Tap water or purified?

[Dawntreader2011]

I was reading a thread on another site yesterday, and someone was saying it is almost imperative to use purified water for tanks. I think it was in the saltwater section, but if so, would apply to both salt and fresh. But is it true? Does anyone here use tapwater, with proper treatments of course?

 

[skjl47]

Hello; I use tap water.

 

[Thyra]

I use our well water with no treatment. Most on this site that are on city water use it, but dechlorinate it first.

 

[Sageofstupidity]

I use tap water.

 

[Dawntreader2011]

Thanks guys. I of course use water treatment, but one day may invest in an osmosis process. For the fish AND for me.

 

[Lotus]

The problem with RO water for a freshwater tank is it doesn't have the minerals that fish need. When you use an RO unit, it removes the water's buffering capabilities and you need to add some minerals back into it or mix it with some tapwater. So, 100 percent RO water isn't a good idea for most fish unless you use an additive.

It's almost necessary for a saltwater aquarium because tapwater has phosphates and other minerals in it that cause algae blooms, but the salt mix you add puts those minerals back in.

 

[KcMopar]

I have a large R/O system with 6 stages, the first three are partial(1) and carbon(2) filters and this is where I tap off of to get water for my freshwater. This water is filtered down to a couple or few microns and the chemicals are removed but minerals are maintained so I do not need conditioner. The rest of the system is what I use for drinking and my salt tanks. This is truly the best set-up I have ever used for my tanks!!!!! I get the best of both worlds, its GREAT and I have awesome drinking water to.

 

[OrangeCones]

Dawntreader2011, is that your fish in your avatar?

 

[Lionel]

My softened RO water is for drinking. I never saw the point of treating water with such a high rejection rate just to buy minerals to put back in.

 

[OrangeCones]

Lots of reasons to use RO water and either mixing it with tab or specific minerals to get specific water parameters. But for the average fishkeeper, I agree its not needed. If just keeping fish and not trying to breed softwater species, most fish will adjust to whatever your local well/tap water is.

 

[KcMopar]

My softened RO water is for drinking. I never saw the point of treating water with such a high rejection rate just to buy minerals to put back in.

If you tap off before the r/o membrane(this is if you r/o set-up has pre-filters) you just get highly filtered water that is chlorine and chemical free (mostly anyway, depending on the pre-filters used). This way you get a great quality water and still maintain the minerals.