Tap water! Bad idea????

dirtyreefer · #1 03-07-2006, 01:28 AM

The TDS in Vancouver is alot lower than in the interior. I tested the TDS at 17ppm and I still won't use it. That is unless you enjoy battling hair algae and putting things into your aquarium that you have no idea about.

TheReefGeek · #2 03-07-2006, 01:43 AM

wow, 17! Some reefers in the US have 10ppm coming out of their RO units!

Willow · #3 03-07-2006, 01:54 AM

i wouldnt use the tap water if the tds was 0. i have to much invested in my corals and setup to risk a tank crash on shitty water.

Psyire · #4 03-07-2006, 02:32 AM

especially for the $200 an RO Unit costs..

G1GY · #5 03-07-2006, 02:44 AM

This is a tank with just $h!tty tap water!

http://totm.aquariumpros.ca/index.shtml

Snoop Dog · #6 03-07-2006, 03:49 AM

I agree with DirtyReefer. TDS is about 17, and on 3 start ups in my aquarist Career , all have lead to hair algea and or cyno when I used tap water. RODI I had vertually none.

I guess it just depends on your tolerence level for algae.

Buddyboy · #7 03-07-2006, 03:32 PM

Thanks all for you comments and suggestions! I think I will just have to make the time and make the RO water. I think it can probably be done with tap water, but this is my first saltwater tank and don't want to push my luck! hehe

Bud

seashells · #8 03-07-2006, 07:37 PM

Well tapwater in Surrey runs about 10-50 ppm TDS, Alkalinity 30ppm Calcium 30 ppm and the pH runs 7.2-7.5 when we test water for people. We use the AP tapwater filter and get a TDS of 0-2ppm. Have had no problems to date. Also making 38 gallons of water goes pretty quick - like coming to the kitchen for a snack only to step in a puddle.

Doug