Hello Duke,
While I agree with many of the reefers here that RO/DI water is the most ideal setup, I would like to point out that there are successful reefers that do not use them. I do find the vast majority of "dream" reef aquariums do use them. Mind you these sytems usually have the best of all equipment.
The reason a sales person at a store may suggest a good water conditioner is that it is the bare minimum treatment for your water.
At our store we do recommend RO units for reef aquariums, and have them on many of the systems we install, but the reality is that not everyone is willing to purchase them for their system. If you are willing to purchase a RO/DI unit or the water jugs that's great. You are going one extra step to help ensure a successful and healthy reef aquarium.
If you have a limited budget, as many do, I feel that there are other priorities first. Rather than spread yourself thin, as RO/DI units can easily be added at a later time, they are not the first priority (unless you are experiencing water problems). I'd prefer your budget went to the best skimmer and lighting systems first. I believe that they are a more important first step to your success as a hobbyist.
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This goes against everything I have read so far (books, internet...).
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I would like to give you credit for actually researching and asking questions.
I wish that every person that walked in the store could afford the ultimate reef system with the best of everything and the knowledge to go with it. It would make my job much more enjoyable, and obviously good for the store!, better for the hobbyist,
and most important of all it would be better for the animals housed within those glass walls.
Reality is much different, many reefers start out with less than ideal setups. Many reefers haven't read many books or researched on the web. They often buy first and only ask questions when the coral is already dying or dead.
Most reefers don't have a separate quarantine system for their fish, inverts, and corals (which goes against everything you will read in books!). Many reefers have insufficient lighting or water movement within their aquarium. Many reefers don't supplement food to their corals (plankton substitutes), overfeed, etc, etc.
Yet many are still quite successful.
I guess to sum up my rantings, I would like to say an RO/DI unit is but one of many useful tools available to the hobbyist, it does not guarantee success, but
it is an essential part of the most successful reef systems.