Need some advice on tap water

[RossB]

Hello R2R members,
Many years ago I had a 120 FOWLR tank. When we moved, I sold everything off. I have been retired now for a few years and I am looking at getting back into the hobby. I have a space in the room that would work for a 3 foot long and 2 foot wide tank. Been looking at the IM INT models.
My question is how can i test my tap water to see if it will be okay? I don't have the ability to setup an RO/DI system in the home we live in right now. The marine water test kits seem to be for testing the salt water in tank and not the actual water you start with. We have city water that goes through a water softener and then a charcoal filter. We live near the beach on the east coast of Delaware and every summer they adjust chemical levels in the city water due to increased usage from the tourist season.
Thanks, Ross

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Welcome to your new home for saltwater reef aquarium resources and fun! Welcome to the family! :D

 

[Fish Fan]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

I would repost your question in the Chemistry sub-forum here:
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/reef-chemistry-by-randy-holmes-farley.295/
Good luck!

 

[Utubereefer]

You can get a free water test from Home Depot or just grab a TDS meter and see what you are getting from your tap.
Welcome to the club

 

[Gumbies R Us]

TDS meter would be your friend!

 

[fishface NJ]

Welcome

 

[Rob A]

Your local water department will have the latest lab report on file just go on line and look for it

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

 

[PharmrJohn]

Greetings and Welcome to our collective obsession!!

 

[Freenow54]

Hello R2R members,
Many years ago I had a 120 FOWLR tank. When we moved, I sold everything off. I have been retired now for a few years and I am looking at getting back into the hobby. I have a space in the room that would work for a 3 foot long and 2 foot wide tank. Been looking at the IM INT models.
My question is how can i test my tap water to see if it will be okay? I don't have the ability to setup an RO/DI system in the home we live in right now. The marine water test kits seem to be for testing the salt water in tank and not the actual water you start with. We have city water that goes through a water softener and then a charcoal filter. We live near the beach on the east coast of Delaware and every summer they adjust chemical levels in the city water due to increased usage from the tourist season.
Thanks, Ross

Either buy rodi water or just do fresh water most fish stores sell it . Also a smaller Tank if doing Salt

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome, glad you are here!

 

[Kiwi reefer]

Welcome to Reef2Reef, looking forward to seeing your tank!

 

[Ruben's Reef]

Welcome to R2R !!!

 

[asap]

Wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwelcome

 

[Nano_Man]

Welcome to r2r

 

[BryanM]

Hello R2R members,
Many years ago I had a 120 FOWLR tank. When we moved, I sold everything off. I have been retired now for a few years and I am looking at getting back into the hobby. I have a space in the room that would work for a 3 foot long and 2 foot wide tank. Been looking at the IM INT models.
My question is how can i test my tap water to see if it will be okay? I don't have the ability to setup an RO/DI system in the home we live in right now. The marine water test kits seem to be for testing the salt water in tank and not the actual water you start with. We have city water that goes through a water softener and then a charcoal filter. We live near the beach on the east coast of Delaware and every summer they adjust chemical levels in the city water due to increased usage from the tourist season.
Thanks, Ross

I consider RODI to be mandatory equipment for reefing. Even if you get a TDS meter and your tap water seems to test okay enough, theres no telling if that will change.

Water is the life blood of our tanks.

 

[Peace River]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!!

 

[jsmkmavity]

public water systems in many areas arent required to test for calcium, iron, magnesium, and manganese, so you will need have your water tested for those yourself.
Public water systems constantly fluctuate and often go over the limits in some areas and the remedy is to warn people and pay a fine which doesnt help your tank.
Saltwater tanks need stability and rodi filtration helps provide that. There is always someplace to setup a rodi system. It could go under your sink or on the wall above your washing machine or even run from a hose spigot if its not below freezing.
You can buy rodi water at some stores too, or find another reefer in your area that has one and buy some from them and transport to your house in 5 gallon buckets or 30-55 gallon drums.

 

[MC Blowfish]

You could buy distilled water from a grocery store. Or if you have a LFS, they might sell water.

 

[tbrown]

It's currently CCR season so you're water system's Consumer confidence Report should either be out or will be soon with last year's water quality report.