New tank & well water. What cautions?

[austinsdad]

Setting up a new tank at a friend's. She's got well water. What do we look for for potential problems? Phosphates? Metals? What? She's going reef.

She understands that an RO/DI might be in her future.

 

[Hara]

every well is different, without testing, it is hard to say. I am on a well, but use ro/di water.

 

[Devilishturtles]

I use well water and skim. No problems what so ever. But agree with Hara. She should know how bad or good the water is, generally. I think with a good skimmer, well water is just fine.

 

[melosu58]

Not all but alot of wells are high in metals. I would play it safe and get an RO/DI or at the least have her water tested.

 

[austinsdad]

So, RO/DI will solve most well water issues?

What am I testing for? Phosphate, ammonia, nitrate? Anything else?

 

[melosu58]

You can test also but I was thinking about sending a water sample to one of these companies that will test your water and give you a readout of everything in your water

 

[afishyonados]

Find someone with a TDS meter. Run all other tests at your disposal. If the Total Dissolved Solids are above 20, you may need to implement a R/O filter. If you are reading any phosphates or nitrates ( possible,especially if she's on old farm land) R/O is the key.

 

[austinsdad]

I'm thinking...or hoping that an RO/DI will solve all the problems. We tested a few this morning. Got .75 on the ammonia. Wow! No trates, and Ph at 7.8. Haven't done the phosphate yet.

Even still, will the RO/DI solve all those issues? Potential phosphate, TDS, metals, and that doggone ammonia?

She never drinks it anyway. Now, she saids she knows why.

 

[Hara]

RO/DI will fix all those problems you mention.

 

[afishyonados]

Get her an R/O with a bladder kit for drinking water as well.

 

[austinsdad]

The ro/di just moved up to #1 on her list of things to buy. Bladder kit. Drinking water too. Hmmm.

Thanks all!!!

 

[melosu58]

RO/DI is the way to go. As Mrs Hara said it will take care of all problems

 

[roka64]

RO/DI is the way to go. As Mrs Hara said it will take care of all problems

I agree. I have well water, but have no problems....yet. Can the LFS test for the important things, like copper and such?