tap water

[olsaltybastard]

Keep in mind that RO water means that is has been through an RO filter. This says nothing about what remains. To give you an example, I make water with a 99% rejection rate. My RO water has a TDS of 2ppm. A machine RO unit may have a 90% rejection rate and leave a lot left over. It's not so much the numbers left over, but what compounds are left over.

[aimeereefer]

ok, thats a lot of good info. I'm curious now too if anyone can suggest a couple things. First, if I should go out and buy RO water, I'm having trouble figuring out what to transport it in. Surely i'm not taking the tank, but i don't want to have to carry 20 gallon jugs either. Then comes the question no one is going to like, if I should go with tap water (I am on a budget here) can anyone reccommend a good product to de chlorinate the water and possibly reduce phosphate levels?

[olsaltybastard]

I think you are beginning to see the importance of owning your own RO/DI filter if you want to have a successful marine aquarium; reefers on a budget are often the most frustrated reefers. Large jugs are available at WalMart or Meijer; they hold more than one gallon. Keep in mind a gallon of water weighs about 8 lbs. Don't kill your back.

I purchase dechlorinater for my fresh water tank from the LFS. This is a hair algae outbreak waiting to happen as you will most likely find out sooner than later.

[aimeereefer]

I am seeing that algea control is going to be my main concern. I will be keeping a sharp eye. Fortunately for me I read this site obsessively. We'll see how things go. Thanks. Oh and if anyone still has any product suggestions I'd be very open to hear them. I found a product called phosPure made by Drs. Foster and Smith. Its a zeolite product that claims to reduce/eliminate phosphate, arsenic, silicate, heavy metals, and ammonia. Anyone have any experience with this?

[Thomas]

You can spend the money on a RO/DI unit or spend it on all sorts of additives and chlorine removers, phosphate removers, ect. Then the algae removing products.
I think your beginning to see the picture. You will in short time see how much this costs you. Maybe the best option would be to wait until you have the funds for the RO/DI before stating out. As soon as you start having problems and start asking questions---- the first thing the moderators are going to ask is for your parameters and your water source.

[Patrick™]

I shall put it bluntly . . . These are captive marine animals, if you do not want to do it right IE RO water then do not do it at all and save the lives of the animals in your care. Yes, water is the most important part of the aquarium why skimp on it.

[olsaltybastard]

Originally Posted by aimeereefer

I am seeing that algea control is going to be my main concern. I will be keeping a sharp eye. Fortunately for me I read this site obsessively. We'll see how things go. Thanks. Oh and if anyone still has any product suggestions I'd be very open to hear them. I found a product called phosPure made by Drs. Foster and Smith. Its a zeolite product that claims to reduce/eliminate phosphate, arsenic, silicate, heavy metals, and ammonia. Anyone have any experience with this?

I use a very similar product called Phosar (by Warner Marine.) This is a granular ferrous oxide in which is either placed into a filter bag or into "phosphate reactor" (fancy name for more support equipment.) It can do a lot of good if you are dealing with phosphates which come from a variety of sources. Keep in mind that this stuff does absolutely nothing to reduce silicates.


If there was a miracle additive that was going to solve all of your issues, I would have mentioned it to you. I'm giving you advice based upon years and years of experience and even more wasted dollars. There are no products available that are going to make up for poor water quality; NONE!! There is an awful lot of crap out there that will separate you from your hard earned money and nothing more. If you don't start off with the best water available, you will forever be attempting the impossible; adding crap in a useless attempt to correct the issue.

[dillan 2020]

AQUA-SAFE AQUARIUM II REVERSE OSMOSIS WATER FILTER - eBay (item 150203527318 end time Jan-12-08 20:00:00 PST) new ro filter buy it now price was $80 can't get much better that and if you don't have $80 you probably shouldn't be starting a reef tank

[aimeereefer]

Ok, so you guys have done an excellent job of discouraging the budget marine aquarium haha. So, in any case its come down now to buying RO or buying a filter. I must admit that at this point it may be better for me to buy water, but if I should buy a filter, i'm wondering if anyone has experience with this filter previously mentioned.

[ChuckG]

Generally, you get what you pay for.

Check this thread out: http://www.reefaquariumguide.com/for...tml#post813558

I would recommend that you contact Russ as well.