Rain Water for a Reef Tank?

[jerseyguy1996]

It's pouring down rain here in Jersey and it just happens that I am also trying to make lots of RO/DI water so that I can finally set my 50 back up. Watching all of the waste water from my RO/DI filter going down the drain, and seeing all of the rain water flowing down the gutters got me thinking whether or not anyone had ever collected rain water to use in their tanks. I mean wouldn't it be like mother natures best distilled water? Or is there just too many pollutants in the air dissolving into the water before it hits the ground?

[fox2589]

i have heard of this before..but im pretty sure there are lots of pollutants and possibly chemicals in rain water..-drew

[WayneT]

Considering that the water coming off your house is normaly flowing over a roof full of tar based shingles and you also have to consider all the birds that may hpappen to fly over I would be a little lery of using it.

[Brocnizer]

Rain has been known to destroy forests due to pollutants

You are in one of the most polluted states in the country. I would not use the rain water.

Remember NJ famous state motto "NJ: Whats that smell?"

Obviously that is for the north NJ area around Elizabeth/Jersey City :-)

[Staplesofficewar]

I would say no...acid rain...you might be able to filter the chemicals, but it could mess up your membrane.

[fchidsey]

I'll stick with no, I would not want to take the chance with the water.

Here is something to consider. think about all of the runoff from land and how it is affecting the coral reefs around the world. I know we are only talking about rain water from the roof but we are also talking about a closed system.

[Loverotties]

Would you drink it?And you want to use it for your tank?Yikes!

[ibanez2k]

Well, I guess technically you could use it if you got an RO/DI unit and ran the rain water through that first. Odds are the rain water is not cleaner than your tap water though so you probably wouldn't get any more life out of your RO/DI unit that way anyways.

[jerseyguy1996]

Guys I wasn't talking about collecting the run off from my roof. I was talking about collecting the water in a CLEAN bucket or tarp and then using it. But I think you guys probably have it right that pollutants will be dissolving into the water droplets from the time it forms in the clouds as a nice pure bit of water surrounding a dust particle nucleous to the time it hits the ground. I guess I will have to put my other plan into action. Collect the rejection water from the RO/DI filter and use it to flush my toilets.

[Frank-n-Tank]

i think a test would need to be in order, seen outdoor reef/mangrove tanks, brakish, with fish, I work in the rain all the time, plus survival calls to evap water and collect thre vapor,.........but I tend to be the guy that says let it ride