Tap water for starters

basile · Feb 9, 2017

Someone just tweet me that i could fill my 265 G tank faster with tap water at first for the cycling.

I was surprise by the suggestion, and wonder . I know their's no life yet in the tank, and the cycle is a few weeks to months. But i'm perplex as to this. I've research the use of tap water and some seem to use it even when they have life stock. What do you think.

The person suggested that because of my back wall that couldn't betaken out to clean it its ceramic panels that is still full of debris that i can't get out. Mainly macro algae that was in my refugium. So he said tap water wouldn't make any difference because of the die OFF from those algae and it would be better to use RO when i do water changes later on. This is my back wall the same is in the refugium;

butters417 · Feb 9, 2017

I'd never use tap water..you'll have a lot more algae and issues...

donnievaz · Feb 9, 2017

You don't want to do that... It's asking for trouble that can haunt you for years.

Vaughn17 · Feb 9, 2017

I've been using tap water on three tanks for 4 years, no problems...but I have very, very good tap water.

basile · Feb 9, 2017

butters417 said:
I'd never use tap water..you'll have a lot more algae and issues...

The person suggested that because of my back wall that couldn't be taken out to clean it its ceramic panels that is still full of debris that i can't get out. Mainly macro algae that was in my refugium. So he said tap water wouldn't make any difference because of the die OFF from those algae and it would be better to use RO when i do water changes later on. This is my back wall the same is in the refugium;

basile · Feb 9, 2017

Vaughn17 said:
I've been using tap water on three tanks for 4 years, no problems...but I have very, very good tap water.

Actually we here in Canada, Ottawa we have the best tap water in the country. so much so i didn't have to change my RO membrane in the last 3 years.

Bronc · Feb 9, 2017

Unless you have some pretty incredible tap water, I wouldn't do it. Our water here has lots of chloramine in it - I've never even been able to keep freshwater fish alive in it. RO/DI for me.

Vaughn17 · Feb 9, 2017

basile said:
Actually we here in Canada, Ottawa we have the best tap water in the country. so much so i didn't have to change my RO membrane in the last 3 years.

I grow acros in mine, plus I drink it. I had mine professionally tested for heavy metals and other potential toxins. You'd probably be wise to do the same, if you haven't done so already.

Sm51498 · Feb 9, 2017

I have always used tap water with prime and not had problems I can easily attribute to it. I don't recommend it though. It seems more people have more success with ro/di.

basile · Feb 10, 2017

Sm51498 said:
I have always used tap water with prime and not had problems I can easily attribute to it. I don't recommend it though. It seems more people have more success with ro/di.

I also just realized that i'll be using Prodibio products for the beginning ; the prodibio would also be compromised with the chlorine. So yep you guys are right RODI , thanks.

Waters · Feb 10, 2017

As everyone else stated, the use of tap water is 100% dependent upon what is in your water. RO/DI water removes all metals and contaminants so you know what is going in your tank. With tap water (unless you have it tested), you have no idea.

Nick92515 · Feb 10, 2017

Unless they were refering to rinsing out the tank first with tap to get all the old macro and crap out before you start it up. But rodi and a tds meter should be gotten

JakeShu · Feb 10, 2017

it would all depend on your water. i had mine tested at the local pet store and they said it was super clean that i could use it.

basile · Feb 10, 2017

I'm doing my RODI water as we speak. Its not a race no , the suggestion was given to me because of all the dead matter in the tank that i can't remove from my back wall. He said it wouldn't matter if i use RO water or plain water , because of the die OFF from the macro algae stuck on the wall.

That's why he suggested just the plain water. And since i'll be doing WC every week until cycled it wouldn't matter. But i get ya , i'm in no hurry, it was just a suggestion made by someone who's pretty good at it

Randy Holmes-Farley · Feb 10, 2017

basile said:
TSo he said tap water wouldn't make any difference because of the die OFF from those algae and it would be better to use RO when i do water changes later on.

And what if the tap water has copper in it? Nutrients are not the only concern.

Maritimer · Feb 10, 2017

I'm actually planning my initial fill to be with tapwater.

For a one-week leak test. Plan is then to drain and refill with RO/DI (which may take another week!), adding salt to taste and sand, and finally transferring liverock from the 65 to the new box.

~Bruce

Lionfish Lair · Feb 10, 2017

I use treated tap to cycle with and then replace it with RO/DI.

Rybren · Feb 10, 2017

Luckily, we have great water here in Ottawa. I ran my first tank for a few years with nothing but tap water and Prime. The best LFS in the area uses tap water in their main SPS tank (and have been for 20 years)

The main reason that I switched to RODI is because of the fear that the city will add something extra to the water to kill off something nasty. It happened to PaulB a number of years ago and he lost a number of fish (IIRC, it was a zinc compound that made it through his RO filters.)

Cary Meredith · Feb 10, 2017

I have used tap water for about 15 years with no ill side affects, yes I thought about getting an RO/DI filter but all of a sudden everything started testing at zero, 0 nitrates and 0 phosphates and have been doing water changes. I would say with my results because in the past my nitrates and phosphates always ran a little high, if you have a well established system that can control the excess nutrients then you can use tap water. I also top off with just tap water as well.