Tap water

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evil_ryu

Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Joined
Apr 10, 2009
Messages
17
Location
907 ak
Yes I know its a no no and the best route is to get an ro/di unit. I haven't tested my water with a tds meter not sure were to get one. But I tested my water out of the faucet I get 0 nitrate 0 nitrite 0 ammonia. Would you still not use tap water or would I be safe and just get some water conditioner
 
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It's is phosphates you want to worry about from tap water


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Yes I know its a no no and the best route is to get an ro/di unit. I haven't tested my water with a tds meter not sure were to get one. But I tested my water out of the faucet I get 0 nitrate 0 nitrite 0 ammonia. Would u still not use tap water or would I be safe and just get some water conditioner

TDS Meter's are very easy to come by online, and they are not to terribly expensive.

However, an RO unit is by far the best way to go, I suggest getting an RO unit not only for your initial tank fill, but for all water changes, and top offs as well. When it comes to your tank the last thing you want to do is get it all set up, and running with fish in it, then in a few weeks do a water change, just to kill your fish! :blink:
 
It's is phosphates you want to worry about from tap water


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This was the only thing I can find but that was in 2011


Anchorage, AK
2011
Ph: 8
Nitrate: 3.0ppm
Chlorine (and variants): 0.91ppm
Flouride: 1.18ppm
Phosphate: Unknown
Sulfate: Unknown
Lead: 2.44ppb
 
you need a test kit to test for phosphate .
it would be safer just to use distilled water till you can get a RO/DI unit
Like Matt said why risk adding fish to see something bad come about .
your spending all that money building up your tank why risk screwing it all up with tap water . I did that very same thing with my first tank and lost some costly fish , it's not worth the risk considering 79cents a gal for distilled is a small cost to be sure the fish are safe , Most of the nicer salt water fish are in the $50 range
 
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The bigger concern with tap water are the unknowns, like the heavy metals, and things out into the water that are good for us and not so much for fish, like the fluoride you mentioned.


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you need a test kit to test for phosphate .
it would be safer just to use distilled water till you can get a RO/DI unit
Like Matt said why risk adding fish to see something bad come about .
your spending all that money building up your tank why risk screwing it all up with tap water . I did that very same thing with my first tank and lost some costly fish , it's not worth the risk considering 79cents a gal for distilled is a small cost to be sure the fish are safe , Most of the nicer salt water fish are in the $50 range


Is this a good unit I didn't get the di for it

p-85957-70465K-fish.jpg
 
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