Can I do this?

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I’m just wondering if I can use tap water to set up a bigger reef tank and was just wondering if I use seachem prime to detoxify (the heavy metals, chloramine, etc) if when I put everything from my old tank in it if it will kill my snails and anemones. I used distilled water for my smaller tank but I don’t feel I can afford enough distilled water for this newer size tank.

There's no data to support the idea that Prime detoxifies metals. Copper in tap water is my biggest concern.

Prime will certainly dechlorinate, but data does indicate it will not detoxify the ammonia from chloramine.

A Reef Buddy RO/Di is not very expensive and will eliminate these concerns.

 

[stephenxbog]

agreed, but correctly used is what im trying to find out.
matters how dirty the water is (why i asked about tds). it will be an issue if there is a high concentration of heavy metals and chloramine

Fair.
The poster is in mountain view CA and the water there meets federal standards and is safe to consume.

So I’m not expecting any surprises on a one time use.

TDS can only express dissolved solids and many have no idea what’s in there cities tap water, just that is drinkable.

Actually I’m in Arkansas, I don’t know how to change it lol

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Actually I’m in Arkansas, I don’t know how to change it lol

On a browser, click on the button near the top right that says account.

Then scroll down to location, change it, and hit save.

Not sure on the app, if you use it, but it is likely about the same.

 

[Uncle99]

Actually I’m in Arkansas, I don’t know how to change it lol

Not sure of the water report for your city. I would recommend having a look at your cities water report. This will give you an indication of the treatments used to make it safe and comply with state and federal regulations in your area.

Should just be a quick search, most have reports available on line.

As an example….our water source is from Lake Ontario, is disinfected with chlorine and UV and has Fluoride added.

Has worked for 50 years with simple 4 stage on my stuff

Just to be safe safe.

 

[Mebbid]

You CAN use tap water and prime, assuming your tap water is of very high quality. I used to do it, and had no problems for the 6ish months I was doing that but my tap was some of the most pristine I've seen with the aquifer being largely limestone filtered in the middle of Michigan. However, the chances of that working long term is miniscule and I would bet money you won't find anyone running a successful reef tank off of tap water for more than a few years.

Your question about Tap -> Tank -> Prime -> Salt will work if the tank is empty. If there's anything alive in the tank that process will just kill it. So you will need to mix your salt water in advance for water changes.

People are struggling with answering your questions appropriately, because the information we have been given is vague. When asking questions about your tank try to add in some information about how it's set up or your plans for it.

 

[dvgyfresh]

Additionally even if the tap water is good, the pipes used to deliver it could be rusted and contain toxic metals to a reef tank . Water is the easiest thing to control at startup highly recommend using rodi

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Again, this is clearly a fail if your water has substantial copper in it, as some do, and your city report CANNOT answer that question because it comes from your own copper pipes.

 

[stephenxbog]

Again, this is clearly a fail if your water has substantial copper in it, as some do, and your city report CANNOT answer that question because it comes from your own copper pipes.

I have pex piping and pvc. My tank is going to be a FOWLR lionfish tank. Can I still use tap water?

 

[Mebbid]

I have pex piping and pvc. My tank is going to be a FOWLR lionfish tank. Can I still use tap water?

You can try, you will be taking the risk of algae issues and invert death. But for $143 at bulk reef supply you can buy a RO/DI unit and prevent those potential issues.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have seachem prime, gonna use it to mix up saltwater using tap water for a 40 gallon breeder. Will the water be safe for snails, shrimp and rose bubble tip anemone?

Prime is a water conditioner and does not remove ammonia as the bottle implies

 

[stephenxbog]

You CAN use tap water and prime, assuming your tap water is of very high quality. I used to do it, and had no problems for the 6ish months I was doing that but my tap was some of the most pristine I've seen with the aquifer being largely limestone filtered in the middle of Michigan. However, the chances of that working long term is miniscule and I would bet money you won't find anyone running a successful reef tank off of tap water for more than a few years.

Your question about Tap -> Tank -> Prime -> Salt will work if the tank is empty. If there's anything alive in the tank that process will just kill it. So you will need to mix your salt water in advance for water changes.

People are struggling with answering your questions appropriately, because the information we have been given is vague. When asking questions about your tank try to add in some information about how it's set up or your plans for it.

Just have a single dwarf zebra lionfishfish in a 40 medicated rodi tank. Medicated with copper to halfa$$ quarantine seeing as he cost me a pretty penny. I plan for it to be strictly fish only with scaled predators. I had African cichlids using only tap water and basic chlorine remover, so I was just wondering with that information if I can change the water with tap water treated with seachem prime if he will be fine until I get an rodi unit in a couple of months.

 

[stephenxbog]

Here’s what I’m planning instead of a reef tank: I have a 40 gallon breeder tank, 3 inch sand bed, roughly 30 pounds of rock work and basic hang on back filter for ease of filter maintenance. Livestock will be a dwarf zebra lionfish, a reef stonefish and a wasp fish. Right now I only have the lionfish, and have medicated the tank with copper due to the LFS having an outbreak of something I couldn’t identify in a couple of their tanks and wanting to be on the safe side. Can I use treated tap water and ocean salt for this setup instead of using rodi? I’m asking to keep from having to use my rodi system to just have easier access to water for this particular tank.

 

[Mebbid]

Here’s what I’m planning instead of a reef tank: I have a 40 gallon breeder tank, 3 inch sand bed, roughly 30 pounds of rock work and basic hang on back filter for ease of filter maintenance. Livestock will be a dwarf zebra lionfish, a reef stonefish and a wasp fish. Right now I only have the lionfish, and have medicated the tank with copper due to the LFS having an outbreak of something I couldn’t identify in a couple of their tanks and wanting to be on the safe side. Can I use treated tap water and ocean salt for this setup instead of using rodi? I’m asking to keep from having to use my rodi system to just have easier access to water for this particular tank.

You're wanting a definite yes or a definite no when realistically the only answer we can give you at best is "Probably" Theres a risk involved in any decision and without some very specific information about what's in the water then probably is the best answer we can give you.

My question tho is what is Ocean Salt?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I have pex piping and pvc. My tank is going to be a FOWLR lionfish tank. Can I still use tap water?

It's less risk, assuming the PEX connectors are not brass and the line from the street is not copper (probably is).

An RO Buddie RO/DI system is not expensive at all. It's very good insurance.

Do you need it? Maybe, maybe not.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Here’s what I’m planning instead of a reef tank: I have a 40 gallon breeder tank, 3 inch sand bed, roughly 30 pounds of rock work and basic hang on back filter for ease of filter maintenance. Livestock will be a dwarf zebra lionfish, a reef stonefish and a wasp fish. Right now I only have the lionfish, and have medicated the tank with copper due to the LFS having an outbreak of something I couldn’t identify in a couple of their tanks and wanting to be on the safe side. Can I use treated tap water and ocean salt for this setup instead of using rodi? I’m asking to keep from having to use my rodi system to just have easier access to water for this particular tank.

If this is what you intend to keep in the tank, and no corals (the copper in the tank just ruled that out for now), then tap water is likely OK.

 

[stephenxbog]

Thank you everyone!! I’m gonna try it, worst thing that happens is the fish dies and I’m out a fish or two.

 

[Uncle99]

Thank you everyone!! I’m gonna try it, worst thing that happens is the fish dies and I’m out a fish or two.

Correct!

 

[stephenxbog]

Are shrimp considered inverts??

 

[stephenxbog]

Are shrimp considered inverts??

What about snails?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Those will both potentially be killed by copper both added by you or potentially in tap water. Fish will not.