Roof Water ;d

[demonmagus]

Hi, just wandering if water collected in a water butt is good enough for a marine tank, problem is that getting an RO unit would be hassle for me (don't ask why, cbb to explain <.<) and the main reason I would have wanted one is because of copper and phosphate, I appreciate that rain isn't H20 but surely if I run it through filters to remove nitrite/nitrate/ammonia and phosphate remover (which'll be in the tank anyways) it should be alright? right or wrong

 

[Musho3210]

i wouldnt, just run your tap through a carbon if you cant get an RO, you could get a DI but the cost in the end will be more than an RO

 

[xxBarneyxx]

The problems I can think of are that if you live in a built up area it could contain lots of nasty contaminents. Also you would need to make sure that the collection surface was clean and rain water is not very consistant in terms of general hardness, PH etc as far as I know and can contain traces of heavy metals, pestisides, etc.

Personally I wouldnt risk it. I do know many people that do use it in freshwater tanks though.

 

[demonmagus]

like I said, copper is my main worry, wouldn't filtering remove most of these 'nasties'?

 

[Musho3210]

well, probably no, copper isnt easily removed with carbon and there can still be a small amount left. Just use tap water.....

 

[demonmagus]

I meant from the roof . Would there be copper in that? sorry lol I just want to know

 

[xxBarneyxx]

There could be and if there isnt there could be far worse in there as well which wouldnt get removed with a carbon filter.

 

[Musho3210]

yeah, your roof is probably really dirty (not your fault, i would imagine all roofs being dirty, wind is constantly blowing stuff on it, dust and other pollutants fall on it, rain washes it off but all that polutants and junk is now concentrated in the water, i wouldnt put that in your tank) i still say use tap water if you cant use RO