Has anyone here used it and how did it work out?

 

yep I have and it worked just fine.

 

I'm so glad you asked Star Wolf! I was just about to ask the same thing!

 

yep it's ro/di water. Before we started selling water at the store where I work we sent people to the glacier machine just across the street from our store.

 

I used the water from Publix (Glacier) for a while. It is RO water but not DI. DI water tastes nasty and isn't really meant for drinking so you will still have some TDS in the water. But it's perfectly safe for your tank and much better than tap.

 

I have not seen any around Phoenix that are RO/DI, only RO with UV.
I am hesitant to buy from a vending machine since they are not regulated by any health agencies, usually only the Dept of Weights and Measures to ensure you get a full gallon for your quarter or whatever. The maintenance can be hit and miss and without a TDS meter you are taking a risk. Drinking water quality and reef quality are two different things.

I have had great success with the staffed Water & Ice type stores where you go inside and fill your bottles. Every one I have been in was excited to show off their equipment and discuss their maintenace procedures once I told them it was to be used for saltwater aquariums. Yes they are RO only but even here in Phoenix with a tap TDS that often exceeds 800 they get it below 12-15 TDS with RO only. They are always happy to pull their TDS meter or conductivity meter out and test the water in my presence and it does not cost any more than the machines, often less since they have discount coupons all the time and days of the week when it is discounted.

Don't get me wrong, nothing replaces having your own personal RO/DI but in a pinch I would buy from a water store and have done so.

 

I dont understand why people will go to all these measures. You can get an RO/DI for around 120.00 to 130.00 at many retailers. In this hobby that is years ongoing, that is a small investment, and saves so much hassle. This is JMO so don't get upset and flame me for it. Just a way of looking at it.

 

I totaly agree with you, but remember that some people are on a tight budget and cannot make that commitment.


Luna

 

Once again I will probably get flamed;D But this is IMO a basic piece of equipment, as basic as the tank itself. Should be part of the initial set-up

 

I found an easy way to justify a RO/DI purchase is to use it for RO drinking water too. We save hundreds of $$ a year by refilling our drinking water bottles and reusing them over and over. Not only does it save money but landfill space too. Also the RO makes nice clear ice cubes in the refrigerator icemaker and tastes great coming out of the water dispenser. The wife never questioned it and she now uses much more than I do. She fills a drinking bottle 1/2 or 3/4 full with RO and freezes it, takes it out and tops it off, sticks it in a coozy insulator and has cold water for hours! Best purchase we ever made bar none.