Distilled Water vs Dechlorinated Water

[Pea Puffer 67]

Hello. I am new to saltwater and I’m thinking of starting up a tank. I have freshwater tanks rn and I’m wondering if I can use the same dechlorinator to convert tap water into water for freshwater fish, but with saltwater. Meaning I would add the salt to the dechlorinated water. Would that work the same way as using distilled water in a salt water tank? Thanks!

 

[Terry Mattson]

Best practice is to purchase a ro/di system and use the ro/di water to make your salt water. Also, ro/di water is best practice for fresh water. I have a spectrapure max 90 5 stage. TBS is zero and no chemical additives are needed ....

 

[theMeat]

Depends what contaminates, and how much of them, are in your tap water.
likely best to buy rodi water, or an rodi unit and make your own

 

[sfin52]

Hello. I am new to saltwater and I’m thinking of starting up a tank. I have freshwater tanks rn and I’m wondering if I can use the same dechlorinator to convert tap water into water for freshwater fish, but with saltwater. Meaning I would add the salt to the dechlorinated water. Would that work the same way as using distilled water in a salt water tank? Thanks!

Short answer is yes you can.

Unlike a fw tank all kinds of nastiness can be in the water that coral won't tolerate. Phosphates and nitrates are also in the water and this cause issues down the road with algae. Distilled water is close to rodi but it may have traces of copper in it.

If you are running a fowlr tap will work but you will end up with algae if not controlled some other way. Ro will also work
For reef distilled or rodi is the way to go.

 

[my.PsychReef]

It is common for new hobbyists to start with tap water and add declorinators when they first get into the saltwater hobby. Yes it works for some but not for all due to possible issues and contaminants that could affect the inhabitants in the long run. The best practice is to start with RO/DI water, perhaps you can purchase from the LFS. Then later purchase an RO/DI unit. Welcome to the hobby!

 

[sfin52]

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

Hello. I am new to saltwater and I’m thinking of starting up a tank. I have freshwater tanks rn and I’m wondering if I can use the same dechlorinator to convert tap water into water for freshwater fish, but with saltwater. Meaning I would add the salt to the dechlorinated water. Would that work the same way as using distilled water in a salt water tank? Thanks!

When I start a tank, I go to Walmart, pick up distill water, but now, grab from water dispenser at .30 cents a gallon

 

[AquaholicAquariums]

When I start a tank, I go to Walmart, pick up distill water, but now, grab from water dispenser at .30 cents a gallon

I tested Walmart (and target) distilled water and got 0 TDS. Have yet to get 0 TDS in LFS down in south Florida.

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

I tested Walmart (and target) distilled water and got 0 TDS. Have yet to get 0 TDS in LFS down in south Florida.

Even water dispenser I go to is TDS at 20.

 

[Therinx]

Another vote for RO/DI. It's cheaper in the long run than buying too.

 

[Pea Puffer 67]

Another vote for RO/DI. It's cheaper in the long run than buying too.

Does anyone know how much it would be to get a Ro/di system? Maybe for under $100? And do I have to replace anything on it? Or is it just one purchase and you’re good?

 

[Therinx]

Ro Buddie $60 or thereabouts. You'll need to replace cartridges every so often.

 

[sfin52]

Does anyone know how much it would be to get a Ro/di system? Maybe for under $100? And do I have to replace anything on it? Or is it just one purchase and you’re good?

Buy used but all replacement plus used may be more than a new unit. If you can get the unit for around 50 you will be money ahead

 

[Pea Puffer 67]

Best practice is to purchase a ro/di system and use the ro/di water to make your salt water. Also, ro/di water is best practice for fresh water. I have a spectrapure max 90 5 stage. TBS is zero and no chemical additives are needed ....

How did you find out the TBS and all that stuff? Do you use a water hardness tester?

 

[theMeat]

It’s tds, you can get a tds meter from amazon for under $20
Water buddy is ok for very small tank. Otherwise get a proper 5 stage rodi from brs or spectrapur or water general would be my recommendation

 

[Matt Carden]

Bulk reef supply sells TDS meters.

 

[Matt Carden]

Does anyone know how much it would be to get a Ro/di system? Maybe for under $100? And do I have to replace anything on it? Or is it just one purchase and you’re good?

How big is your tank and water change schedule determines upkeep cost.

 

[Terry Mattson]

Many good ro/di systems have tds meters on them. My spectrapure max 90 gallon per day checks 4 points on the filter system. . This system had hardness test trips used to test your water when setting up the unit. My tap water has a tds of 270. After membrain 3 tds. After the second to last filter 0. And last filter 0. I also have a hand tds meter as a back up.

 

[Pea Puffer 67]

Many good ro/di systems have tds meters on them. My spectrapure max 90 gallon per day checks 4 points on the filter system. . This system had hardness test trips used to test your water when setting up the unit. My tap water has a tds of 270. After membrain 3 tds. After the second to last filter 0. And last filter 0. I also have a hand tds meter as a back up.

Ok Thanks! Do you know if the Buddie Rodi has that? And if it doesnt could i just buy a hand tds meter?

 

[Pea Puffer 67]

How big is your tank and water change schedule determines upkeep cost.

My Tank is going to be 40 gallons. I'm thinking of doing a 10% water change every week and topping it off with RODI water every week. Would that work?