Can I start with distilled?

[UncommonSense]

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

I wouldn’t think so either; but there are FDA laws about listing ingredients… so unless it’s a typo on the website, they have a specific SKU for remineralized distilled water!

 

[winxp_man]

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

That is not distilled water. That is drinking water. Two different things.

 

[UncommonSense]

That is not distilled water. That is drinking water. Two different things.

I’m referring to the minerals listed in the ingredients list…

 

[winxp_man]

I’m referring to the minerals listed in the ingredients list…

Right, but remineralized water is drinking water in basic terms. When someone says distilled water period, that’s water that has nothing in it.

 

[UncommonSense]

Right, but remineralized water is drinking water in basic terms. When someone says distilled water period, that’s water that has nothing in it.

… did you see what I was replying to?

 

[Fish Fan]

I wouldn’t think so either; but there are FDA laws about listing ingredients… so unless it’s a typo on the website, they have a specific SKU for remineralized distilled water!

Agreed! But it's the Mega-Lo-Mart, there's inaccuracies across that site, and I just don't want to give out inaccurate advice. But I agree that distilled water should be fine to use

Mega-Lo-Mart:

 

[benthicBarbarian]

Agreed! But it's the Mega-Lo-Mart, there's inaccuracies across that site, and I just don't want to give out inaccurate advice. But I agree that distilled water should be fine to use

Mega-Lo-Mart:

I can’t believe it took me that long to realize you were making a Simpsons reference.

 

[Fish Fan]

I can’t believe it took me that long to realize you were making a Simpsons reference.

King of the Hill, but I'll take it

 

[benthicBarbarian]

King of the Hill, but I'll take it

Darn *snaps*

 

[benthicBarbarian]

I wouldn’t think so either; but there are FDA laws about listing ingredients… so unless it’s a typo on the website, they have a specific SKU for remineralized distilled water!

That is not distilled water. That is drinking water. Two different things.

Agreed! But it's the Mega-Lo-Mart, there's inaccuracies across that site, and I just don't want to give out inaccurate advice. But I agree that distilled water should be fine to use

Mega-Lo-Mart:

Okay I decided to read further but I just got more confused. The ingredients say pure distilled water….but then they say “minerals added for taste”??

I guess I’ll just stick to buying the brand my parents have.

 

[UncommonSense]

Okay I decided to read further but I just got more confused. The ingredients say pure distilled water….but then they say “minerals added for taste”??

Interesting! So it is remineralized distilled water for drinking… weird!

Well, good catch there! I’m glad you mentioned it!

 

[Fish Fan]

Friend, buy "distilled water" from your local big box store, or pharmacy store, or grocery store. Any extra minerals are for drinking water. I'd be quite confident that that any mention of remineralization is for their drinking water products, and not for their distilled water product.

 

[UncommonSense]

I'd be quite confident that that any mention of remineralization is for their drinking water products, and not for their distilled water product.

My thoughts exactly! I have never heard of remineralized distilled water for drinking before… I was confident this was an ad typo too! (It still sort of is, just in a different way…)

But, then I read the fine print of that ad… it is indeed remineralized distilled water for drinking! — definitely not what us reefers are looking for! (And worth noting in later recommendations!)

Haha I guess I learned my new thing for the day… wild!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

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?

I would not recommend it.

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

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!

My wife has sleep apnea too so that's how decided to start making my initial batch of saltwater. Actual distilled water, nothing added, is just fine. I have a 7 stage BRS system now with a smart buddy. You can upgrade at a later point when ready. :)

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

My concern with distilled is that in some places, it may be condensed on copper coils. Might be more of a third world issue, but it’s not impossible anywhere.

 

[EricR]

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.

This is exactly what I was thinking -- is there an LFS nearby that sells bulk RODI ?

My LFS sells RODI at 50 cents/gallon also,,, plus they have a punch card where after every 2x 5 gallon purchase, you get next 2x free, so works out to only 25 cents/gallon <-- haven't bought any in a few years but used to be that way.
*5 gallon Sparkletts jugs are good for transporting, if you happen to have empties

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

My concern with distilled is that in some places, it may be condensed on copper coils. Might be more of a third world issue, but it’s not impossible anywhere.

I was concerned about this as well. I contacted the company that supplies distilled water to our local Walmart. They said they do not use copper in the distillation process. I am not sure about all Walmart locations though. The company that supplies the water here in Wisconsin also supplies other stores with different branding on the jugs. When I started my tank I bought water from Menards and Walmart which all came from the same manufacturer. My understanding in general is that copper is no longer used for distillation. To be sure though, one should contact the source and learn how their process works. :)

 

[winxp_man]

This is exactly what I was thinking -- is there an LFS nearby that sells bulk RODI ?

My LFS sells RODI at 50 cents/gallon also,,, plus they have a punch card where after every 2x 5 gallon purchase, you get next 2x free, so works out to only 25 cents/gallon <-- haven't bought any in a few years but used to be that way.
*5 gallon Sparkletts jugs are good for transporting, if you happen to have empties

Mine has half off on Wednesdays. So if I need it I I can load up 13 5 gal jugs. But running QT’s I get the salt for $2.50 for 5gal on Wednesday. The best method for QT’ing. Doing water changes every other day gets up there. So this makes like real easy. For fresh I now run my own RODI system now.

 

[benthicBarbarian]

This is exactly what I was thinking -- is there an LFS nearby that sells bulk RODI ?

My LFS sells RODI at 50 cents/gallon also,,, plus they have a punch card where after every 2x 5 gallon purchase, you get next 2x free, so works out to only 25 cents/gallon <-- haven't bought any in a few years but used to be that way.
*5 gallon Sparkletts jugs are good for transporting, if you happen to have empties

The nearest saltwater LFS I have is 30 minutes away and I…can’t…drive I could take the public buss but I don’t want to lug 3 buckets around like a weirdo! Plus the bus ride would take 3 hours.

I live within walking distance of 2 pharmacies and a grocery store, that’s why I considered distilled. The plan is I’ll only use distilled for the initial filling up of the tank, everything else I’ll just use RODI.