Tap Water....

[Bill M.]

So I have been reading around and I have read that tap is horrible for SW tanks.... well I didnt know that and filled er up with tap. There's nothing in there except LR and LS, so I figure I'll be okay for now and when its time to do the massive WC post cycle I can replace with RO water.... good idea? Do any of you guys and gals use tap?? Any bad effects?:4:

[Dave66]

Yeah I use tap. I push it through eight banks of RO/DI. Comes out 8.0 and pure.

Dave

[Bill M.]

I meant straight into the tank.....

[cocoa_pleco]

i actually just use tap and it works fine

[Dave66]

I meant straight into the tank.....

Was just a small joke, Bill. No marine reef aquarist I know (and I know dozens of them) use straight tap. The toxins accumilate over time and eventually poison livestock.

Dave

[Bill M.]

Damn it......

*shoots self in head*

[Dave66]

Its OK, Bill. Live and learn. Only reason I know about the toxins is it happend to me in the mid-80's. Investing in a good RO unit would really help you. Mixing and make-up water = no toxins.
If you want to know what brand I use, PM me.

Dave

[Fishguy2727]

What toxins?

It depends on the tap. Some is fine, from what I have heard the usualy problem is nitrates and phosphates causing algae problems.

[2manyfish]

I use tap water. If I was keeping a SPS reef or trying to raise saltwater fry I would definitely use RO water.

When I had my reef, using tap water never seemed to bother any of the corals I had which were mainly softies, BTA anemones, and a colony of porites. Didn't bother the clams either. Everything grew or spread, BUT, the reef only lasted for about 4 years before the hurricanes wiped it out. So there is always the chance that the tank could have crashed later on down the line.

Right now I only have a FOWLR tank but if I start up another nano I won't hesitate to use my tap water.

Just my 2¢

[CAF]

I think it really depends on what is in your Tap... I use RO for refills and RO mixed to salt for WCs... Remember just because you have evaporation does not mean to refill with Salt!!! You will eventually raise the salinity far above normal parameters and kill everything

[Bill M.]

Yes, I knew that. lol thats why I researched before I set my tank up. For evap fills, use freshwater. For refils from wc, add salt water matching the salinity of the tank....

[CAF]

Got to make sure. Its no fun explaining why someone's fish is all dried up while they are still wet... (just kidding but you get my point...)

[Kuli_Loach]

I use tap with no problems what so ever, all my fish do fine and all my numbers are fine.