RO/DI needed for reef?

I was just in my pet store and asking about a filter for water becasue i am going to start putting in soft corals. the shop owner told me that he just uses a regular tap water filter that filters out heavy minerals, clorine and alge producing bacteria. this filter is only 50 bucks and much cheaper than the 200 for an RO/DI.. i realize that most would stil use the RO/DI, but is it necessary?

 

It all depends on the quality of your local water. Without knowing the contimainants and total dissolved solids it is tiugh to say. RO/DI water treatments are the best for the worst water. Pretty much covers all kinds of water.

 

The thing about local water is that one day it may read 50 TDS and the next read 800 TDS.
You can get a 5 stage RO/DI filter for 125 buck or so.
I think it is a no brainer that an RO/DI unit is necessary for the aquarium.
Using my RO/DI water puts my mind at ease and who among us likes to gamble with the fish and corals lives when we have so much invested in them.
If you don't use RO/DI water you are just gambling that your tank will be ok.

Craig could find the room if he really wanted to.
Air water and ice has the TDS meter for 25 bucks I think. I will look around if you still want one craig. It is free if you buy the typhoon III. you should have bid on that unit Craig.

 

[quote author=Nautilus link=board=Water;num=1076192297;start=0#2 date=02/07/04 at 18:09:07].
I think it is a no brainer that an RO/DI unit is necessary for the aquarium.
Using my RO/DI water puts my mind at ease and who among us likes to gamble with the fish and corals lives when we have so much invested in them.
If you don't use RO/DI water you are just gambling that your tank will be ok.

Craig could find the room if he really wanted to.
Air water and ice has the TDS meter for 25 bucks I think. I will look around if you still want one craig. It is free if you buy the typhoon III. you should have bid on that unit Craig.[/quote]

Man do I feel picked on Dave :'(. Where would you suggest I put it? It freezes here so no go in the garage, no room in the landry room under the stairs, and no room upstairs near the fish tanks.

 

I better get Karma for this.

OK to help Craig and others, here is my suggestion when you think you have no space left.
Most kitchens (most) have wasted space in the corners where the cabinets meet. The counter top covers it and you don't realize that this space that can be used.
From the sink side cut a square out and remove. If you are handy make the cut out into a door of some kind.

Place the RO/DI unit in there and hook up the connections to the cold water pipe and drain pipe.
Now drill through the wall and feed the water line through that.
Either cover the line or tack it on top of the base boards to the tank.
Any questions?

 

And you could even hang it on the back of your tank stand and drop a feed line to it from a bathroom.

 

That's a great way. Nice drawing too.

As a renter I used to just use the quick connect to hook up to the sink faucett then when I was done I would store it in a cabinet. FYI.

 

That is a good one Matt. I just don't see every square inch of Craig's house covered with something that he could not find a place to put a unit up.

 

Good looking out Dave !
I like your solution for the renters out there Matt.you could make a simple bracket and hang it off the front of the sink

 

I'm waiting for the tests from my water company and if warranted will work on a nook and cranny design.