| General Reef Discussion In this forum we discuss issues related to keeping marine and reef aquariums in a friendly flame-free environment. |
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08-04-2007, 02:22 PM
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#1
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Shark
Join Date: May 2006
Location: New York City area
Posts: 2,758
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Emergency Help
We had a horrible storm last night, which knocked out power for some time. Luckily, I had a power inverter, deep cycle battery, battery powered air pumps with back up batteries, and flashlights with back up batteries, So everything was fine and I was able to run the whole sump system off the inverter until the power came on.
However, the loss of power caused a local sewage treatment center to have raw sewage back up into our water supply because their pumps failed. We have to boil our water and you cant drink, brish you teeth, or shower with the tape water until fearther notice.
Do I have anything to worry about regarding the water entering my tank? Will the RO/ DI remove all of this stuff, or should I use distilled water for water changes and top - off? How do I know if the water is safe to put in my tank?
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J
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08-04-2007, 02:34 PM
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#2
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.
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: bend, oregon
Posts: 11,032
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geesh. That sucks. Good job on being prepared for the outage. 
I would buy water for the time being. I think you ro/di would clean it, and you could prove this w9ith a tds meter, but if there is enouogh "crap", pun intended, in the water, it may reduce the life of your filters and membrane....im not positive though.
I imagine they will get it taken care of as quickly as possible, might as well buy water in the meantime.
good luck
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I like to glue animals to rocks and put disturbing amounts of electricity and saltwater next to each other
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08-04-2007, 03:52 PM
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#3
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Dive it, now makin' it
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: North Carolina, USA
Posts: 224
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I agree with Fly. You fliter would probably filter all of it out, but only for a short time. If you think about it, your ro/di filter is used to getting fairly clean water and that is why the filters can last. If you put sewer water into it, the fliters will clog and go bad alot faster than normal. If would probably cost you more to use the ro/di filter than to just buy water until the problem is fixed and then make sure you flush your water lines very well before using tap water again.
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- George :120 gal. shallow sand reef, 160+ LR
- "J" crowd member
-FD-" the bravest", PD-"the finest", EMS-"the forgotten"!!!
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08-04-2007, 05:41 PM
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#4
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Shark
Join Date: May 2006
Location: New York City area
Posts: 2,758
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distilled water is safe?
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J
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08-04-2007, 05:44 PM
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#5
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Learn something every day
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Carson Valley Nevada
Posts: 564
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Safer than sewer water
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 Mike
VP Sierra Reefers Club
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08-04-2007, 09:49 PM
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#6
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Shark
Join Date: May 2006
Location: New York City area
Posts: 2,758
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heres a link that explains about wahts going on with the water:
http://www.unitedwater.com/uwnj/Pres...?ReleaseID=619
should I be concerned about heavy metals and toxins in the wtaer or just bacteria from poo?
Any thing to be concerned about in the water going in my tank after they say it is ok to use?
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J
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08-05-2007, 08:49 AM
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#7
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Dive it, now makin' it
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: North Carolina, USA
Posts: 224
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I still wouldnt chance it, even though they say it is ok to use it. Give it at least a couple of weeks after the problem has been fixed and everything is back to normal. Then convert back over to tap. JMO.
__________________
- George :120 gal. shallow sand reef, 160+ LR
- "J" crowd member
-FD-" the bravest", PD-"the finest", EMS-"the forgotten"!!!
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08-05-2007, 10:45 AM
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#8
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: plainsboro, new jersey
Posts: 304
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I agree w/medicdiver, it could take 2-4 weeks before water quality is acceptable. Its a PITA but purchasing distilled water or RO/DI from LFS may be safest option.
JMO
Doug
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 The solution to tank pollution is dilution.
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08-05-2007, 11:17 AM
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#9
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The Ninja MOD
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Planet P.....Why Me?
Posts: 12,586
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Good advice, Federal standards for what is acceptable for human consumption arent quite as stringent as what we deem safe for our reefs!
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If you feel so empty, so used up, so let down,
If you feel so angry, so ripped off, so stepped on,
You're not the only one refusing to back down
You're not the only one
So get up
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