[bbleifus]

I am confused. I have been reading and talking to my lfs. The books say to use DO water and mix that with salt and that ocean water has a lot of disadvantages. One store says salt water is the best. The other store says just us tap water and use additives to get rid of the clorine. Water filter systems are expensive to buy. Can one use distilled water and mix the salt yourself or is ocean water okay.

[glampka]

Ideally you want to use RO/DI water for your tank. If you can't get that you could use distilled. You should NOT use tap water. It will only cause you problems. If you are looking for a RO/DI unit, try www.airwaterice.com Products and answers for your water treatment needs.. They have a unit called MightyMite for $99.

[bbleifus]

I did a search for the MightyMite on the site and did not find anything. Can you give more information on the MightyMite

[darkwolf29a]

Mighty Mite, I hope

Hopefully, this works for you.

Currently, I have a Brita that I'm using for my FW tank. I'm thinking of using both that and this in conjunction with each other, just cuz I have the Brita already. I have heard bad things about the Brita, but stuff I read says it should work, so I don't know...I just know I don't want to take any chances.

[bbleifus]

Thanks for the info. Does anyone know if this unit wastes alot of water in the process of filtering. I live in Southern California and it sounds silly but the water bill can get alittle high if you do not watch what you consume.

[glampka]

RO units by their very nature waste water. Best to check weith the manufacturer for the exact waste to clean water ratio.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

http://www.livestockusa.org/index.html.......Here is a web site that will discribe how to build an r/o unit for about 45$ complete. I have seen in many places on the web that 95% of the fish in the world can live in 95% of the tap water in the world once the chlorine is removed.This unit will remove all the chlorine and amonia,almost all the metal and some of silicates.I have been using it in one salt water and two fresh water tanks for a long time with no problems.

[darkwolf29a]

Now, that is cool Native. I may have to try that one.

[bbleifus]

To make this filter can you use the carbon from the local fish store? If not where can it be bought? Also where can the Chemi-pure type polymer pad be purchased?

[NATIVEVAMAN]

You can get the poly pads and carbon at the lfs. I use three cirgular pads of polymer and about 1.5 pounds of carbon.All together its about 24$'s.