Tested my tap water

[3n1]

TDS 313ppm

Phosphate .75

GH 322ppm

PH 8.4

What do you think of each reading?

I have a 6 stage RO/DI, but my well water is so cold and pressure so low, I get 1 gal good with more than 100gal waste. I wont be purchasing one of those pressure pumps.

I'm thinking of removing the RO and just using the DI.

What do you think of just using the filters, and no RO or DI?

[papagimp]

better than nothing I suppose. Try it out, and test THAT water. see how the TDS reading comes out them. Also, phosphates not good. Did you bother to check nitrates, ammonia, or nitrite? All three of these go off the chart with my tap water. Even after running it through just the carbon and sediment filters. At a bare minimum run the DI cartridge, you can run those alot lower pressure but they'll get exhausted failry quickly.

[3n1]

I tested the Nitrate with a SW test kit and it was 0. I wasnt sure if it would read correct being I tested FW.

[papagimp]

Depends on the test kit. I use AP (aquarium pharmacuticles) from petsmart, there nitrate test are identical for fresh or salt, as well as many other tests they have.

If ya just don't know, then add saltmix to a small portion and then retest.

That hardness and TDS readings are freakin' way too high to try and use saftley, IMO, I would either find a method to filter it down or buy some RO/DI locally at a fish store.

[3n1]

Yes, I use AP test kits.

The hardness is Calcium isnt it? I thought the GH would be good.

There are no fish stores closer than 40 miles to me that does SW. I need about 150 gals to get started.

[papagimp]

Actually, calcium is for Calcium. Harndess is more like Alkalinity, although GH will not give you the ALK reading. Get an Alk test or KH test for a better reading. Both CA and ALK are extremely important so please don't neglect to test for either.

[Icefire]

I doutb you have 100:1 ratio, my water is barely 1C in winter and I get maybe 1:10..

Using DI only will cost you a fortune, it will be used really quick @ 322ppm.

a pressure pump is 60-80$, just get one.

[papagimp]

IceFire, that has got to be one of the best avatars I've seen yet here on reefcentral! Love it!

I agree with his comment, a pressure pump would probably be the cheapest option.

[Icefire]

Thanks, it's breeding well in my tank :D

[3n1]

The AP manual that came with the test kit explained GH as a measurement of Calcium and Magnesium. Thats what I based my question on.

Please show me a pressure pump for $60.

And no, it was not 10:1..I filled my ex-large capacity washer FULL of the waste and didnt even get 1/2 gal of the ro/di. Even if I could get 10:1, needing 150 gals would mean 1500 gals of waste. I can not justify that kind of waste.

[Icefire]

ask azdesertrat (sp?), he know about one