very very new at this

[l_vert]

I am very, very excited to say I am finally ready to start my tank. I did have a freshwater tank for many years when my children where still at home but have always wanted a saltwater tank. I have been buying my equipment bit by bit and have finally got my perfect spot where I want to set up my saltwater tank. My question is (I am sure the first of many) I live on a farm and have well water, there is no chlorine in our water do you think I could use it for my tank or is there just to many other things I also have to worry about with well water. I love this site so much great information on it

 

[Joe Fish]

I wouldn't trust well water for a tank, but you could always get it checked for what else it might have in it. Did you use the well water for your freshwater tank?

 

[l_vert]

yes i did use my well water and never had any problems with the fish at all

 

[Plee_cO]

I dont know where you live but some places have incredibly clean well water so if you live in montana give it a shot, detroit...not so much lol

 

[Airborneguy]

See if you can get a test for phosphates, or get an RO/DI filter which you can hook up under the sink. With that, you'll be fine. If your well water is clear of phosphates, you should be fine, otherwise you will be fighting algae constantly. Also, I'm sure if this is a concern with well water, but copper will be a killer in your tank if its in the water.

 

[tom91970]

Do you live in an area where there is a lot of farming? Fertlizers will leach through the soil and will be in the water. You need to check for ammonia, phosphates, etc.

 

[Airborneguy]

Good point, didn't think of that. Definitely killer chemicals which may be in there. Does your well have a filter system before it comes out of the pipes?

Hey, if you end up with all dead corals, you can enter them in the Coral contest for POTM!

 

[Joe Fish]

Personally, I wouldn't take the chance. A saltwater tank can be very expensive and I'd hate to see it crash because of the water you used....

 

[Plee_cO]

lol yeh not gonna lie, your better off using r/o water that you can buy at an lfs

 

[TRe]

invest $100 into an r/o unit and call it a day btw welcome to MFT!

 

[zoalover34]

I have well water also.. Our's is so bad even tho i bought a RO unit it was burning up the filters at 90! It would be way to expensive for me to keep replacing filters so i just buy my water from a machine.. It's not the best quality of water but it works! I have some bubble algae issues but nothing i can't live with!

 

[Lorna]

I too have a well and wouldn't use the water without running it through the ro/di filter first. Before I had the ro unit I would go and buy my water at the grocery store in the fill it yourself kiosks. I think I was paying .25 cents a gallon which wasn't too bad. But with my 75 and 29 it was getting expensive so I bought an ro system which you can buy for a reasonable price.....

 

[l_vert]

thanks for all the info. i think i will check out a r/o unit and also do some testing on my water i guess i have been waiting and collecting all my equipment this long a little longer will not matter. I do live in a farming area but in this area the wells are so deep (about 500ft) so cemicals should not be an issue. Hopefully soon i will post again anouncing the start up of my tank
Thanks again