I'm thinking about using tap water for my clownfish stock tanks. I'm on a well, which is part of a large underground river, so I might just try it, after a few water tests...
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Thats great! Do you know the tds of Vancouvers tap water? Do you have copper pipes?
Part of the 'tap water' issue may also be related to the levels of fluorine in the water - in the past the standard used to be higher than the current .7ppm - in the ocean the level is around 1.2 ppm - higher levels can damage coral - and cause them to expel zooxanthellae - especially certain corals. So - in this age where people are doing less water changes - and using tap H2O FOR ATO - This could be a problem. Likewise if you're using salt with added fluorine - using tap water could be a problem...Which echos what a lot of others have said - it all depends on your underlying water quality, how many water changes you do and what livestock is in your tank. For example - if I had fish only tank - I would consider tap water.
Curious - what did you use for top off water - and how often/how much?I have tap water TDS 500-700.
102 gallon marine aquarium.
for more than 7 years, I did not make a water change and did not add any additives other than lamellar fish food.
Curious - what did you use for top off water - and how often/how much?
I have tap water TDS 500-700.
102 gallon marine aquarium.
for more than 7 years, I did not make a water change and did not add any additives other than lamellar fish food.
1,5g every two days I add tap water without filtration with TDS 500-700
So - I calculated this this way -
1. 1.5 gallons = Approx 6 liters
2. You add 6 liters every 2 days (not sure if that means every other day or ever y third say) but lets assume 3
3. 365 days/year / 3 = 122 days you add water/year
4. 122 x 6 = 854 liters of water evaporate and is replaced by tap water.
5. 854 liters x 600 mg./l (TDS) = 512400 mg of solids/year added
6. 512400 x 7 years = 3, 586,800 mg
7. 3, 586,800 mg /400 liters (your aquarium) = 8967 mg/l.
Seawater is 10,000 TDS - so - without raising your Specific gravity a considerable amount over the years - I dont see how this is possible - UNLESS - most of the TDS in your tap water is ca, mg, alkalinity (as it is in some cities) - and the TDS is being used by - organisms (much like adding Kalkwasser as ATO. Of course my calculations might be off
So - I calculated this this way -
1. 1.5 gallons = Approx 6 liters
2. You add 6 liters every 2 days (not sure if that means every other day or ever y third say) but lets assume 3
3. 365 days/year / 3 = 122 days you add water/year
4. 122 x 6 = 854 liters of water evaporate and is replaced by tap water.
5. 854 liters x 600 mg./l (TDS) = 512400 mg of solids/year added
6. 512400 x 7 years = 3, 586,800 mg
7. 3, 586,800 mg /400 liters (your aquarium) = 8967 mg/l.
Seawater is 10,000 TDS - so - without raising your Specific gravity a considerable amount over the years - I dont see how this is possible - UNLESS - most of the TDS in your tap water is ca, mg, alkalinity (as it is in some cities) - and the TDS is being used by - organisms (much like adding Kalkwasser as ATO. Of course my calculations might be off
Here is a coral grown in this aquarium from frags (grown for 5 years).
The whole history of the growth of this coral is recorded on my YouTube channel.
Never use tap in tank do use it to rinse/clean equipment but then final rinse it with RODI water. If I knew exactly how much I've spent on Nutri Sea Water and RODI water from (not local) FS I'd faint, I have to drive an hour each way to get RODI water as the one LFS store sells TAP!!!! EEKKKK are they serious?! Not sure how the heck they have a gorgeous IDK around 200 gallon reef tank but they do. Can't believe they sell/offer "salted tap water" yikes.
The only thing I have to deal with in my water is low GH and KH for my freshwater fish. In the Pacific Northwest, our water is crystal clear. No Chlorine, no chemicals of any kind. Pristine water. I have to add Calcium and Magnesium to the tanks. No lie.Oh yes plenty of farm run off chemicals in the water. Of course they only test for a handful but sadly clean water and the environment has become a political issue which is truly sad.
It can be done if you’re fortunate enough to live in an area with good tap water (Vancouver, Canada). My mixed reef tank (will be 5 yrs in Dec) uses tap with Prime.
What part of the country are you from?Today, it has been exactly 8 years since my marine aquariums have been living on tap water. During this time, I did not make water changes and did not make any additions.
Let me start with a disclaimer that RO/DI water for your saltwater reef aquarium is FAR superior to TAP water and you're taking a big risk using water straight from your faucet!
Now that we got that out of the way let's talk about tap water today. What about it? Well are you using tap water for your tank right now and have you ever used it?
Ok so if we're going to be honest then I'll start. A long time ago before R2R ever existed was a saltwater noob who didn't really know any better and was using water straight from his faucet to make water changes and keep his aquarium topped off! Good thing he lived in an area that the water wasn't all that bad. Cool thing is he had a pretty nice reef tank at one time using tap water. I will name no names but he goes by the name rev something or another.
Let's talk about this today!
1. How many of you, at one time, used TAP water for top off and water change water?
2. How many of you are currently using TAP water?
It all depends on what comprises the 'TDS' is in your tap water. If its a metal - it could be a problem - If its calcium - or magnesium - it makes no difference. because the concentration is still extremely small. Now - I would not use tap water in a system where I wasn't doing water changes.... Then again - I use RODI - anyway...This is a death sentence for everything in your tank, conditioner or not. My RO/DI unit only gets down to 2tds and I'm scared all the time...