Water(kinda Urgent)

[nate9]

ok i am going to start a new 20 gallon SW and my RO unit has not arrived yet so i was wondering if i could just use treated tap water the first time?? also i havnt got my powerhead yet either so do i need a powerhead just to have the tank go through its cycle??

thanks, nate

 

[Mr Miagi]

You can use treated tapwater. Its just not THE best option when your running a reef. If your keen to cycle, use the tap water for now, and when you make your 20 gallons of RO water once the RO unit arrives, do a large water change using the RO water to replace the tap water. You will want water movement around/through the LR. Might pay to go out and buy one. If you can wait until everything arrices, it might make things easier and cheaper in the long run.

 

[nate9]

well if i dont have live rock right now then would it be ok without the powerhead

 

[Mr Miagi]

Yes, but doesnt that mean youll only have a tank, with stagnant tapwater, and sand? Your tank will cycle when youve got some die off from your LR, so id wait until ive got it (LR) before placing stagnant SW in a tank with no movement.

 

[SkiFletch]

Yes, but doesnt that mean youll only have a tank, with stagnant tapwater, and sand? Your tank will cycle when youve got some die off from your LR, so id wait until ive got it (LR) before placing stagnant SW in a tank with no movement.

Agreed

 

[Great Lakes]

Here is a situation where it would be worth the effort to go to the local grocery and purchase ro/di water for .39 a gallon.

However, with no circulation, I don't see the need to even get started.

Also, without any rock, or livestock, you are spinning your wheels. Yes, after a couple of days you will be able to have accurate stabilized readings, {with some type of circulation}, for PH, hardness, temp, etc...
But no biological conversion will be taking place.

GL

 

[SkiFletch]

*gasph* Great Lakes is back from the dead

 

[Great Lakes]

*gasph* Great Lakes is back from the dead

LOL....
Yeah, you are all gonna have to put up with me again.

 

[pleder]

*gasph* Great Lakes is back from the dead

LOL....
Yeah, you are all gonna have to put up with me again.

Welcome Home.

 

[Lynden]

I never use RO water; it is very difficult for me to get access to. I live in the rural areas of a small town and the manager at the pet store doesn't even know what Reverse Osmosis is

However, our tap water has no iron, phosphates, nitrates, nitrites or ammonia

It even has high calcium, KH, and pH.

I just use a dechlorinator on it.

It might be helpful to test the tap water.

-Lynden

P.S. It's nice to meet you, Great Lakes.
In truth, I have never seen you post before, so keep on it!

 

[SkiFletch]

I'd be more concerned about copper than the rest of those elements Everything else can be dealt with easily with commercially available filters. Copper pretty much requires RO to remove it.