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| 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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07-01-2006, 11:40 AM
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#1
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Reef Addict
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Menomonie, WI
Posts: 1,372
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Using distilled water
Has anyone used distilled water for their tanks?
My dilemma is...
the lfs that I normally get fresh water at (which is 30 miles away) never has more than 3 gallons when I go there. 3 gallons of fresh water isn't enough for both my tanks. I cannot afford to invest in an ro system.
I read that distilled water is pure water from steaming/evaporation which in turns leaves the impurities behind and gives you the pure water. This should be safe to use in a tank, correct?
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__________________
Reefkeeping is an Addiction not a hobby!
~*~*Sheli Jo~*~*
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07-01-2006, 11:43 AM
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#2
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Alexandria, VA
Posts: 76
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Hi,
You might also try those water machines at the supermarket. Supposedly they use the same sort of filtration that would be in an RO/DI system. Check it out..
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07-01-2006, 12:31 PM
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#3
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The Bitter Mod
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 5,586
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Yes, distilled water is fine. The only problem with grocery store ro/di water is you don't know how often the filters are changed. You could always take a TDS meter with you and check the levels.
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07-01-2006, 12:35 PM
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#4
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BIG SMELLY MOD
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Denham Springs, LA
Posts: 18,739
Reviews: 21
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Funny that they only have 3 gallons, Yes You can use distilled water. or even ro water in the gallon jugs at walmart or some other store. You will find that over time a RO/DI unit will pay for itself and make life easier for You.
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 Vince aka VINNIE 
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07-01-2006, 12:55 PM
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#5
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Reef Addict
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Menomonie, WI
Posts: 1,372
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They have a big dispenser at the LFS but, every time I get to there there isn't much left. This last time they only had saltwater.
I'm only a few blocks from Wal-Mart and it sounds like I'll be going with distilled water. If I plan on going to the LFS, I'm going to call there before I drive that far to only get a few gallons.
Thanks everyone.
__________________
Reefkeeping is an Addiction not a hobby!
~*~*Sheli Jo~*~*
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07-01-2006, 12:58 PM
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#6
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Duper Mod !
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Illinois
Posts: 14,334
Reviews: 10
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by VWD
Funny that they only have 3 gallons, Yes You can use distilled water. or even ro water in the gallon jugs at walmart or some other store. You will find that over time a RO/DI unit will pay for itself and make life easier for You.
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I agree I bought gallons of water at Dominicks for a year And it cost waymore than my RO/DI and TDS meter. Plus I don't have to lug gallon jugs around anymore
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Kelli
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07-01-2006, 05:57 PM
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#7
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Reef Addict
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Menomonie, WI
Posts: 1,372
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I also agree. I'm just not capable, at this time, to purchase an ro unit. I'm going to get distilled in the gallon jugs when I can't get it in larger amounts from the lfs. Thanks everyone.
__________________
Reefkeeping is an Addiction not a hobby!
~*~*Sheli Jo~*~*
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07-01-2006, 06:39 PM
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#8
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I've got the REEF rash!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 34,137
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Walmart sell it.That's were I get mine they sell by the jug and they have them in 3 or 4 in a sleave.$.51 here at our Walmart.I Only use it for top-off(I use NSW) and only go thru 5 gallon bi weekly.
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07-01-2006, 07:14 PM
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#9
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Shark
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Pismo Beach, CA
Posts: 2,371
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I use the Glacier machine at the grocery store. One store around my house seems to change or clean their filters ever 2 weeks. I read all the stuff they put the water through, and it has like 5-6 steps, including carbon, 2 UV treatments, and a RO treatment. That seems to be working fine with my stuff. Its only $1.25 for a 5 gallon jug!
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07-01-2006, 11:11 PM
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#10
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BRW member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: austin texas
Posts: 2,154
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time to start spreading the word to your family....birthday/christmas you want a five stage RO/DI filter!  (you can find them used pretty cheap too) I am poor but persistent and after a year in the hobby I finally made it go right to get one cuz I hated having to haul water around. I STILL hate hauling it 20 feet from my garage!
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Had marine tanks from 2003-2007, starting up a 30g fowlr, and other hobby is horses!
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07-02-2006, 11:44 AM
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#11
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Reef Addict
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Menomonie, WI
Posts: 1,372
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I think that I have a friend that is going to buy a ro unit (I think I have him talked into it). Wahooooooo! He lives in the same town that I do. This will save me gas money. I won't mind hauling it from one end of town to the other.
Water is a pain in the butt to haul around! I hate just hauling it from one room to another.  
__________________
Reefkeeping is an Addiction not a hobby!
~*~*Sheli Jo~*~*
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07-02-2006, 12:12 PM
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#12
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Sumpless Girl
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: PA
Posts: 2,351
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i always thought distilled water was not the same as RO water?
and not to use distilled in a reef tank
when you go to the grocery store youll see gallons of spring water, distilled water and purified water, the purified water is RO water it will say so on the bottom of the lablel
just my 2 cents but i always remember reading dont use spring or distilled IMO
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220g bare bottom softee tank. no sump, no skimmer, oh my 
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07-02-2006, 12:26 PM
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#13
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Duper Mod !
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Illinois
Posts: 14,334
Reviews: 10
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Distilled water is fine to use
Here is a detailed thread on the difference between RO vs Distilled
http://thereeftank.com/forums/showth...=walmart+water
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Kelli
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07-02-2006, 04:15 PM
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#14
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Reef Addict
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Menomonie, WI
Posts: 1,372
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well, i just went with my friend to the lfs and they had a full reservoir of fresh water! 
imagine that! i drive 60 miles and there is only 3 gallons, he drives there and there's more than both of need.
my luck, i only took one five gallon jug with me!!! 
__________________
Reefkeeping is an Addiction not a hobby!
~*~*Sheli Jo~*~*
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07-02-2006, 04:17 PM
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#15
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Reef Addict
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Menomonie, WI
Posts: 1,372
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 thanks kelli!
__________________
Reefkeeping is an Addiction not a hobby!
~*~*Sheli Jo~*~*
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