new tank, rodi?

[tracereefer]

i’m setting up my new 40 long tank. i have 30 gallons of RODI water on me. i don’t have an RODI system and my LFS is over an hour away (i’m 17 and live in CA so gas isn’t something i can really afford at the moment, especially with all the money i’m putting into this tank) i’m wondering if it’d be ok to use about 10-15 gallons of tap water to finish filling up the tank to cycle. once i start doing water changes and everything, i will continue to use RODI.

 

[Mjrenz]

i’m setting up my new 40 long tank. i have 30 gallons of RODI water on me. i don’t have an RODI system and my LFS is over an hour away (i’m 17 and live in CA so gas isn’t something i can really afford at the moment, especially with all the money i’m putting into this tank) i’m wondering if it’d be ok to use about 10-15 gallons of tap water to finish filling up the tank to cycle. once i start doing water changes and everything, i will continue to use RODI.

I wouldn't suggest it, you may end up with more problems than it's worth. I'm not in CA but I know there are a lot of reefers who are, you may be able to find someone close to you willing to share some. You may also find that the 30 gallons you have will go farther than you think it will. The 40 gallon rating is based on outside dimensions without any rock or sand in the tank

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It’s a risk that may be fine, or not. If you do it, run the tap water for a while before using it to flush out dissolved copper and lead.

 

[Alfrareef]

Always RODI water... (except when using natural salt water)

 

[Pete_the_Puma]

I would recommend NOT using tap water. If you have issues down the road you will always wonder if that was the problem to begin with. On my very first tank I didn't have a RODI unit to start, if you go to your local grocery store and read the labels on the different water gallon jugs they sell you might find they have cheap "purified" water, which is basically RO water. You obviously want to avoid "mineral" water. Might not be perfect 0 TDS but certainly closer to what you want to use...