[DEWAYNE]

hey, is there anybody out there that has a saltwater tank using city water? I have had a large saltwater tank before, actually the same one that I am setting up. I have alway's had access to fresh well water, just curious about the city water.

[DEWAYNE]

guy's if there is anyone that can give me some advice, it would be so helpful, I have not had a saltwater tank since 2003. I am not new to the hobby, I just know how every year saltwater tank's are getting easier to setup, and there are new way's of doing thing's.............thank 's

[RyanG]

I would not use city water. Use store bought water or RO/DI filtered water. Most city water is horrible.

I suggest looking at getting a TDS meter. It measures the total dissolved solids in water, and very important in aquarium water.

[DEWAYNE]

can you purchase this meter at the pet store?

[best3175]

Where are you from. The Midwest has horrible water. Use RO water if available.

[babieswings]

You said to buy store bought water, should it be distilled or just the regular kind, does it matter?

[jtravapd]

can u get one of those filters from home depot or one of those stores?

[reefaddict]

I would get a better filter that what you can get at home depot. I have a six stage RO/DI filter system that I mounted under my utility sink. If you are going to be using city water (icky dirty) it is the only way to go and you don't have to go out to get your water. You have when you need it. I keep four 5g jugs full of clean water ready to go for top off. I used to buy my water and it was a pain. I had to go when they were open and that wasn't always convenient not to meantion the gas every few days. It has paid for itself several times over.

[baycity20]

Ask your local pet store if the water is safe and there are a lot of cheap detoxifiers that can get rid of the bad stuff I recomend AmQuil It works great.

[hondapro]

try to get ro water that allready has the salt mixed in it. best way

[blind1993]

i use city water but alphretta has one of the best water filteration and is ok to use with fish

[200g+guy]

only use city water if only way not recomended though

[bryson clark]

i use city water with ro/di for the past 2years and have not had any trouble.

[tank72]

Can you not just use a water Conditioner like AQUA SAFE?
I am try to start a salt water tank for the first time and was told by petco that salt and freshwater is about the same you just need to keep track of the salt level.

[e_baer]

well, if you use normal water from the faucet, it can contain nitrates and nitrites, also phosphates. and algae loves those things. so if you use an RO ir DI unit, it removes all of those things and makes the water pure water, and only water. so when you add salt to it, depending on what salt you use, calcium, strontium, iodine, iodide, and many ttrace elements will be added back to the water. then when you add it to your tank, it is cleansed water that is enhanced with minerals and whatnot.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

I found this filter on line while i was looking for something else(isnt that always the way?)
.Poly-Bio-Marine

[tank72]

So the tap water is or is not ok for the fish with the conditioner? Is the RO/DI water just to avoid algae.

[tank72]

I thought i lost that first post so I did this one.

Can I use tap water with the conditioner for the fish.
I am not understanding the RO/DI water is just to avoid algae?

[e_baer]

you CAN use the contitioner wiht the fish and coral, but the water quiality of the tank wont be as good. i used to use prime. sucks.

[tank72]

Ok now I understand.

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

Hey DEWAYNE: got any pics of your stuff?