Nano FOWLR, tap or distilled?

stagger19

stagger19

Small Fish
#1
Apr 23, 2005
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#1
Hi, Im doing a lot of research before I set up my 12 gal nano FOWLR.

My question is, should I use my tap water for this (naturally I would treat it for chlorine, age it and get the salinity correct) or should I use distilled water, either bottled from the supermarket or a brita type filter?

Thanks in advance..............
 

lordroad

lordroad

Large Fish
#2
Sep 2, 2004
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Shelby, NC
www.joshday.com
#2
Hmmm, I'd go with distilled. But first contact your water company or track down their website, if they have one. You can find out how much phosphate or nitrates or other junk is in your water. If your tap water is good, you may be able to use that, which makes things hella easier.

A brita filter would only remove the chlorine as its filtration is activated carbon. You can buy gallons of distilled pretty cheap. Same with reverse osmosis.

In my experience, my Instant ocean powder keeps my pH steady at 8.4, so I don't need buffer, even though my R/o water is right at 6 pH.
 

stagger19

stagger19

Small Fish
#3
Apr 23, 2005
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#3
I just checked my water report online and found in the test hightest level found was 3.8 PPM, is this too high for Salt?

Nitrate ppm Yes 10 10 ND-3.8 3.8
Runoff from fertilizer use; Industrial or domestic wastewater discharges;
 

G

Grymatta

Large Fish
#6
May 16, 2005
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#6
i cant seem to find an RO water at my supermarkets..is this a regional thing? I live in NYC area...I dont think I've ever seen a grocery place with a RO unit...

also, I heard that sometimes distilled or purified water has no minerals or elements in it that fish need. Does Instant Ocean salt mix put all that back in?
 

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G

Grymatta

Large Fish
#7
May 16, 2005
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#7
well I managed to find a grocery store that sells RO water for $1 a gallon. Now I have to make like 6 trips to carry back enough water for a 12 gallon tank. At least I'll get a good workout..

Do most ppl use Instant Ocean salt mix? I saw one called Reef Crystals (made by the same company as Instant Ocean) which is supposed to contain trace elements AND neutral hvy metals in tap water. Has anyone used Reef Crystals before?
 

G

Grymatta

Large Fish
#9
May 16, 2005
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#9
dude I only have 2 arms! lol.

Supposedly, you dont need to add any trace elements or calcium or iodione, etc if you use Reef Crystals. Of course it costs a little bit more.
 

A

aresgod

Superstar Fish
#11
Jan 14, 2004
1,987
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Visit site
#11
yea I would just go down to the grocery store and buy a 5 gallon jug of water, use it, then refill it, I use Reef Crystals, I havent noticed a huge difference between that and regular instant ocean, although I don't really add any additives and all my corals are thriving so maybe it is doing something.
 

G

Grymatta

Large Fish
#12
May 16, 2005
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#12
Camaro,

Yeah I am walking!! Its about a 5 min walk to the store each way. I live in Brooklyn, NY. so lots of ppl dont have cars. The things I do for my fish and corals!

hmm thanks for the info Aresgod..maybe I'll use Reef Crystals instead of IO..
 

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G

Grymatta

Large Fish
#16
May 16, 2005
439
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#16
yeah maybe i can try "borrowing" some carts but um..these Brooklyn bums are kinda tough! :)

True..its just the intial setup thats gonna be a pain..after that it should be ok.

i think the 3.8 ppm was from someone else's post...I havent tested my phosphates yet..I'm assuming RO water has none?
 

G

Grymatta

Large Fish
#19
May 16, 2005
439
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#19
Hey..I was reading in another forum that said you can do your initial SW fill with tapwater. Just treat it to remove cholrine, ammonia, and hvy metals. And then use RO water for WC afterwards.

Is there any truth to this? Has anyone tried it before?
 

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