Need some advice on tap water

[tbrown]

 

[RossB]

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.

Thanks - I just reviewed my public water report and as you noted, it does not have anything for calcium, iron, magnesium or manganese. I am going to have to do some reorganization in the garage to setup an area to make RO/DI.

Question - should I bypass my whole house water softener and charcoal filter system with the RO/DI unit or is it better to use the conditioned water as the input to the RO/DI unit?

 

[tbrown]

Thanks - I just reviewed my public water report and as you noted, it does not have anything for calcium, iron, magnesium or manganese. I am going to have to do some reorganization in the garage to setup an area to make RO/DI.

Question - should I bypass my whole house water softener and charcoal filter system with the RO/DI unit or is it better to use the conditioned water as the input to the RO/DI unit?

Most of those are unregulated "contaminants" or secondary so they aren't reported since they're very rarely tested for - at least not for compliance.

 

[jsmkmavity]

I would connect rodi before a water softener. The salt from a softener can prematurely plug up some filters and ro membranes. Your first stage could be a carbon block or a 5 micron prefilter then carbon block second stage depending on what system you buy, and city water after that is usually pretty easy to clean up.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

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

Are you planning on another FOWLR? If so, then the tap water may be o.k. If you'll be keeping inverts, especially corals, then perhaps a batch RODI system would work for you? I use one from Amazon: $70. I attach it to my kitchen sink and make up 10 gallons or so at a time and mix it with salt in 5 gallon buckets.

Aquatic Life RO Buddie 4-Stage Aquarium Water Filter System, Reverse Osmosis RO/DI Filtration Unit for Fish Tank, Fountains, and More, 50 GPD

Jay

 

[RossB]

I would connect rodi before a water softener. The salt from a softener can prematurely plug up some filters and ro membranes. Your first stage could be a carbon block or a 5 micron prefilter then carbon block second stage depending on what system you buy, and city water after that is usually pretty easy to clean up.

Thanks. I thought that the water softener might cause some issues and it would be good not to not waste so much softened water.

 

[RossB]

Are you planning on another FOWLR? If so, then the tap water may be o.k. If you'll be keeping inverts, especially corals, then perhaps a batch RODI system would work for you? I use one from Amazon: $70. I attach it to my kitchen sink and make up 10 gallons or so at a time and mix it with salt in 5 gallon buckets.

Aquatic Life RO Buddie 4-Stage Aquarium Water Filter System, Reverse Osmosis RO/DI Filtration Unit for Fish Tank, Fountains, and More, 50 GPD

Jay

Originally I was thinking about FOWLR. I don't have the space to put a 4 foot long tank so my fish choices are more limited. It also looks like there might be a good source of corals near me in Maryland (Pacific East Aquaculture) so I am still researching and deciding. Pretty sure I will be going with a Glass Cages tank with a sump. That's about all I have decided on at this stage.

 

[CoralB]

Welcome !!