chlorine water?

[Deuter]

Would my aquarium be ok if I used regular tap water from my house mixed with salt of course?

[gwen_o_lyn]

Reef tanks need the purest water you can get, and its best to use only RODI water.

You will most likely have problems if you use tap water in a reef tank- that's just a ticking time bomb.

[lillibirdy]

Most people will tell you it is a very bad bad thing. But it really does depend on your water. I knew of reefers who where doing it in my town, and having no problems, so I also use tap, (aged overnight to mix salt well), and have no problems either. I think if I didn't know, I would be more worried about it. But, there are folks who do it. Many won't answer because like many things that are considered bad form....they don't want to get nailed or thought of as an idiot dinosaur. I am getting brave by now. I even post about my reverse UGF.....lol. I have fish and mushrooms and rics, I will try it with a few more lps and picky sps frags when my lights get upgraded, and see if it is still cool, if not, I'll buy a RO/DI unit...

[Doug1]

For a fish only you can prolly get away with it, but for a reef I would recommend not using untreated tap water, muni water supplies are full of other stuff than chlorine, and well water is not much better, between all the chemicals muni systems use and agricultural run off you will prolly develop a nutrient problem over time if not right away.
Considering what even a decent nano costs why risk it

[Loverotties]

Test you water and see if it's OK.

[VWD]

I think that RO/DI is the only way to go on a reef tank. For one it not just the city water that I' worry about. but the pipes and the fittings. Junk that is in the pipes and all the age of them.I have copper pipes in the house.I rather spend the money and have piece of mind.

[Mr.Reef]

If you are going to use tap water, you are better off with a fresh water tank, IMO...

[110galreef]

I have had great succeses with Tap water on my reef for the past 3 years. No issues at all.

This being said however, if you have the money for RO. Do it. I would but problem for me is my tank is in my office and I usually have to top off with water form the office and lug buckets o water in from home for water changes.

I definitly agree for ~$250 to have great clean pure water it is worth the small cost in relation to the entire tank!

[skeety]

ALL very good points so far.

It comes down to this...statistically, MOST municipal water sources create water that's not good for a reef tank, and contain things that will FUEL algae outbreaks later on.

But that being said...SOME do have great water.

You probably should test your tap water for nitrates, silicates, phosphates and copper. And if possible, test for TDS (Total dissolved solids). If all are good...then you could use it.

If not, an RO/DI unit will save you lots of headaches down the road.

But as Vince stated, sometimes...it's just easier to get the unit for peace of mind. You can get some pretty decent units for ~$100.

But then again, like Steve, and quite a few others here, some HAVE been successful with just tap water. But my input on that is...while they have had luck w/out RO/DI water...I guarantee, they'd still have luck WITH one.

depends entirely on your Tap water's chemical make-up.

HTH (hope that helps)

Personally, I think it's rare