RO/DI substitute?

[aggrofishkeeper]

Is there any substitute for RO/DI water?

Besides:
going to the LFS and buying water
Distilled 1g from grocery store

Is there a DIY project that you can do to filter tap water to reef safe?

Has anyone on the board successfully maintained a reef tank with conditioned tap?

[mistahoo]

Ro/di filter plugged into your tap. Done. If not you can buy water from watermill express. That's what I use for my nano tank. Cheap for me and it's around the corner.

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[aggrofishkeeper]

Well I'm building a 220g fowlr then slowly transition it to a soft coral tank.

I can't run back and forth from the water mill for 220g.

[mistahoo]

Buy a RO/DI filter. That's your best bet

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[TheHighestCrew]

I was thinking of getting something like this for my saltwater set up I am working on:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004T3JH6W/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2WB85U7KGWL9Q

Dunno if that would work for you but check it out. They also make one that is 3 stage, but I like the idea of removing fluoride from some water for drinking.

[KhmerStyle]

justdoit runs straight water from her tap but she is on a well and her tank is thriving with coral

[Bakapuma]

Invest in a RO/DI filter. They are easy to use and relativelyt inexpensive. The filters last a long time. Best of all... having all the filtered water you will need for your setup. Check out Buckeye Field supply. I have been using them for the last 10 years. Dont invest time and money into a tank only to have an expensive tank crash because of bad water. If you dont do this right you will have a nasty display

[mistahoo]

justdoit runs straight water from her tap but she is on a well and her tank is thriving with coral

I don't think aggro is on well. Well is generally much better than city water and I'd consider using it in a reef tank.

[aggrofishkeeper]

I was looking into Air Water Ice RO/DI units...

Anyone know anything about them?

Also is it ok to initially fill up the tank with tap then switch to RO/DI for everything else after?

[mistahoo]

From what I've heard, they're a pretty good brand. I was actually going to buy the Mighty Mite 50GPD with DI Added, but found out the watermill express by my house has low TDS and would be perfect for my 5G nano. I opted to just fill my 7g jug instead of buying the RODI unit.

[Bakapuma]

I was looking into Air Water Ice RO/DI units...

Anyone know anything about them?

Also is it ok to initially fill up the tank with tap then switch to RO/DI for everything else after?

No! It is never ok to use tap water in a reef tank, or any salt water tank for that matter. Depending on where you live, tap water has all kinds of nasty things in it that can be harmful for your tank inhabitants. Copper is deadly, even in small amounts, for inverts. Also, most of the tap water used in the houston area is very high in phosphates and amonia. Both of these are not only bad for corals and other inverts, but will burn the gills of your fish. If you are dumping money into a system, it only makes since to insure that the water is healthy for the aquatic life. Be responsible and get a good RO/ DI filter. The best recommendations for a healthy system is to not skimp on the skimmer or the water. In the saltwater hobby, water quality is the most important factor. Typically when someone posts a problem with there system it is a direct result of not maintaining good water parameters. Just a month of bad water is enough to harm your livestock. Even if you correct the problem, the damage is done. Be a responsible aquarist and be thorough with your water.

[aggrofishkeeper]

I've actually done a soft coral tank 40g breeder and used tap (dosed with prime)...was fine...
I've tested my tap and it has never had ammonia. If it did I don't even think that's safe to drink for humans...

[Bakapuma]

I've actually done a soft coral tank 40g breeder and used tap (dosed with prime)...was fine...
I've tested my tap and it has never had ammonia. If it did I don't even think that's safe to drink for humans...

Alrighty then. Good Luck With That

[aquabee]

I've actually done a soft coral tank 40g breeder and used tap (dosed with prime)...was fine...
I've tested my tap and it has never had ammonia. If it did I don't even think that's safe to drink for humans...

Humans have beneficial bacteria in the gut that convert small amounts of ammonia into urea, then you pee it out. The liver also breaks down ammonia. As long as those bacteria and the liver aren't overwhelmed by the ammonia levels, we're good to go. Just some trivia. :)

[aggrofishkeeper]

Alrighty then. Good Luck With That

Thanks for the advice. I'll get a RO DI unit asap