Tap water for the winter?

[apwhite]

Like many, I use ro water for my tank which is a 10g with only a clownfish in it as of right now. Where I live, it gets pretty cold in the winter and I’m concerned that there will be issues with my pipes if I use my RO system. I know that using tap water normally isn’t the best idea for a saltwater tank, but will it be acceptable to use for the next couple of months until it gets warm again?
P.s. there is not an option for me to buy water from lfs

 

[Cell]

What issues with pipes are you referring to? The ro water is fed by those same pipes so if you can run tap water safely, you can hook up the RODI filtration to it.

 

[Jekyl]

Agree with above. The best fight against frozen pipes is flowing water.

 

[CK00020]

I’m thinking maybe a wastewater problem mine sometimes freezes when it’s below zero

 

[Cell]

I’m thinking maybe a wastewater problem mine sometimes freezes when it’s below zero

Still not understanding. My wastewater goes down the drain of my utility sink, along with my tap water and laundry water. Yes, I should be using it for something useful...what is your setup where the wastewater can freeze?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

agree with above, but if rodi is not an option, then distilled water from the grocery store is the next best option

 

[homer1475]

Only thing that effects the cold water into my RO/DI, is production ratio. It goes super slow when my water is 36 F.

I've never had my waste line freeze(it empties completely), but have had my feed line freeze.

I agree that running water through the pipes is the best defense to freezing.

If using your RO/DI is prohibitive for what ever reason, use distilled from the grocery store. You never know whats in tap(do you have copper pipes for one?).

 

[CK00020]

I run mine into a Clearwater sump that blows it outside under my deck, worst case I have to put it into my septic for a couple weeks. Mine is probably frozen at the moment

 

[Sailaway]

you can buy reverse osmosis water at target, Walmart, food lion etc. works if you don’t have access to RODI.

 

[Tired]

You could also fill up a few five-gallon jugs with RO water now. Shouldn't need that much water for a few months of a 10gal tank.

 

[theMeat]

Make enough ro water now and store it in cool dark place, sealed up tight. Or maybe your local fish store or local reefer could supply you through winter. It’s hard to say how bad your tap water would be without knowing what’s in your tap water

 

[flagg37]

You could also fill up a few five-gallon jugs with RO water now. Shouldn't need that much water for a few months of a 10gal tank.

That was my thought too. Just stock up.

 

[exnisstech]

The wind chill here is negative 25 degrees Fahrenheit now and I have rodi brewing as I type this. Have been doing it year round here for almost 8 years and no issues. I think the production slows in the winter but its a non issue for me as I store 30 gallons and only use 5 or 6 gallons a day. (I do daily small water changes)

 

[vetteguy53081]

I run tap through my system year-round also using the cold lines. You will be fine

 

[Dan_P]

Like many, I use ro water for my tank which is a 10g with only a clownfish in it as of right now. Where I live, it gets pretty cold in the winter and I’m concerned that there will be issues with my pipes if I use my RO system. I know that using tap water normally isn’t the best idea for a saltwater tank, but will it be acceptable to use for the next couple of months until it gets warm again?
P.s. there is not an option for me to buy water from lfs

Are you concerned the tubing in the RO system will be affected by the super cold water? Good question. I think the operating information for your unit will recommend a suitable temperature range.