RO question

Quick question.

I have a RO unit but need to replace the filters. I was planning on setting up my tank tomorrow but have to order these filters to have quality tap water. Is it possible to use water from the grocery store? Distilled water?

 

I used distilled untill i got my r.o unit but thats just me. Maybe i am wrong i am sure someone alot smarter will help out. Thats why i love 3 reef

 

We use distilled water for our top offs.. Just watch your PH it may get low.. Also, we use to use the RO units from the grocery store but we found we had a large algae out brake.. just be careful if you do use the RO from a store.. but you should be ok with distilled water..

 

Steve

I have had to use store water because I don't have an RO unit yet. What I have found is this. The dispensers at the stores all start with your local water and are periodically inspected and maintained, some post when they were last looked at, so if your water has some inherent problem (like mine does high in nitrates and phosphates) try to get water just after maintenance. The water in the jugs, you need to read the labels, some are RO and the water comes from them (not the local tap), I have found at times I am better off paying $1.19 for the jug vs. .37 for the machine water because it had been too long since the machine filters were changed. I actually tested various samples to decide what was my best bet.

Some say be wary that copper has not been used in the distillation process, so I just called the 800 numbers and asked, the two I called do not use copper.

Unfortunately I don't have any source of RO/DI water so just make do with what I can get.

 

If you already have a ro and are planning on ordering filters, I would probably wait. Not the easiest decision to make but it would be the safer decision. Then you will know exactly what quality of water you are getting. That will ensure that your tank gets started off on the right foot.