Success with tap water

[Mork]

I’m just getting back into the planning stages of a new tank - and the logistics of using an RO/DI unit in my new place is rather challenging.

I’m curious about how many of you in the GVRD are using just tap water with success in your tanks. Can it be done without issues with algae? And furthermore, can it be used in an SPS dominated tank with good results?

[Mitch85]

Hey, I am not the most experienced reefer but I do run an sps dominant tank. Sps are very $$$ I would either buy rodi water from jl or find a way to make rodi work.

[LifeIsGreat]

I used tap water in the southern Saskatchewan area and got mega hair algae. Now I use a 4 stage RO filter for my drinking water and reef water. Works pretty good. I have some hair algae, but so little that I can't tell if it is from the water or from food/critter waste. I also don't run any filters other than carbon, not even a sock.

[Frogger]

You can purchase R/O water from most grocery stores, not too expensive if you have your own containers. I have been forced to do it in a pinch.

[Dash]

Hi,
I use tap water. I have a tank journal on here if you’d like to check out some photos

[Mork]

@Dash - your tank looks awesome, with some nice growth on your SPS

Have you had any algae issues with the tank? I assume you also use tap water for your top-off too?

[Thanhk87]

Originally Posted by BCOrchidGuy

Our water in the gvrd has almost no dissolved solids, even discus breeders need to harden the water a tiny bit.

I do not believe there is any reason for rodi water. Buy an inexpensive deionizing filter to polish your water. Our water has chloramine I believe, you can remove that with prime or the DI filter.
On the bright side if you do go with rodi filters your membranes should last a very long time as there are no carbonates or bicarbonate to remove

I 2nd this. Never got to replace my carbon. Been over 3 years. But the filter u need to every year for me.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

[BCOrchidGuy]

Deionizing resins can be recharged at home fairly easy.
You do suffer a small loss but you can buy replacement resin to keep your media level topped up. Repla e your carbon and you'll be good to go

[titus]

Hello

I'd recommend to go for a proper RO/DI. I tried tap, tap with DI, RO/DI in GVRD and can say tap with DI isn't sufficient.

Titus

[hfp75]

Im in Calgary and I have always used tap water.