tap water filter????

puffy · 04-25-2003, 07:43 AM

I just purchased a tap water filter wich makes deionized water for the aquarium. I was just wondering if anyone knows anything about these or also uses one.. I was just curious if theres is something else i should add to the water during water changes or any other tips or info someone may have... Thanks..
Puffy

thefatman · 04-25-2003, 08:22 AM

hmm i think i know what you bought. i jsut had a thread about these a week ago. was it in a white cardboard box, with blue lettering labeled simply tap water filter.

and stating to make DI water safe for fw and sw fish? roughly 50 or 60 bucks?

if so, you may want to consider also getting an RO unit i nthe future. the one you got will certainnly make your water BETTER than straight tap water. you might look into picking up a TDS meter also, to see just how much it is filtering your water.

i have no comments about it's use, and whether it's good or not, as i opted to not get it. but i think i know what you are talking about. they have them at every lfs here in town.

puffy · 04-25-2003, 09:48 AM

hey thanks thefatman, yeah that is the one i bought... I would really like to get a ro unit, but the wife and i just had a baby so she def. wont let me spend the dough..... so i fig. this would be better than nothing.,saw your pics, pretty nice setup dude. I did the same thing you did with the pvc and power head.....thanks for the idea..my next plan is to build a mudfilter....
puffy

Doug1 · 04-25-2003, 09:54 AM

Puffy what you have is a deionizing filter, similar to whats used after the Reverse Osmosis stage. The DI removes most of the crud from the water but when treating straight tap water the life span is somewhat limited. Using it after an RO unit get the last little bit outta the water and increases the life of the cartidge substantailly. I use 2 of them chained behind my 24gpd Kent 3 stage RO and I keep up with a 75g tank

Prismaco · 04-25-2003, 10:27 AM

I add drops to mine...its been working for me...

-Paul

thefatman · 04-25-2003, 11:17 AM

drops fooey..drops made my skimmer act like it's on crack

Prismaco · 04-25-2003, 11:22 AM

what drops did you use ?

-Paul

thefatman · 04-25-2003, 12:35 PM

tetra aquasafe

even after a 10% water change today, my skimmer is still outputting a gallon an hour in runof water...

the skimemr looks as though i filled my tank with dishsoap. it's just not stop foam. still after all these days!

Prismaco · 04-25-2003, 01:10 PM

Im using Stress and its working great for me...Hey Jay I was going to get that skimmer like yours but came across a Berlin Classic w/pump on ebay for $50...

-Paul

thefatman · 04-25-2003, 01:14 PM

grrrrrrrrr

why cant "i" ever find cheap deals!!! well maybe tomorrow!!

Jimmer · 04-25-2003, 02:05 PM

Jay, not to post waaaaaaay off topic or rub cheap deals in but.........Looks like I'm gonna score a complete ABS hood 4x96W PC w/ fan dual ballasts blah, blah, blah for 275.00 and not the almost 500.00 it normally costs.

Just gotta make sure it fits right on my tank.

On topic now...I've used drops for tap water conditioning for 2 yrs and never had a prob. Might be because the water for the area I live in is supplied by natural springs.

David Grigor · 04-25-2003, 05:46 PM

I certainly understand the motive. We have a 8 month old and the reef budget shrivelled quite a bit. However, this is one of those things they may seem like a cheap alternative at face value but really is more expensive.

I used them for quite a while years ago when living in an apartment. Better than nothing for sure but even in just as little as 6 months ( depending on water usage ) of use a decent RO unit will have paid for itself.

I went through about 2 cartridges a month with my 90g tank back then which equaled at least $30 a month. You can get a pretty nice RO/DI unit for $150 ( For example: http://www.airwaterice.com Typhoon model RO/DI unit. )

So may want to rethink it.

Since you already have the unit go ahead and use the cartridge use to find out how long it will last then do the numbers of how quick a RO/DI unit will pay for itself......

David Grigor · 04-25-2003, 05:52 PM

Jimmer, Usually on used lighting I always figure in the cost of bulbs regardless of what the seller says. Since you can't tell by looking you would never know. Expect the bulbs to last 10months regardless of what manufacturer may tell you. So if you run the numbers 275 + new bulbs ( 4X $35 ) you really better off buying the new one for $500. Unless your buying from a friend and know exactly what your getting. Even then pro-rate out the bulb life to see if it's a good deal or not.

Jimmer · 04-25-2003, 06:27 PM

Thx for the advice, I'm not making a final decision until he swings by with it tomorrow.

puffy · 04-25-2003, 07:30 PM

thanks guys..