keeping corals?

[dontknowreefs]

does anyone know if corals can survive in non-RO/DI water? i know that it's not a good idea, but i was wondering if it was possible...

[aquaman67]

It can be done. Some here use tap water. If you are not having algea problems, you should be fine.

[crzy4reefs]

i wouldn't go with out my ro/di unit JMO. just watch out for phosphates. they can be bad for your tank

[dontknowreefs]

isn't there something like a phosphate sponge or something? would that work?

[Omidon4]

I think those are just temp fixes...

[crzy4reefs]

yes i think they are only temp fixes too. but they are out there to help the problem

[psiico]

Just be sure to use RO for top offs. As the water evaporates, it'll leave behind the heavy metals and toxins and stuff. If you keep adding tapwater, eventually those levels will get too high. For water changes you're removing that stuff with the water, so tap water there isn't so bad. I use it from time to time when I'm too lazy to go out and buy some. I made a homemade filter with Phosban and carbon in a popbottle to run it through to cut down on crap in it. I don't get algae blooms, at least.

[drock59]

can anyone say ROWAPhos???

[bertoni]

I agree. Rowaphos is a fine way to remove phosphate from tap water, if needed. Just do the cost computations.

If you're using tap water, I'd recommend premixing the water, putting it in a container with a heater and a pump, and letting it sit for a few days before using it. According to some, that'll give bacteria a chance to work on any ammonia, nitrites, copper, etc.

[dontknowreefs]

thanks for the feedback. i'll try the rowaphos stuff and also premixing water. what exactly are algae blooms? i have algae, but i'm not sure what is considered "algae bloom". doesn't every tank have some bit of algae?

[drock59]

yes and an algea bloom is a sudden increase in algea bloom.

[dontknowreefs]

what about like poland spring water? i know it's not RO/DI, but does that water have lots of heavy metals and what not as well?

[bertoni]

Spring water varies with the spring. I don't know any way of being sure about water contents except testing.

[drock59]

I still think its in your best interests to take the hundred bucks you would spend on corals and by a RO/DI unit off of ebay. You wont regret it and your corals will do much better. Just my two cents.

[bertoni]

Yes, I tend to agree that RO-DI is worth the money, but some people do manage with tap water. I only use RO-DI.

[drock59]

i went without RODI water on my first 55g and it was fine. I never tried to keep any sps or anything dificult. Now that i have a bigger tank and more sps i find it invaluable.