Best Water To Use

[Tetra1]

What is the best water to use if you are not able to get RO/DI water? My small tank was leaking and I have to switch over to a new one, but, I do not have access to RO/DI water. What should I use; Spring, Distilled? :squigglemouth:

 

[Jc_ellis]

Distilled would be the closest to RODI, in my opinion.

 

[AZDesertRat]

Distilled water is your second choice after good RO/DI if that is not available. Most users have found the purple cap jugs at WalMart to be very good quality.

 

[vic67]

I run RODI water now but when I first started I used tap water that was treated with Prime. TDS in my area is about 137; I didn't have any problems with excess algae.

 

[Scubafrog]

What about using the "API Tap Water Filter"? Cheaper than a RO/DI and there is no waste. I have thought about getting one when I set up my nano tank just for top off water.

Does anyone use this?

Aquarium Water Quality: Tap Water Filter

 

[NanaReefer]

What about using the "API Tap Water Filter"? Cheaper than a RO/DI and there is no waste. I have thought about getting one when I set up my nano tank just for top off water.

Does anyone use this?

Aquarium Water Quality: Tap Water Filter

I used one of these for about a year for my 8g bio-cube. I never did check the TDS out put but I was plagued by Hair Algae.

 

[AZDesertRat]

The tap water filter is often exhausted in as little as 15 to 30 gallons of water. It only holds so much resin and carbon so have a very limited capacity. Remember the RO membrane is what does 90-98+% of the treatment, the sediment and carbon filters are only there to protect the RO membrane, and the DI is merely a final polishing filter to finish off that last 2% os so.

Don't waste your money, they get extremely expenisve in a hurry. 99% of those who report good results don't have a TDS meter so really have no idea if it is working or not, usually not.