Walmart Water

[jjh302]

Ok I have not gotten an RO/DI system yet so I need to buy 20 gallons from Walmart. Should I use distilled water or their drinking water which on the label it states that it is purified using reverse osmosis?

[Sniperhank]

Originally Posted by jjh302

Ok I have not gotten an RO/DI system yet so I need to buy 20 gallons from Walmart. Should I use distilled water or their drinking water which on the label it states that it is purified using reverse osmosis?

I use the distilled on my reef without major issues. It is better, but not the best like you already understand.

[jjh302]

Or would this water be better?

[jjh302]

The distilled water is .97 cents per gallon. The water filter machine of the pic I posted is .30 cents a gallon

[Sniperhank]

Is that from an in store ro/di machine? It can be better, depends on when filters and such get changed. I've heard of people being successful using them, but others that have sparked issues by being blind to filters not being changed often.

[jjh302]

It's an in store machine. Which do you think I would be better off with?

[Sniperhank]

Like stated, would depend when the filters were changed. Grabbing 20 gallons is easier. You can fit 15 easily in the bottom of a walmart cart... Not that I pay that close of attention to it...

[jjh302]

Lol. How would I test the water machine water to check the quality?

[Sniperhank]

People have tds meters in 'pen' form

[jjh302]

I apologize I am new to this. TDS meter??

[Sniperhank]

It measures total dissolved solids. For ro/di you want it to read 0. Lower is better.

[jjh302]

Will this one work or do I need something with more bells and whistles?

HM Digital TDS-3 Handheld TDS Meter With Carrying Case, 0 - 9990 ppm TDS Measurement Range, 1 ppm Resolution, +/- 2% Readout Accuracy
http://amzn.com/B000VTQM70

[Sniperhank]

You don't need to buy a tds meter when you can get it in the jugs for the time being.

[jjh302]

20 bucks a week in water is kinda expensive tho. Lol

[Sniperhank]

I am doing it as a temporary fix until I get my ro/di back up and running. I've been at it for awhile now. A necessary evil for the time being.

[lstimpy]

I use "purified" water from Publix, the local grocery. It runs me 64 cents a gallon, works perfectly. I can't wait to buy my own RODI, but had to buy new led lights, a few new fish, etc. ate up my budget.