Well water mixed Reef

[SaltySpikes]

inhabitants: 2 Ocellaris Clowns, Watchman Goby, 2 or 3 peppermint shrimp, Astrea snails, GSP coral, Mushroom coral, bubble tip anemone, Tiger Conch
The tank is a 36g with a canister about a year old. Want to switch over to RODI, but I think it’s doing okay for now. Haven’t tested the water in a min. Last time the store checked it was calcium low and Alk high. Probably from the well water. Open to any and all constructive criticism.

 

[xWascallyWabbit]

I have a reef tank off of well water. Very high I iron. Water is very "rusty" stains the shower, dishwasher etc.

Zero issues with reef tank.
The main reason for this is I have my own RODI system under the sink.
I get 0 TDS. If I see it start yo drift up ill change the resin or some other cartridge as routine maintenance.

Doesn't matter where you get your water if you strip it down to 0.

0tds well and 0 ads tap is still 0tds.

 

[ShakeyGizzard]

inhabitants: 2 Ocellaris Clowns, Watchman Goby, 2 or 3 peppermint shrimp, Astrea snails, GSP coral, Mushroom coral, bubble tip anemone, Tiger Conch
The tank is a 36g with a canister about a year old. Want to switch over to RODI, but I think it’s doing okay for now. Haven’t tested the water in a min. Last time the store checked it was calcium low and Alk high. Probably from the well water. Open to any and all constructive criticism.

I would still filter in some way, at least a sediment filter and hook up a TDS meter to see level of solids in it. They build up over time since the solids don't evaporate. Over time the levels can get toxic

 

[threebuoys]

Really impossible to give you meaningful feedback. Almost everyone these days use RO/DI or distilled water to mix their salt, or they buy water from their local fish store.

Well water is much different from these sources and can vary significantly from one well location to another. Obviously, the well water isn't toxic since you use it in your home. Really no way of knowing how that compares over time to what you would experience with standards sources.

 

[TLO45]

For long term success I’d recommend doing your own rodi water .
If you start to get into more coral and higher demanding animals I’d bet money you’ll have issues.
Rodi units are not super expensive but can save you big money down the road.
Just because you can keep animals alive doesn’t necessarily mean you are giving them the best chance of surviving and thriving.
Just my $.02

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If it is your drinking water, do you have a test that showed it was ok for drinking? That would be useful for determining if it is ok or not.

 

[SaltySpikes]

Will do thank you all for commenting
I will gradually switch over

 

[SaltySpikes]

If it is your drinking water, do you have a test that showed it was ok for drinking? That would be useful for determining if it is ok or not.

Yea I keep some plants that need specific water the tds meter is showing pretty low every time. Usually under .10 ppm

 

[SaltySpikes]

If it is your drinking water, do you have a test that showed it was ok for drinking? That would be useful for determining if it is ok or not.

Yea I keep some plants that need specific water the tds meter is showing pretty low every time. Usually under .10 ppm

.8*

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yea I keep some plants that need specific water the tds meter is showing pretty low every time. Usually under .10 ppm

The well water itself is not under 0.1 ppm tds.

Do you have a full test report?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Most tds meters do not read below 1 ppm tds.

 

[SaltySpikes]

Most tds meters do not read below 1 ppm tds.

 

[SaltySpikes]

Most tds meters do not read below 1 ppm tds.

I haven’t had the well water tested just the tank itself by the man at the fish store.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You drink well water you’ve never tested?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What I meant was that most tds meters read 0 or 1 ppm tds.

 

[SaltySpikes]

You drink well water you’ve never tested?

Drank way worse. Plus it doesn’t have a sulfer smell like other places I’ve lived.

 

[SaltySpikes]

You drink well water you’ve never tested?

Drank way worse. Plus it doesn’t have a sulfer smell like other places I’ve lived.

I wouldn’t drink distilled water…Whats your point?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I wouldn’t drink distilled water…Whats your point?

Thought I stated very clearly my points.

1. IF you had tested the well water you drink, those tests could be very useful in determining if the water was suitable for a reef tank.

2. It is strongly recommended by experts that you test well water before drinking it. In many places, it is required by law. Unrelated to reefing, but I would not drink untested home well water.

https://www.cdc.gov/drinking-water/safety/guidelines-for-testing-well-water.html
3. I think you misunderstand your tds meter. No well water is below 1 ppm tds.

 

[xWascallyWabbit]

I would agree with testing if you are consuming your water. I DO NOT drink my well water. I use it for the reef tank but with a wife and kids we only drink from the 5 gal water dispenser. Please get a test kit you can order them online and send a sample to make sure it's potable.

 

[Jamie814]

What brand TDS meter is this?
I don't know of any that read TDS under 1ppm

The meter is your picture looks like a cheapo 3in1 Tester

www.amazon.com/QNCIGER-Temperature-Aquariums-Drinking-Hydroponics/dp/B0DL4P27H6/ref=sims_dp_d_dex_ai_rank_model_3_d_v1_d_sccl_2_20/147-0516076-7049735?pd_rd_w=y3WRT&content-id=amzn1.sym.5f8efc59-5cdc-4991-ae96-a0843709ca56&pf_rd_p=5f8efc59-5cdc-4991-ae96-a0843709ca56&pf_rd_r=FWE51CY2NHMFK1H3P16A&pd_rd_wg=Rm0DL&pd_rd_r=56165de4-e7b5-4393-bb30-3521056893fe&pd_rd_i=B0DL4P27H6&th=1