Water Change for a newby...

[dcontes77]

Hi Guys,

It is my first post, and I have to say this web site is cool!
Alright, I just bought a 45 G tank and I want to put fowlr.
At my lfs they told me that I should buy their water to set up my tank. (fine)... But later I will have to do water change for maintenance: can I use tap water and add chemical in it? or should I go and buy their water everyweek?

Thank you

Damien

[jamal-188]

Welcome to AA

I used tap water with a conditioner to take care of chlorine/metals etc.. for a while until I could not get rid of my algae problems due to all the junk in the water. I finally broke down and got a RO/DI unit, I'd recommend one if you are going to be in this hobby for the long run. Wal-mart and other places sell RO water but over time it will just add up to the price of a RO unit anyway and you have to worry about lugging water home all the time. If you have the money go w/ a RO unit, if not I'd recommend buying water and only using tap water conditioner as the last option.

HTH

[dcontes77]

Thank you that helps a lot.
Do you know which brand should I use to condition my water?
Also how much a RO/DI cost, which one should I go with?
Thanks!

[jamal-188]

I think wal-mart charges around $.33 a gallon for RO water. I used biosafe from marineland as tap water conditioner but there are a ton of different brands available.

RO units vary in price, you can check the sponsors forum, I think captivereefs is still running a special to members. I got mine of ebay for a little over 100 but I can't seem to get it to stop leaking, should have known the price was too good.

[dcontes77]

Thanks!!
Yep I think I will wait a little bit before buying a RO. I'll buy water from lfs!

[reefrunner69]

If purchasing your water from the LFS or Walmart, or wherever you should spot check the water for nitrate, PO4, ammonia, nitrite, copper and anything else you have a kit for regularly.

[mrmarine]

we just go out and buy water from walmart for .25 a gallon and thats working fine until i get my ro/di unit i just dont buy my lfs's water. but thats just me
Mr. Marine