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| FAQs on Tap/Source Water Use for Marine Aquariums,
Testing Related Articles: Treating Tap water for
Marine Aquarium Use, Water Purification
Using Reverse Osmosis,
Related FAQs: Treating Tapwater 1,
Treating Tapwater 2,
Treating Tapwater 3, & FAQs on New Water
Treatment: Rationale/Science,
Chemicals (Chlorine, Chloramines, Trihalomethanes...),
Filtrants, Techniques/Tools,
Troubleshooting,
Products by Manufacturer/Brand,
DIY Treatment Chemicals/Tools,
& Reverse
Osmosis Filtration, Specific Gravity, Water
Purification Using R.O 1. RO/DI 2, RO/DI
3, Nitrates, Water Changes,
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What to test for from my well water?
Five years ago I had a 125 gallon salt tank. But used it mainly for carnivorous fish. I have been dreaming of getting into a reef setup. I
recently found a great deal. And have just purchased a 750 gallon tank. I now live with well water and want to make sure I know what I'm
getting out of the ground. I do plan on getting it tested, but have a few specific
questions in regards to the required tests.
My questions are:
1. Which tests do you consider absolutely necessary since their seems to be and endless amount of things to test for.
<I would consider Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, Chlorine, Copper, pH, and Hardness to be necessary tests when determining whether or not well water is suitable for use in your reef tank to be.>
2. I would like to know what certain elements in my water would dictate either my using RO, or RO/DI, or just Kold. I really do not want to tax my
well with what I understand to be a wasteful RO system. Unless absolutely necessary.
<I, personally recommend that everyone uses an RO/DI system for their reef tank. Many units have lower waste water to clean water ratios. However, if you feel so inclined to use your well water, discovering traces of Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate,
Chlorine, or Copper would serve as a red flag, and should deem the well water unsuitable. Low pH and low hardness are not make-it-or-break-it factors, but can cause many headaches down the road.>
PS. Your site seems to be the most complete I have found for information. After reading a ton of previous questions I see their are endless
possibilities with how best to set up systems.
<You've hit the nail on the head.>
I thought I had a plan until finding this tonight. Now I know I better spend a little more time gaining
some knowledge before setting it up. Thanks for your time and expertise.
<Glad I could be of assistance, Mike G>
What to test for from my well water? - II
Wow, what a great/quick response. Thank you.
<You're welcome.>
Would it be sufficient to just use my RO when preparing to do a water change? Or is it recommended that you also leave it running 24 hours a day
to aid in filtering the tank? Can you recommend any manufactures?
<What do you mean by "filtering the tank?" An RO/DI unit takes tap water, or, in your case, well water, and converts it into a much more reef-appropriate water. You use it to prepare water for water changes and for
top-off, but hooking it up to a reef as a filter, which I assume you want to do, would convert the saltwater to freshwater, and waste much of the water. Before you knew it, your 750 gallon tank would be half full of near fresh water.>
I was told to buy Aqua Medic products.
<Which products to buy is completely your choice.>
I'm considering buying:
1. Aqua Medic Turbo Floater 5000 @ 975 GPH skimmer.
2. Osmotic 4 stage R/O 300 GPD
3. Riff 2000 Wet/Dry
Any feeling on these in particular?
<1 and 2 look good to me, but I would never personally recommend a wet/dry unit on a reef tank. It serves only as a nitrate factory.>
Thanks again, I will hold on the questions until I further educate!
<No need. This is a place to get answers and to help you. We don't mind answering your questions at all, Mike G>
Water testing
This question is more for Steve and Anthony (sorry Bob) being from Pittsburgh do
you know where I can take my tap water to get it tested? I live near Cranberry
and would like to know if my tap water is ok to use straight for filling my tank
or not.
<actually... your water authority publishes an annual report and weekly
(perhaps daily) ones are available as well. Usually available just for their
asking... do give them a call. They must lawfully disclose such information I
believe. Do consider that all tap water changes seasonally though... as such,
for a truly tweaked tank... you may still want to consider purified/buffered
water to employ a consistent quality of water for tank use>>
Thanks You all are great and Bob your book is like a bible to me and doesn't go
far from me. Lunch breaks and everything else are spent reading and rereading
trying to soak it all in. but still here I am on the site trying to learn more.
Colleen Thanks in advance Pittsburgh, PA
<best regards and thank you! Anthony>
What's On Tap? (Source Water Testing)
Hi guys,
<Scott F. your guy today!>
In an effort to get to the source of my nuisance algae problem (brown slime on
live rock and substrate) which seems to be either brown diatom algae or
Cyanobacteria. I am getting my tapwater and tank water professionally tested. My
hobby grade test kits (Hagen and Red Sea) all say my phosphate, silicate and
nitrate levels are really low yet my tank says otherwise!
<Yep- you'd be surprised what happens in an aquarium. It is entirely possible
for a test kit to read undetectable levels of these undesirable substances, yet
still have a tank full of algae-covered rock and sand. Many of the compounds
that fuel nuisance algae growth get bound up in substrates and rocks, and
provide a continuous nutrient source.>
I am taking two samples ( in sterile containers sent to me by the water
consultant) , my tap water alone and my tank water.
I am asking him to test for Phosphate (should it be for organic,
inorganic or total phosphate ??)
<Well- could be all of the above...I'd look into organic phosphate,
myself>
, silicates and nitrates.
While I am doing this baseline testing is there anything else I should test for
which is important for my FOWLR tank.
<Well, I think that you're covering most of the major nutrients for nuisance
algae outbreaks that are found in source water>
His pricing is very reasonable and I need to know the source of my Cyano slime
so I can act accordingly.
THX.
<Well, source water is an important source of these substances, but don't
rule out some of the more basic things, such as your husbandry practices (i.e.;
water changes), protein skimming, feeding habits, etc....All are potential
contributors to nuisance algae blooms...Look beyond the obvious, but don't
forget to look at the "basics" yet again. I'm sure that you'll get to
the bottom of your problem! Good luck! Regards, Scott F>
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