Hose water for initial fill?

[jrlafrance]

I've read several threads regarding using (or rather, NOT using) tap or hose water to mix salt water. I just bought a Reefer 650 and need to fill it, the DT and sump will be around 200 gallons more or less. I live in Hawaii, and called a couple of aquarium maintenance companies asking if they could deliver some salt water for the initial fill. BOTH people asked why I didn't just fill a 55 gallon drum with hose water then add salt? They both said thats how they always do it. I was a litte surprised by this answer.

My question is, for the initial fill, knowing that I'm going to have to cycle the tank anyways, why shouldn't I use the two water, and then use salt water mixed with RO/DI for water changes?

 

[Derek Clifford]

I would not do it. I dont think anything good would happen by not using DI water.

 

[erk]

Since you live in Hawaii, why don't you go down to the coast and fill up some tanks with water to do the initial fill? If I was near the coast, that is what I would do. Granted, you should filter it before it gets into the tank, but that is as simple as running it thru some reactors with filter floss and carbon.

 

[jrlafrance]

Since you live in Hawaii, why don't you go down to the coast and fill up some tanks with water to do the initial fill? If I was near the coast, that is what I would do. Granted, you should filter it before it gets into the tank, but that is as simple as running it thru some reactors with filter floss and carbon.

I could do this, but I don' have the means of transporting more than 28 gallons at a time. If I were to get sea water, I would need a boat to get far enough out to get "clean" water also.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I wouldn't risk it if the water treatment company puts any kind of copper into the water it could soak into your rock and slowly Leach out over time not to mention any chlorines or other heavy metals it's just best practice to use Ro di water straight from the gate so you don't have problems further down the road

 

[Benga]

Since you live in Hawaii, why don't you go down to the coast and fill up some tanks with water to do the initial fill? If I was near the coast, that is what I would do. Granted, you should filter it before it gets into the tank, but that is as simple as running it thru some reactors with filter floss and carbon.

Does this apply to southern california too?

 

[jrlafrance]

Does this apply to southern california too?

When I lived in Escondido (San Diego), my LFS (The Love Aquarium) trucked in sea water! It was fantastic and super convenient! I don' remember where they got it from though.

 

[Benga]

When I lived in Escondido (San Diego), my LFS (The Love Aquarium) trucked in sea water! It was fantastic and super convenient! I don' remember where they got it from though.

I heard there's some institute out there in SD that has a setup where you can fill up on ocean water that's been run through a light floss. Chances are they get it from there since it's free. I know another member gets his from there too. I'm up on the Malibu side tho :'(