Water changes, LFS water vs homemade

[Fishtankssuck]

Hi all! I’m new and I have always done water changes with water from my LFS. I’ve noticed most people have their own RODI system and mix their own salt. Heck, I guess some people rarely change their water. Anyways, how important is it for me to invest in mixing my own water? Will I be saving money in the long run? Recommended salt mixes/rodi systems?

 

[The Aquatic Arsenal]

Personally I like to know for sure how everything is maintained. I can test for TDS anytime that I want. As for cost, it all depends on how much are paying per gallon at your LFS, but I would think that you are definitely over paying for water compared to the cost of making it yourself.

 

[Zbryant]

Also depend on what salt the LFS uses vs which salt you want to use

 

[homer1475]

I'm with @The Aquatic Arsenal.

I like to know exactly whats going into my tank, and the only way I can be 100% certain I'm using 0 TDS water is to make my own. Lets say someone at the LFS forgets to dump enough salt in, or over does it, how do you know if your just buying it and dumping it in?

Depending on tank size and how much water your changing out, it's not always cost effective to buy an RO/DI unit.

Take what your paying for water, and multiply it out by a year. See what a decent RO/DI unit costs, and compare.

Also when you make your own and use your own salt, you can be more proactive on what parameters your salt mixes up to by switching salt brands to match your tank.

All in all, while it may not be cost effective for nano tanks, it is the only way you can be 100% certain what your putting in your tank.

 

[inletfish]

lfs water has always been about as good as tap water around here. they dont change filter enough.

every store is different though

 

[inletfish]

I'm with @The Aquatic Arsenal.

I like to know exactly whats going into my tank, and the only way I can be 100% certain I'm using 0 TDS water is to make my own. Lets say someone at the LFS forgets to dump enough salt in, or over does it, how do you know if your just buying it and dumping it in?

Depending on tank size and how much water your changing out, it's not always cost effective to buy an RO/DI unit.

Take what your paying for water, and multiply it out by a year. See what a decent RO/DI unit costs, and compare.

Also when you make your own and use your own salt, you can be more proactive on what parameters your salt mixes up to by switching salt brands to match your tank.

All in all, while it may not be cost effective for nano tanks, it is the only way you can be 100% certain what your putting in your tank.

on my jbj45 the return on the cost was initial fill plus 3 months waterchanges

 

[inletfish]

i use reefcrystals and a 6 stage rodi from amazon

 

[homer1475]

on my jbj45 the return on the cost was initial fill plus 3 months waterchanges

I can see that, but think of something like a 10G nano or smaller. It would take significantly longer if ever to recoup the cost Vs. just buying it and measuring it yourself. I for one would not walk out of the LFS without at the very least testing TDS for RO/DI, or salinity if buying pre mixed.

 

[inletfish]

I can see that, but think of something like a 10G nano or smaller. It would take significantly longer if ever to recoup the cost Vs. just buying it and measuring it yourself. I for one would not walk out of the LFS without at the very least testing TDS for RO/DI, or salinity if buying pre mixed.

i dont disagree, most people with one 10g will have more tanks soon.

but still, i used to buy distilled and mix my own. .88c a gallon. initial fill is 8 bucks plus salt.

then 20% a week is another 2 bucks so yeah that would take 3 years or so lol

 

[SDK]

I quickly invested in an RODI when I got back into the hobby again with a Nuvo10. I thought I would last longer than I did buying distilled water by the gallon.

Then when things got rolling, I realized I hadn’t factored in top off water, mixing fresh SW to dip coral, running a small quarantine tank, storing a bunch of gallon jugs, etc....

One night two months in, my ATO alarm started going off and I realized I had no water. I had to run out to the supermarket at midnight in below zero weather. Ordered a BRS unit the next day.

The short version is you will use more more water than what you are changing weekly, and it’s much more convenient and cost effective to have it handy. This on top of the other good reasons already posted in his thread....

 

[mike550]

@Fishtankssuck (ironic name by the way). Everyone's given great reasons for why to make your own RODI and saltwater. Here are a couple more thoughts for you.

I just started in this hobby about four months ago (120G reef tank), and the first thing I ended up doing was researching and purchasing a RODI system. The LFS store that was helping me set up the tank also offered to sell pre-mixed saltwater but I really didn't want to have to make weekly / biweekly trips 20 min each way.

That said, I change about 20G every two weeks (but this might change as my bio-load goes up). But what I didn't appreciate is that having a fresh supply of RODI was also important for topping off, cleaning equipment, etc. So in addition to having complete control over the water going into my tank was also the convenience of making water when I needed it.

 

[Bossman]

I live in Michigan use the RODI water to fill our humidifiers. No scale build up on the filters or machine. Very dry running forced air heat in the winter.

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

We need details on your set up, how much is water where you live? how high are the TDS at the tap? How much water you need a month. Even buying a RO/DI machine there is another learning curve and cost. Do you know your water pressure at the hose fitting?
I bounce back in forth on buying and making my own. I have two really good stores 60 miles away and they sell RO/DI and they have line there every weekend with people buying their water and this is a really good store with lots of enthusiasts going there.
One way or another it is going to cost you, I remember a quote " If you cannot afford the water get out of the hobby" I bought water for over 15 years and now I have a machine.

 

[a4edwin]

I quickly invested in an RODI when I got back into the hobby again with a Nuvo10. I thought I would last longer than I did buying distilled water by the gallon.

Then when things got rolling, I realized I hadn’t factored in top off water, mixing fresh SW to dip coral, running a small quarantine tank, storing a bunch of gallon jugs, etc....

One night two months in, my ATO alarm started going off and I realized I had no water. I had to run out to the supermarket at midnight in below zero weather. Ordered a BRS unit the next day.

The short version is you will use more more water than what you are changing weekly, and it’s much more convenient and cost effective to have it handy. This on top of the other good reasons already posted in his thread....

This is so true! i go thru 1-2 gallons a week evaporating on my 36 bow front. Went to Home Depot bought a 20 g brute and a 4 stage ro/di from brs best investment.

 

[Terri Caton]

Doesn't everything homemade taste better?

 

[Fishtankssuck]

We need details on your set up, how much is water where you live? how high are the TDS at the tap? How much water you need a month. Even buying a RO/DI machine there is another learning curve and cost. Do you know your water pressure at the hose fitting?
I bounce back in forth on buying and making my own. I have two really good stores 60 miles away and they sell RO/DI and they have line there every weekend with people buying their water and this is a really good store with lots of enthusiasts going there.
One way or another it is going to cost you, I remember a quote " If you cannot afford the water get out of the hobby" I bought water for over 15 years and now I have a machine.

I did the math and I go to my lfs enough that it’s not a hassle for me to get water. I usually pay 1$ per gallon and pick up 5-10 g of salt per week. I only have a 37 cube so I’ll be alright with my stores water.

 

[Bob Weigant]

I use water from my LFS. Never had an issue. I do mix my own salt