How's this for tap water?

[leafyseadragon]

I used tap water to fill up my tank the first time, and I got a major algae bloom. Started using RO, and the algae problem subsided.

I found a copy of the city's water report. So I would like to know: is my tap water sufficient for a FOWLR tank? I wouldn't mind having an RO system as a new toy , but if I don't really need it, I won't buy one.

NO3 avg 15 ppm range 0-29 ppm

Tot Alk (CaCO3) avg 109 ppm range 70-178 ppm

Ph avg 8 range 7.3-8.3

There were other categories, but they didn't seem relevant for fish.

 

[fishfreek]

Nitrate is a little high for my liking. Your gonna see the same kind of algae problems on a FOWLR as you did on your first tank unless you under light it.

RO units really arnt to bad. U can easily get a decent one for $150 or less.

 

[wookie903]

I just got a brand new 5 stage RO/DI unit off ebay for $98 delivered. The unit was rated at 85gpd.

 

[Reefaddict]

WOW!! A five stage unit that puts out 85gpd for only 98$...thats an insane deal, you probably saved 4-5 hundred dollars!

 

[BBReef]

how can you tell if your ro unit has a di filter? i have a 5 stage ro but am not sure if the last stage is di or not.

 

[cj10488]

I picked up my RO/DI 6 stage for 125.00 shipped off of Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20755&item=2349584392

Very nice system and comes with everything to hook it up..

HTH,
James

 

[MACATUA]

I kinda like going to the local Wal-mart and just buying jugs from their filtered water? I know I have seen some people do this, is it ok for a FOWLR tank?

 

[shawmutt]

I just have a freshwater tank, but maybe I can be helpful. Walmart near me sells ro water for 33 cents a gallon. It gets run through a bunch of tests and a UV light, and the little chart says it has 6 TDS (total dissolved solids). Not sure if that's a good reading, but I use it with a little ro right in my black water tank, and it works fine.