Tap water in all my tanks too, RO/DI is cost prohibitive for me, unless I'll switch to a one pico tank. Toronto's tap water, also was used for the plants, that require DI water for watering: orchids and carnivorous plants. While the water analysis looked not so good, and the taste leaves desire the better, the tanks inhabitants are alive and the corals, algae and pods are reproducing.
Have the tanks for a little more than 1.5 years.
How it works for me:
- use the faucet, closest to the water distribution line (basement) and water heater, with aerator on the faucet, let the water run for may be 3 min, if you compare water taste before and after - you will feel the difference;
- then fill the bucket (I think, that the hose may be used as well, I don't want to risk, if the other end of the hose moves out of trashcan), carry it to the trashcan in the heated area with window, closed in the winter.
- run maxi-jet 1200 powerhead for some time, to allow chlorine to dissipate,
- add Prime conditioner, mix water again,
- then as always - mix sea salt, aerate, keep temperature and salinity in check, adjust Ca and Mg levels, if IO salt.
I had the small flood in 90g tank at the Christmas night (why the troubles always happens in the most inconvenient time?), 20g, not more - turbo snail in overlow. Had no ready salt water, so made the all at once, without ANY waiting, and all on the run, - all fish, softies and LPS survived without problems or declining in health.
Some of the fish are sensitive: mombassa lion, dragonets, cleaner wrasse. Invertebrates in other tanks include baby tridacnas (zero mortality, 2 of 2
, sps, condy anemone).
I'm not advocating for the using tap water: just bitted more, than can afford to chew