water change with tap water

Discussion in 'ASAP' started by cdc, Oct 1, 2011.

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  1. cdc

    cdc Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    I just checked my nitrates and the test is reading about 100. I was going to change about 40g of water (my tank is 90g). However I don't have any RO water left and cant get any until Monday.

    What kind of problems do you think I will have if I use tap water ths one time?
     
    cdc, Oct 1, 2011
    cdc, Oct 1, 2011
    #1

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  2. Ryland

    Ryland Stylophora

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    Do you have any livestock in the tank? Are you finishing a cycle?
     
    Ryland, Oct 1, 2011
    Ryland, Oct 1, 2011
    #2
  3. cdc

    cdc Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    Yes the tank does have fish and inverts, but is fully cycled. I was doing 15g water changes every 2 weeks but I ran out of water test kit.
     
    cdc, Oct 1, 2011
    cdc, Oct 1, 2011
    #3
  4. Josh116

    Josh116 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    my tapwater has high phosphates

    our giant eagle grocery store has a RO dispenser outside the building.
     
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2011
    Josh116, Oct 1, 2011
    Josh116, Oct 1, 2011
    #4
  5. Ryland

    Ryland Stylophora

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    You should try to invest in a RODI unit. It will pay for itself in the long run. If your levels are really that high I would go ahead and change the water with tap. Tap will have phosphates etc but I would hope not that high.
     
    Ryland, Oct 1, 2011
    Ryland, Oct 1, 2011
    #5
  6. schackmel

    schackmel Giant Squid

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    IMO wait until tomorrow and get RO water. Your nitrates did not jump up overnight so your fish and inverts are ok with that level so no need to rush and drop it down today! Tap water will have so much other stuff in there you will regret it and have a harder time getting rid of the phospates, heavy metals etc.
    You could also check the nitrates on your tap water and see what the tap water is at. Most kits will test nitrates both freshwater and saltwater

    However I would personally wait until you can get ro
     
    schackmel, Oct 2, 2011
    schackmel, Oct 2, 2011
    #6

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  7. tom.n.day

    tom.n.day Eyelash Blennie

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    I agree, wait until tomorrow. When did you last test your nitrates? I would maybe buy some water from walmart. Maybe do 15 gallons today and the rest tomorrow
     
    tom.n.day, Oct 2, 2011
    tom.n.day, Oct 2, 2011
    #7
  8. Newreef15

    Newreef15 Horrid Stonefish

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    Wait till tomorow its only one more day its not worth it to use tap water in my opinion
     
    Newreef15, Oct 2, 2011
    Newreef15, Oct 2, 2011
    #8
  9. cdc

    cdc Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    I changed 22g using RO/DI water today and my test kit shows my nitrates are exactly the same as they were before I changed the water. I am using a new API master test kit and my LFS says they are not good for testing nitrates and alot of his customers have complained of the same problem with the nitrate test.
     
    cdc, Oct 2, 2011
    cdc, Oct 2, 2011
    #9
  10. coylee_17

    coylee_17 Fire Goby

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    Could be a bad test kit. if you changed about 25% of the water then you should have had about a 25% drop in your nitrates.
     
    coylee_17, Oct 2, 2011
    coylee_17, Oct 2, 2011
    #10
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