tap water??

Discussion in 'General Reef Topics' started by crustytheclown, Sep 23, 2009.

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  1. crustytheclown

    crustytheclown Eyelash Blennie

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    can you use tap water to start a reef aquarium???
     
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  3. PackLeader

    PackLeader Giant Squid

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  4. crustytheclown

    crustytheclown Eyelash Blennie

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    sorry im not familiar with that term????
     
  5. bioreefdude

    bioreefdude Fu Manchu Lion Fish

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    it depends on the tds total dissolved solids or microscopic crap in the water also copper is some times in tap water and copper is bad for inverts. so i would test it first to see . but to answer the question no it would be better if u started if distilled water from ls .79 cent a gallon for now til u test ur water or invested in a ro/di unit
     
  6. crustytheclown

    crustytheclown Eyelash Blennie

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    so distilled is ok to use???
     
  7. bioreefdude

    bioreefdude Fu Manchu Lion Fish

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    sure
    til u get ur hands on a ro di unit , by the way which salt mix do u plan on using because of the distilled water i would use a saltmix high in calcium and high in magnesium like instant oceans reef crystals or etc
     
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  9. crustytheclown

    crustytheclown Eyelash Blennie

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    red sea salt was what i planed on using, where do i get a ro di unit???
     
  10. bioreefdude

    bioreefdude Fu Manchu Lion Fish

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  11. oceanparadise1

    oceanparadise1 Fire Squid

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    i have a 500+ gallon system with nothing but tap water so yes it can be done, my top off is a hose hung above my fuge.......
     
  12. swagger87

    swagger87 Zoanthid

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    You could if you really need to, but its much safer to go with distilled if you're really in a pinch. Tap water may contain so many materials in it, it may not be good for your tank in the long run. It can cause some really nasty algae blooms that can be next to impossible to fight.
    There was another thread about using the R/O water sold at Walmat, Meijer, ect where you fill your own jug/buckets and its extremely cheap.