Can I start with distilled?

[benthicBarbarian]

Just got my new waterbox 15 peninsula and I was wondering, when the time comes to fill up the tank, can I use RODI water to start and then use distilled for any water changes and top offs?

Asking because I got the Aquatic life RODI buddy off Amazon. With it being so small and needing to fill three 5 gallon buckets, I was worried id run through it too quick, risk contamination, and need to constantly replace the media if I was using only RODI for ALL my saltwater needs.

Or maybe I was thinking the reverse would be better? Filling with distilled and using only RODI for maintenance?

Thanks in advance.

 

[benthicBarbarian]

To clarify, the tank will have various macro algae’s, some leather corals, inverts, and hardy fish. I don’t know if that’s relevant but I feel like I should mention it

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

Starting with distilled should be just fine these days. It's how I started my 29 gallon biocube. :)

 

[JumboShrimp]

Distilled water is probably going the expensive route in the long run, but it certainly will work.

 

[benthicBarbarian]

Starting with distilled should be just fine these days. It's how I started my 29 gallon biocube. :)

See that’s what I was thinking. Initially filling with distilled would be a lot quicker too, no? Thanks! :]

 

[CBonito]

Yeah, I would think it would be ok.
I mean when it's distilled it's boiled off and all contaminants in theory are left behind right?
That's providing it really is distilled.

 

[benthicBarbarian]

Distilled water is probably going the expensive route in the long run, but it certainly will work.

I have a steady supply due to both my parents having sleep apnea LOL I’ll hopefully have a better long term solution if I save up and find space for a proper RODI system. Thanks!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Distilled is probably fine.

 

[Fish Fan]

I've never owned one of the RO Buddy filters, but a lot of people here have them. The only real negative I see mentioned is that they use non-standard cartridges, so the replacement media can be relatively expensive. But I don't think you'll burn through the media all that quickly, unless your source water is particularly funky.

If you're concerned for the longevity of your RODI filter, I'd suggest using distilled water to start the tank, and then use the RO Buddy to make water to maintain your tank.

I know you mentioned your parents have it on hand already, but just consider that in my market, my local Megal-Lo-Mart sells 6 gallons of distilled water for $7.56. You'd probably want three of these for your tank, which is about $22.68, which is right there about 1/3 the cost of a whole new RO Buddy with DI (about $75).

I would say use the RO Buddy for some time, I'm just guessing many months to maybe even six months or more, and in that time make plans to get a more typical RODI system from, for example, BRS, SpectraPure, or Buckeye Hydro. Look around, I often see them used.

Good luck with your tank!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I use an RO buddy. :)

 

[KrisReef]

I’m a big fan of triple

But distilled is fine

 

[benthicBarbarian]

I’m a big fan of triple

But distilled is fine

LOL

 

[benthicBarbarian]

I've never owned one of the RO Buddy filters, but a lot of people here have them. The only real negative I see mentioned is that they use non-standard cartridges, so the replacement media can be relatively expensive. But I don't think you'll burn through the media all that quickly, unless your source water is particularly funky.

If you're concerned for the longevity of your RODI filter, I'd suggest using distilled water to start the tank, and then use the RO Buddy to make water to maintain your tank.

I know you mentioned your parents have it on hand already, but just consider that in my market, my local Megal-Lo-Mart sells 6 gallons of distilled water for $7.56. You'd probably want three of these for your tank, which is about $22.68, which is right there about 1/3 the cost of a whole new RO Buddy with DI (about $75).

I would say use the RO Buddy for some time, I'm just guessing many months to maybe even six months or more, and in that time make plans to get a more typical RODI system from, for example, BRS, SpectraPure, or Buckeye Hydro. Look around, I often see them used.

Good luck with your tank

I've never owned one of the RO Buddy filters, but a lot of people here have them. The only real negative I see mentioned is that they use non-standard cartridges, so the replacement media can be relatively expensive. But I don't think you'll burn through the media all that quickly, unless your source water is particularly funky.

If you're concerned for the longevity of your RODI filter, I'd suggest using distilled water to start the tank, and then use the RO Buddy to make water to maintain your tank.

I know you mentioned your parents have it on hand already, but just consider that in my market, my local Megal-Lo-Mart sells 6 gallons of distilled water for $7.56. You'd probably want three of these for your tank, which is about $22.68, which is right there about 1/3 the cost of a whole new RO Buddy with DI (about $75).

I would say use the RO Buddy for some time, I'm just guessing many months to maybe even six months or more, and in that time make plans to get a more typical RODI system from, for example, BRS, SpectraPure, or Buckeye Hydro. Look around, I often see them used.

Good luck with your tank!

Yep that was originally my plan! Fill up and cycle with distilled water and then all water changes and top offs are done with my buddy :)

I’ll definitely be looking into those 6 gallon distilled jugs! That would make my life a whole lot easier.

Thank you so much!!!

 

[Fish Fan]

Yep that was originally my plan! Fill up and cycle with distilled water and then all water changes and top offs are done with my buddy :)

I’ll definitely be looking into those 6 gallon distilled jugs! That would make my life a whole lot easier.

Thank you so much!!!

In my area I see the Mega-Lo-Mart brand 'Great Value' distilled water for $7.56, but I can't find a link tonight. Here's 'Parent's Choice' for the same price:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Parent-s...m6qpE6Ox3x2nTTQOU_JcZuPf5nmRTUPhoC67AQAvD_BwE

 

[benthicBarbarian]

In my area I see the Mega-Lo-Mart brand 'Great Value' distilled water for $7.56, but I can't find a link tonight. Here's 'Parent's Choice' for the same price:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Parent-s...m6qpE6Ox3x2nTTQOU_JcZuPf5nmRTUPhoC67AQAvD_BwE

Ooooo there’s also a 12 pack available! Thank you so much!

One problem tho, the ingredients say they contain magnesium sulfate, potassium bicarbonate, and potassium chloride. Will that effect the TDS reading?

 

[benthicBarbarian]

In my area I see the Mega-Lo-Mart brand 'Great Value' distilled water for $7.56, but I can't find a link tonight. Here's 'Parent's Choice' for the same price:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Parent-s...m6qpE6Ox3x2nTTQOU_JcZuPf5nmRTUPhoC67AQAvD_BwE

I’d also like to add that the extra ingredients are only listed on the 12 pack. Don’t know why

 

[Fish Fan]

Ooooo there’s also a 12 pack available! Thank you so much!

One problem tho, the ingredients say they contain magnesium sulfate, potassium bicarbonate, and potassium chloride. Will that effect the TDS reading?

That may indeed be an issue, I don't know, so please take care here!

The regular Great Value product I assume to be just distilled water, and I've used it before on occasion with no ill-effects that I noticed. The baby stuff I would think is the same, though I've never used it myself. I am thinking that the machinery of the Mega-Lo-Mart doesn't always work as efficiently as we consumers may sometimes trust, and I'll bet that they have reused the same description from some of their drinking waters that are indeed remineralized for taste:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Great-Va...SJFFMzMkKlHB6dtNRfu52IB_axKhdzThoC7qcQAvD_BwE
I'm sure that Dr. Randy will see this and be able to offer some real help, that would be the guy to ask here

 

[UncommonSense]

I’d also like to add that the extra ingredients are only listed on the 12 pack. Don’t know why

These would be additives for flavor (drinking water purposes), you don’t want them for your application!

 

[Fish Fan]

These would be additives for flavor (drinking water purposes), you don’t want them for your application!

Right, but I wouldn't think they would add these mineralze to their distilled

 

[winxp_man]

Yes distilled is fine 100%. But you will incur a cost that shouldn’t have to be paid. My LFS’s sell RODI for $2.5 for 5 Gal jug. Distilled is around $1 minimum for me here in Cali. Double the cost no thanks.