Well Water for Reef Tank

Maine Reefer · Mar 29, 2018

If using well water for a reef tank really as bad as everyone says? What are some drawbacks?

Crabs McJones · Mar 29, 2018

Maine Reefer said:
If using well water for a reef tank really as bad as everyone says? What are some drawbacks?

Well water has the potential to have a lot of heavy metals from the ground in it, as well as bacteria. That is why places that have well water have to have it tested. Not sure the frequency. But I know my parents have to send in a sample to make sure that the water is safe. Best to use an ro/di unit regardless of your water source

ihavecrabs · Mar 29, 2018

I use RODI on mine. I go through DI resin like crazy but all else is fine.

My well starts at 700-800 TDS down to 11-15 TDS after RO.

Water is free though!

Jesterrace · Mar 30, 2018

Maine Reefer said:
If using well water for a reef tank really as bad as everyone says? What are some drawbacks?

How about a tank covered in green hair algae and other nasty algae that is very difficult to get rid of. Not to mention you never know what has leached into well water. Not worth it when an RODI system will keep you at zero TDS (Total Dissolved Solids).

kkeller416 · Mar 30, 2018

One issue I'm running into with my well water is pressure.. There's a performance issue with the rodi membrane if you don't have good pressure. My will pressure Go from 20psi to 50psi...according to brs the membrane needs 40-50 psi to work correctly. I'm looking to get a booster pump.
The booster pump is good because then you can install the auto flush kit.
Also, my well water has heavy iron in it so if you have a water softener installed that will help before it gets to your rodi

ihavecrabs · Mar 30, 2018

Maine Reefer said:
If using well water for a reef tank really as bad as everyone says? What are some drawbacks?

Just to confirm, you are looking to use RODI in addition to being on well water correct?

Jesterrace said:
How about a tank covered in green hair algae and other nasty algae that is very difficult to get rid of. Not to mention you never know what has leached into well water. Not worth it when an RODI system will keep you at zero TDS (Total Dissolved Solids).

I believe the OP is asking what issues you run into with Well + an RODI system.. confirming though

kkeller416 said:
One issue I'm running into with my well water is pressure.. There's a performance issue with the rodi membrane if you don't have good pressure. My will pressure Go from 20psi to 50psi...according to brs the membrane needs 40-50 psi to work correctly. I'm looking to get a booster pump.
The booster pump is good because then you can install the auto flush kit.
Also, my well water has heavy iron in it so if you have a water softener installed that will help before it gets to your rodi

Very true, I also run a booster pump on my system. I run it at 90-92 psi myself.

I also have high iron in my system. Water softener helps but I also have an iron removal system. They run around ~800 installed and only need the media changed every 5-8 years. My understanding is it is essentially a large column of GAC and air is injected so that the iron oxidizes and then is flushed out of the system and into the sump. Best thing I ever purchased after getting onto well.