nitrate help again...

[systemfan15]

Ok, i use tap water in my aquarium, and I tested the water for nitrate and there are no traces of nitrate...but my aquarium has alot of nitrate...i use dechlor to remove chorine and chloromine also....is it time to get an ro/di or is my tap water all right? Also, should I not be testing for the nitrate in the tap water and be testing for ammonia? Any help would be appreciated thanks...

[Fatman]

Thats not such a good idea, nitrate and chlorine arent the only problems with tap water. Copper (killer to invertebrates) , phosphates, and many other things that are not healthy to a reef are in tap water that you would not like in there. I recommend R/o right away, at the least distelled drinking water.

[graphixx]

I would get a RODI it will improve the health of the tank ten fold!!! they will pay for themselves in a year. one of the best investments I have made for my tanks.

[jerryc]

:yeahthat:

[at]

I have only had a reef tank for a year or so but I have to agree with the fatman and the rocky mountain reefer.

[carpenterwrasse]

I have been useing "aged" tap water for my tank for years as a top off and water changes with no problems....Recently I have been getting ro water from the local food store for my water changes...well bad news I lost my butterfly and some of the other fish look like they are getting ich any ideas if there is a connection?

[KG]

I just want to say that not all tap water is created equal which explains why one person can use it with no problem and others can never seem to get anything to grow. Here's an article on what's in "your" water. Also, there's this common misconception that RO/DI is somehow better than distilled. It's not. Distilled is the best but is also the most expensive. You can always purchase water from a water dispensing machine (like Culligan) at most WalMarts for about half water distilled costs. Good luck!

KG

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2004/chem.htm

[davejnz]

I agree,all tap water is different.I have a TDS reading of 135ppm coming from my tap.When i used to live 5 miles south of my current location,the water was horrible.It tested at 320ppm.As for distilled being better than RO/DI,i can't agree with that statement.You can't get any purepr than a 0ppm TDS reading which is what my RO/DI gives