Tap water, primed for first fill?

cmacld · #1 12/20/2007, 06:05 PM

I just bought a 180 gallon tank. I was wondering if anyone had used tap water to fill the tank and then dosed it with a clorine remover (prime). I was wondering because it sure would be faster than trying to fill with my ro unit, as well as conserve some water. Any thoughts would be greatly appriciated. thanks

bertoni · #2 12/20/2007, 06:18 PM

Lots of people use tapwater. It can cause problems, though, and its quality can vary from day to day, so I use RO/DI water.

azrednex · #3 12/20/2007, 06:23 PM

Depending on where in Colorado you are your tap might be good.
What is the TDS going into your RO/DI system?

cmacld · #4 12/20/2007, 06:35 PM

i dont have a tds meter. but i did have a friend check it at one point in time and i remember it being very good water. Ill have to see if i can find a tds meter again. Cheers

ezcompany · #5 12/20/2007, 07:38 PM

very good water is still nothing compared to ro/di water

cmacld · #6 12/20/2007, 08:15 PM

fair enough

demonsp · #7 12/20/2007, 09:16 PM

If you ever have a problem it sure is great to rule the water source out.

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/water4maruse.htm

http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/sta...opmistakes.htm

Bri Guy · #8 12/21/2007, 01:41 AM

Starting a new tank CAN have algae blooms, starting with tap WILL ensure that!

Choose your own fate.

bmk · #9 12/21/2007, 03:00 AM

Hi
If it's a new tank and you have a ro unit then what is the rush to fill it. If you start with ro water then you know you have given the tank the best posssible start.

Barry

ps Merry Christmas everyone.

cmacld · #10 12/21/2007, 03:18 AM

Very good points here. Thanks for all the input. i will take the time, guess i was just trying to get a jump start as i have to leave town after the first...you would think after a couple of years of reefin i would have learned the whole, stand by to stand by routine =). Cheers, Chad

Randy Holmes-Farley · #11 12/21/2007, 08:33 AM

This article details my concerns with tap water:

Tap Water in Reef Aquaria
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2004/chem.htm

jerryz · #12 12/21/2007, 09:19 AM

If you have uncured rock then tap water is perfect there's no real upside to RO/DI for uncured live rock. You'll have a very long time and multiple large water changes to get the water quality where it should be so hook the hose up and let it go. Now if you are using cured live rock ignore all of the above commentary.

Randy Holmes-Farley · #13 12/21/2007, 09:52 AM

If the tap water is loaded with copper, then the rock may become contaminated.