Anyone have success useing tap water in a reef tank? I'm switching over from fw so I have allot of prime left over. Can I use tap water for a month or two before I start adding corals and get my hands on a rodi unit?
Can I use tap water?
- Thread starter fishyguy
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JohnC
Community Member
Honestly I would recommend against it. At the minimum I would recommend getting it from a water machine they are ro and it will at least remove the heavy metals and other stuff. Cheap also, I think the ones around here are $1.25 per 5 gallons. Not the best, but certainly better than tap water. I know some people have claimed success using it, but I would not.
Ward9320
It's NOT a Nemo!!!
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I agree with them, stay away from the tap water. There is so much stuff in tap water that you do not want to introduce to a marine aquarium. Heck if you knew everything that was in tap water you probably wouldn't drink it either.
EcoFrags
Active Member
the answer is yes it CAN be done but can and will most likely give you issues down the road especially if you never plan on using RO water in the future at all...corals require the most stable water conditions even if off "ideal" parameters if they are consistent then the corals will be happy all the same...tap water because of a multitude of reasons differs from day to day let alone week to week so that consistency would be near impossible to ensure
If it is worth doing, it is worth doing right from the beginning. Start cutting corners now and you will end up paying for it down the road. Water is the single largest ingredient in a reef tank and everything depends on its quality and its stability. You will not have that with tap water which can change without notice and wipe a system in a heartbeat.
mfinn
likes zoanthids
It really depends on the tap water itself and what you plan on keeping.
I've been using tap water in my tanks for 28+ years.
I'm currently using it in my 240 gallon softy reef.
In my area the water seems to be above average. My tds averages about 30-31 year round. I've even gotten as low as 25 tds.
If you have plans for sps type tank, I would advise against it.
I do have a lps/sps tank that I have a ro/di for.
I've been using tap water in my tanks for 28+ years.
I'm currently using it in my 240 gallon softy reef.
In my area the water seems to be above average. My tds averages about 30-31 year round. I've even gotten as low as 25 tds.
If you have plans for sps type tank, I would advise against it.
I do have a lps/sps tank that I have a ro/di for.
beaslbob
2500 Club Member
Yeppers. LOL
But then I have a tank that is balanced out and maintained with macro algaes.
And just replace the water that evaporates and do no water changes.
the macro algaes will condition the water and export things toxic to the corals.
my .02
Coraloliseffect
Active Member
Look at people with established 3+ yrs successful tanks that you wish to emulate. Then follow their lead and ask them for advise. Local clubs can be great for that. And read read read published works. always recommend at least Martin mo beginner to breeder as a minimum.
As it helped straighten all the nonsense out for myself.
Unless where you live has amazing water. You will find successful reef tanks use ro.
As it helped straighten all the nonsense out for myself.
Unless where you live has amazing water. You will find successful reef tanks use ro.
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If you're low on funds you can use this. It's only $50 and replacement filters are about $20. It's a DI filter and works pretty good. The filters don't last as long as the RO/DI systems do so I would still switch to the full RO/DI when you can afford it. http://www.marinedepot.com/Aquarium...icals_API_MARS_Fishcare-AP4111-FIRODI-vi.html
Plain and simple, yes you can use tap water to begin your tank. Just make sure that you also get a phosphate reactor when you get your RO/DI unit. You should try and get as much phosphate as possible before you toss in the corals. And the levels will be different for everyone, all depends on where you live.
ValorG
Active Member
I say depends on your tap water, tap water in different areas differ. I myself started my tank and ran with tap water for 6 months and grew some easy sps and zoas. I had no algae other than the normal diatoms which disappeared then coralline covered my rocks. But after awhile, my corals started to not look good and I decided to go with an ro/di unit.
