Distilled water to fill tank?

[jdaven22]

Here is the situation....

My tank, rock, light and salt will be in Friday. My RO/DI unit has been out of commission for a few years and I am sure it is needing new filters along with new couplings to fix broken parts.

The local fish store is a good hour and half away.

Would I be fine filling my tank (30g, w/rock probably 20-25g) with distilled water from Wally world? I have prime that I can add to remove any chlorinates if necessary.

I've never done this before, but have heard of it. I was wondering if I could get away with it this month to get the tank running and cycling.

If I am way off base, let me know- I will not have any hurt feelings at all about being wrong or taking the wrong choices.

 

[Steven R]

I go to my grocery store and get RO/DI water weekly for three tank's never had problem...

 

[jdaven22]

That may be an option as well... I just am not sure how pure their RO/DI is. Guess it is way better than tap water. Those two options will probably be what I choose to fill my tank with untill I can get the RO/DI unit fixed.

I just did not know if there was a disadvatange to distilled, since it is fairly cheap.

 

[Trex]

There was a time (( about 15 years ago )), where I just had a 10 gallon running (( was living in a small apartment in the city )) and just used distilled water. Besides the issue is carrying a bunch of gallon jugs home from the store, it worked well. I wouldn't want to do this long term (( money, inconvenience, etc )) but for what you need now, think it would work fine.

 

[AZDesertRat]

Distilled should be OK.
I don't know about there but around here we only have RO vending machines Water & Ice type stores, none offers RO/DI just RO.
Even in a pinch, RO only would get you up and running if thats all you can find. Many Georgia tap waters are pretty darn low in TDS so RO only does a pretty good job. I wouldn't use RO only long term but its not the end of the world to start with, certainly better than tap.

 

[FaviaFreak]

FYI.....

"The best distilled water is perfect for our applications. Typical commercial distilled water is likely acceptable, as long as it has not been exposed to metals such as copper in condensers, pipes or holding tanks. Unfortunately, it is not easy to know the production history of distilled water, and testing with most copper test kits may be inadequate because they may not accurately read low enough to detect its presence."

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/rhf/index.php#12

 

[fsu1dolfan]

I have used distilled for years without any issues.

 

[AZDesertRat]

Copper coils have not been used in most distillation units for years. Most today use epoxy or glass lined exotic metals like titanium and have no traces of copper or other metals. More of a concern is volatiles which can travel with the steam and be condensed back in to the treated water but again the use of carbon treatment before the distillation pretty much takes care of that.
I wouldn't be too concerned about the slight traces if any in distilled water.

 

[cdness]

I use it for mixing my two part and for emergency top offs or hospital tank creations if needed. You will be fine...

 

[FaviaFreak]

Copper coils have not been used in most distillation units for years. Most today use epoxy or glass lined exotic metals like titanium and have no traces of copper or other metals. More of a concern is volatiles which can travel with the steam and be condensed back in to the treated water but again the use of carbon treatment before the distillation pretty much takes care of that.
I wouldn't be too concerned about the slight traces if any in distilled water.

I was just throwing that out there but thanks for the heads up..I personally still would only use it in an emergency situation, I guess I'm just old school.. just my 2 cents

 

[jdaven22]

Thanks for all of the information guys. Distilled may be what I have to use to get the tank cycled, then I will do a large water change with rodi.