Is my water safe?

[gemini9]

I haven't been using RODI water until today. I picked up 3 gallons for a water change, but I started my tank (30g) with spring water from a mountainside spring just below the house. It hasn't been tested yet but it's free so I used it. Anyway, I'm not sure about the quality of the water, but I do have literally hundreds of thousands of copepods in my tank. An infestation actually... It's pretty scary... and I am also seeing algae grazing flatworms all over the glass now. The flatworms recently emerged from their hiding places and they are starting to flourish as well. So with all this life in there, does this mean the spring water is safe to use? Tank is about a month old. I don't have any visible algae or diatoms. No cyno or any sort of other growth in there. Just a infestation of pods and now, algae grazing flatworms. If this means the water is ok it will save me some cash.

 

[mike007]

You never know what is in spring water unless you have it tested. Better to be safe and only use rodi water.

 

[FL_Reefer]

The problem that you have here is that natural spring water may be loaded with different elements you deff don't want to introduce to your tank. ie. aluminum, silicon, nickel, copper, sulfur are just to name a few. Plus could contain a high content of calcium as well. Hope this helps a bit. It's nice that it's free but you will be a lot happier in the long run knowing your RODI water has none of these compounds.

 

[FL_Reefer]

I I forgot Lead, silver and pretty much every metal on earth. Great for drinking maybe but not good for the tank. Just out of curiosity how is your tank looking? Are you having any ill effects? ie coral growth or Heath of the inhabitants.

 

[gemini9]

Ok. Well I did my first 10% water change using RODI, so I'll keep using it regularly. I'm going to do another 10% wc friday or saturday. Trying to get my nitrates down so I can start stocking a cuc.

 

[fishroomlady]

good advice! you'll be happier in the long run. That's nice that you live that close to a spring.