Tap water

[SueAbu]

Tazawa tank said that you can use tap water for mixing saltwater if you start out with live rock and live sand to start for first saltwater tank and he’s said that reef tank need RO/DI water

When I lived in town and had public water, I started a 20 gal tank. I had no idea what ro/di was, so I went to Walmart and bought 20 1-gallon bottles of distilled water (NOT spring) and started my tank.

A BUNCH of people have told you it's a bad idea, but go ahead and listen to 1 guy who agrees with you. You'll only do it once...

 

[SueAbu]

You can also use Poland spring water but it isn't the best.

As I live down the road from Poland Spring, I know for a fact that they get their water from the City of Waterville... So you might as well use tap.

 

[tyreefkeeper]

As I live down the road from Poland Spring, I know for a fact that they get their water from the City of Waterville... So you might as well use tap.

Thanks for telling me I always thought the water came from an actual spring .

 

[VintageReefer]

Agreed Today I got 5 gallons of RO/DI water for 6 dollars at my lfs.

I spent 15$ for 5g rodi made sw + came with a 5g jug for me to keep and they said if I bring the jug back they will refill it with 5g sw for 8$

Even that I think is on the high end for a LFS but they are the only game in town and they can get away with it. I wanted the jug so I figured what the heck. It’s a nice jug and my nano needed a water change

 

[Jack1235]

Can you use tap water for water changes

 

[PharmrJohn]

Yeah, that's a hard no. Invest in a good quality RODI unit.

 

[Jack1235]

Do you have to use destrilled water onces

 

[PharmrJohn]

Can you use tap water for water changes

No. Not water changes. Not with anything.

 

[tyreefkeeper]

Tap water isn't supposed to be used AT ALL in a reef tank.

 

[VintageReefer]

 

[Roatan Reef]

Tap Water is No Bueno! I don't care what your setup is...Mixed Reef, FOWLR, Beginner tank, softies only etc...you never use Tap water fam.

If you can't afford a RODI system, most LFS have it for like $1/gallon. I can go to any 3 of my local LFS and get saltwater for $5 to $6 per 5 gallon jugs.

Anyone thinking of setting up a Saltwater Tank of any type, should always consider a Rodi unit in their initial budget.

My aquatic life 4 stage was like $140. That's nothing compared to the rest of the equipment you need.

 

[tyreefkeeper]

Tap Water is No Bueno! I don't care what your setup is...Mixed Reef, FOWLR, Beginner tank, softies only etc...you never use Tap water fam.

If you can't afford a RODI system, most LFS have it for like $1/gallon. I can go to any 3 of my local LFS and get saltwater for $5 to $6 per 5 gallon jugs.

Anyone thinking of setting up a Saltwater Tank of any type, should always consider a Rodi unit in their initial budget.

My aquatic life 4 stage was like $140. That's nothing compared to the rest of the equipment you need.

Very true

 

[PharmrJohn]

I know that this hobby seems to take quite a bit of your hard earned cash, but there are some rules that just flat out need to be followed. Chiefly, for your sake of your livestock. You are taking these lifeforms and giving them the very best ecosystem you can possibly give them. And using tap water is something that can not only have negative short term effects, but some significant long term effects as well. Some of these impurities can take a year or more to show their ugly head in terms of symptoms your livestock would show.

I've been through a couple of your threads and it seems like you've not taken the requisite steps to gain a sufficient knowledge base to move forward at this time. Not to say you cannot learn what you need to learn, you can, it just seems that the effort hasn't been made yet. Asking questions is great, but you really should be doing some independent study.

You've got a membership to a really great forum here. Pretty much everything you need to know, you'll find here.

 

[Outlaw Corals]

I’ve been using tap water going on 32 years now i just treat it with Prime, no issues everything grows very well even my high end sps

 

[SueAbu]

Can you use tap water for water changes

No
No
No
No
No
No

And in case you missed the message EVERYONE has been telling you:

NEVER
Put
Tap
Water
In
Your
Saltwater
Aquarium

 

[SueAbu]

No. Not water changes. Not with anything.

I feel like there's a green eggs and ham thing in the making:
Shall not use tap water here
Shall not use tap water there
Shall not use tap water anywhere!

 

[SueAbu]

Thanks for telling me I always thought the water came from an actual spring .

Sorry. Broke my heart, too. I'm also betting Figi water isn't from Figi. I haven't investigated, and I'd be happy to be wrong. Lol
(But don't use Figi water in your tank, either!!)

 

[moretor1]

Chewy sells a really cheap rodi unit

 

[ShakeyGizzard]

In all reality, an ICP test is needed to see what's in your tap water. Some can be used with minor filtration, some can't be used at all. The OP basically stated they can't afford RO/DI water, but this hobby is very expensive. Don't see their tank going very far.

 

[Jasongtr]

You're concerned about the cost of rodi water? I think you might be in the wrong hobby