Can I use tap water for QT?

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Oliver94

Oliver94

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Hello guys :)
I have decided to QT everything before going into my DT. I buy RO water from my lfs for my reef aquarium.
And thinking about qt means lots of water changes it will be difficult for me to get that much ro water,the lfs is not near from me.

Can i use tap water and add to it salt of course,to qt my fish only?

Thank you guys!
 
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Are you going to QT fish or corals?
If fish I would say yea it's not terrible just use something like amquel or prime.
If corals I would say you probably will run into some issues.
 
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I have done it many times.
RO is always preferred but fish won't be as bothered by the alk levels and what not. Just make sure ph is on point and use dechlorinator and should be fine.
 
Also if you are going to take this on I would recommend an RO unit purchase because will save you time and money as well. Plus you can use it to mix your own salt water for your DT
 
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I know I should get an RO unit it will
Help a lot
But financially i am a bit limited. But i should get it soon. Anyway i already spent ~150$ on ro water
 
I hear yea. But with that kind of expense you could get yourself one no prob. I use AquaFx filters if not BRS always has some good deals.
 
I asked my lfs he told me 200$ i will try to see if i find cheaper.definitely a material on the top of my list
 
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If i can buy online it will be easier for me not only to get an ro unit. But I live in Lebanon,delivery not as easy as for the us and other countries you know
 
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Hehe yeah! But that's okay i am handling it and going step by step into my reef,i always wanted to have a reef but i am only a student and cannot afford all
The expenses,finally i decided to dive in and go step by step! I already have some fish and corals in a 120g reef! The heavy expenses are at the beginning but once you have the material it can be handled . Hehe
I'm oliver by the way :)
Thank you so much for your help! Have a fantastic weekend!
 
I bought a 5 stage RO system meant for home drinking purposes.
Came with a tank to hold water and all.
Installed it myself under my kitchen sink in 20 minutes. ( im not handy )
It has its own Faucet and i can drink it and use it for my fish.
100 Gal per day capable. Pretty sure i paid less than $150
 
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Oliver94 said:
Hello guys :)
I have decided to QT everything before going into my DT. I buy RO water from my lfs for my reef aquarium.
And thinking about qt means lots of water changes it will be difficult for me to get that much ro water,the lfs is not near from me.

Can i use tap water and add to it salt of course,to qt my fish only?

Thank you guys!
Click to expand...

If you use tap water you will have to treat it with a tap water primer from the LFS. I have used it many of times when I am in a bit of a jam setting up a QT. Most of the time I have at least 30+ gallons of fresh RO made though. If you use the primer you should wait a couple of days to put any medication in the water because there could be some effects from combining the two. Also I would only use tap for fish, everything else I would use RO water.
 
I understand the difficulties you have bc of living in Lebanon where it is more difficult to get a RODI system, but I'm assuming you are doing regular water changes with the water you get from your LFS, right? If that's the case, then my suggestion is that you do a water change when setting up your QT and use the water you are pulling from the DT. That's usually how I set up my QT. Then everytime I change water in the QT, I use water from the DT and replace the water in the DT with fresh saltwater. It does 2 things IMO: 1) It keeps the new fish in QT acclimating to my tank water while in QT, and 2) it changes the water in my DT (something I need to do anyway) without the adding any big expense of extra water for the QT. Hope that helps! :)
 
does your LFS not sell RODI water ?.... for the cost at all the LFS around here i would never use tap water, just buy RODI water. a system to make your own is always nice but thats if you have $
 
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JFrar said:
does your LFS not sell RODI water ?.... for the cost at all the LFS around here i would never use tap water, just buy RODI water. a system to make your own is always nice but thats if you have $
Click to expand...

A reliable system can be had for $150-$200. If you are looking to stay in this hobby for at least a year you will spend more actually buying it from the LFS. Why people go and pick it up is beyond me. Say you have to get 10 gallons a weeks at .50 cents per gallon (its about .75 here) for 52 weeks you are at $260 for the year. Nevermind the cost of gas and the annoying fact that you have to go pick it up. Even as low as .25 a gallon you are still spending $130 with the trouble of having to go to the store and haul it home.

Pick up a BRS unit for $170 with an automatic shutoff, buy a float for $8-10 and attach it to a bucket. You will never have to worry about turning it on and off and you will have water made all the time.
 
mdbannister said:
I understand the difficulties you have bc of living in Lebanon where it is more difficult to get a RODI system, but I'm assuming you are doing regular water changes with the water you get from your LFS, right? If that's the case, then my suggestion is that you do a water change when setting up your QT and use the water you are pulling from the DT. That's usually how I set up my QT. Then everytime I change water in the QT, I use water from the DT and replace the water in the DT with fresh saltwater. It does 2 things IMO: 1) It keeps the new fish in QT acclimating to my tank water while in QT, and 2) it changes the water in my DT (something I need to do anyway) without the adding any big expense of extra water for the QT. Hope that helps! :)
Click to expand...


++++1
This is what I do. Some times 1/2 old and 1/2 new water.
 
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