Tap Water in a FOWLR setup??

malawi500

Candiru
MFK Member
Sep 29, 2011
319
12
48
UK
I have just bought a complete reef setup with everything I need although I did intend using it for my freshwater fish.

I'm tempted to give marine a go but only if I can use tap water with Seachem Prime + salt? Or is it a must to use RO water?

Thanks
 

cullens089

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 9, 2007
722
0
0
Canton,Michigan
Rodi water isn't a must I've set up salt with tap water


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luv4scjjt

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 12, 2012
130
0
0
upstate ny
I also attempted to use tap water when i first started saltwater. 2000$ worth of fish in the toilet was my consequence. I now have an RO system and havent lost a fish since. RO is the safest and cheapest way to go. It's well worth the investment.
 

malawi500

Candiru
MFK Member
Sep 29, 2011
319
12
48
UK
I can't be bothered picking up the water each week and don't have the space for any more equipment.

Looks like marine is off...
 

RWaltman

Gambusia
MFK Member
Aug 19, 2009
494
1
16
Warren, PA
I also attempted to use tap water when i first started saltwater. 2000$ worth of fish in the toilet was my consequence. I now have an RO system and havent lost a fish since. RO is the safest and cheapest way to go. It's well worth the investment.
+1
 

Otherone

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 2, 2009
2,683
4
0
Lancaster,PA USA
With the obvious expections of Cholrine and Chloramine fish can handle Tapwater so long as Nitrates can be kept at 20ppm or lower - Corals + Inverts not so much as they don't do well with nitrates over 5 ppm. Problem with SW tanks and Tapwater is more or less undissolved solids that decomp + added phosphates from the tap which can cause + seriously fuel obnoxious algae + bacterica blooms. However SW fish don't handle PH swings very well so large volume w/c's isn't recommended for nitrate control.

With that said theres a million ways to skin a cat - Algae scrubbers, Cheatomorpha Fuges, Gac Reactors, GFO reacrors, Carbon P Reactors, Protien Skimming, Nitrate absorbant media, etc..... can all help purify intank water. Just gotta pick and choose your finacial battle and with from the Tap + corals it's all uphill - not really gonna be a big issue for fish.

RO/DI water is 99.8% pure h2o - A 100gal a day unit cost like $250 with no real significant increase in the water/sewer bill or electric bill incase you decide to go reef in the future.
 
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