recommended distilled water brand?

[ElitePirate]

Hello friends,

I thought it's best to open a new thread and ask this question. Right now I;m using Dasani distilled water to topup my nano tank. But thanks to @ruth howard who pointed out that it has a TDS of 17 :O - https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/red-sea-salt-mix-without-ro-water.475831/#post-5232585

Without knowing that I was using this water brand.. I don't have a RO unit, but I'll get a RO-DI unit by next month. Until then I still have to topup my tank with fresh water. Can someone recommend a distilled water brand i can use until i get a RO unit?

Thanks

 

[Shep]

To be honest, they are all going to probably have some TDS rating if they are a store bought brand, if you are getting an RODI unit next month I would not worry too much as 17 TDS will probably have little impact on your tank overall.

 

[Maggie321]

If you have a LFS close, they will sell you RODI water.

 

[cristata.reef]

Some water stores might have an RODI unit. Ask around. I get 1 gallon of RODI for 25 cents and it's useful in emergencies since it's a self service

 

[ElitePirate]

gotcha thanks

 

[KStatefan]

I would think that most of the distilled brands would be close to the same. Surprised to see the Dasani distilled that high.

 

[ElitePirate]

today i did a test and Dasani was 67 ppm but on the bright side managed to find a distilled water brand which contains only 3 ppm

 

[KStatefan]

I would try distilled water instead of distilled drinking water

 

[ElitePirate]

i've tried several other brands, but this one is the close match. as long as the ppm is low, should be ok right?

 

[Retro Reefer]

I used the Walmart brand for many years in my nano tanks.. always tested 0 TDS and only .85 cents a gallon.

 

[ElitePirate]

wow thats so cool and a good deal

 

[Fin]

At least you have a TDS meter and know what you are adding to the tank. I always saw this as a pretty essential part of my reefing gear. Even if you get RO/DI from the LFS, I would still check it first. Some stores aren't the best at changing out filters or media in their systems.

 

[ElitePirate]

yea i agree. and im also planning to use sea salt mix and make my own salt water for now. I guess for that a 3ppm level should be ok

 

[Captain Quint]

today i did a test and Dasani was 67 ppm but on the bright side managed to find a distilled water brand which contains only 3 ppm

Much of the distilled drinking water started at a stripped 0 TDS, but they add minerals back in is why you're seeing those readings.

 

[Dana Riddle]

One point. Make sure your distilled water is made by a glass - not copper - still. 'Purified' water is usually RO, and the bottle should be marked as such.

 

[Zohar78]

Much of the distilled drinking water started at a stripped 0 TDS, but they add minerals back in is why you're seeing those readings.

yup. most of the time its written on the bottle with words along the lines "minerals added for flavoring". if they didnt the water would be extremely flat/bland.

 

[ElitePirate]

One point. Make sure your distilled water is made by a glass - not copper - still. 'Purified' water is usually RO, and the bottle should be marked as such.

sorry what do you mean by distilled water is made by a glass? can elaborate please

 

[RossoneriFan1]

I used the Walmart brand for many years in my nano tanks.. always tested 0 TDS and only .85 cents a gallon.

I use that same brand and have no problem!

 

[Retro Reefer]

sorry what do you mean by distilled water is made by a glass? can elaborate please

The condensation coils can be metal or glass.. metals can potentially leech into water in systems using metal coils however the majority of distillers these day’s use glass.

 

[ElitePirate]

The condensation coils can be metal or glass.. metals can potentially leech into water in systems using metal coils however the majority of distillers these day’s use glass.

hmm. not sure if i can get those details from their website or not.. will try