type of water to use

[ferg822]

so i know that you shouldn't use tap water, but is there any alternative to getting water anywhere else. My LFS is 35 minutes away and i usually only make monthly trips. can you use bottled water or those gallon jugs you find at giant eagle that are distilled.

[BCreefmaker]

sometimes even bottled water is hit or miss. use RO/DI water or distilled untill you can afford your own RO/di unit. best purchase your can make for any aquarium, fresh or salt. oh yeah and you might want to get a portable TDS meter(~30$), it can really help you in determining what is the best bottled water source in your area.

[arts007]

Yeah if you can get an RO/DI unit its the best route to go. Distilled water is fine and I used it along with RO water they sell at supermarkets in the self service machines (29 cents/gal) for 6 months and had no issues. I wouldnt use spring water though

[jamiep]

Spring water can be high in PO4. Use RO or DI if your really stuck.

[ferg822]

so what do you mean by distilled water. is there any type of water i can get from a grocery store?

[traderdan]

I get and use distilled water from the grocery store. I've never had any problems with it. It is in the isle with the bottled water and clearly marked distilled.