Holy crap! I have been using 170ppm TDS water!

[Aquattro]

What people need to understand is that TDS doesn't equal bad. It's just a measure of total dissolved solids. Of course those DS's could be bad, we have no (easy) way to tell. Calgary for example, has very high TDS. But much of that is mineral content from the water source. Not a bad thing at all. Areas near agricultural areas might be a bit more concerned, as run off also measures as TDS, which can be N or P compounds, and/or toxic compounds. Again, risk is low, but cost of RO to offset that risk seems negligible, at least for medium to larger tanks.

[kien]

I've used tap water with saltwater tanks that were just fine. However, in my current reef I like to have a little bit more control over what actually goes into the tank because I'm a control freak like that. Using RO/DI helps to give me that control. Again, tap water is fine if you don't really care what goes into your tank. TDS of anything above 0 means there's stuff in there. What that "stuff" happens to be is anybody's guess. Will that stuff hurt your tank? Probably not, but it's a variable that is unknown. A lot of people use tap water with their reefs, this isn't anything revolutionary or revealing :-)

[Proteus]

If you really want to know call public works and get a copy of the analytical.

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by Titus99

If you really want to know call public works and get a copy of the analytical.

I did check their online report. No trace of copper or silicate (I always look for those two components in particular). But since luck isn't favoring me much recently, I was thinking of starting RODI water but don't want to purchase the unit and don't really know where I can get reliable RODI.

[Proteus]

Consider all the money you spent on livestock. And equip. Another 200 bucks is money well spent. Once you purchase the unit filters are cheap and myself at most replace 2x a year and that's water with 120 ppm. Usually at spring when runoff and maybe fall with heavy rains

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by Titus99

Consider all the money you spent on livestock. And equip. Another 200 bucks is money well spent. Once you purchase the unit filters are cheap and myself at most replace 2x a year and that's water with 120 ppm. Usually at spring when runoff and maybe fall with heavy rains

Its not about the money. Its about the waste water. Landlord have it written in the contract that "no water wastage is allowed". He complains about 10 gallon water change, think what he will do with 50gallon water expense per water change :P That's why I was thinking of commercial water.

[Proteus]

Since you moving out since he's a d**k. Who cares. Lol

Does he pay water bill or you?

[BuschWacker]

I was thinking of starting RODI water but don't want to purchase the unit and don't really know where I can get reliable RODI.

Bring over a bucket. I'll make you some.

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by BuschWacker

Bring over a bucket. I'll make you some.

Thank you so much for the offer but I would like to get a permanent source since I really don't want to keep on bugging someone for the weekly water changing water

[Jakegr]

Tap water in North Van yesterday was 11 TDS I only use RO. Still, making the water is probably the biggest PITA about owning a reef tank.

I used to live in Hawaii and used tap water... my tank basically was a diatom tank due to high Si in Hawaii's tap water.