topping off with water from a dehumidifier?

[theyellowdart]

The dehumidifier in my basement collects a gallon of water every 12 hours. I was wondering if i could use that water to top off my tank?

[sflorlando]

I think the coils in a dehumidifier are copper, I also think the water would be dirty since fans push air across the coils and dust would get on the coils. Use the water to water your plants

[Gary Majchrzak]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13317135#post13317135 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by theyellowdart
The dehumidifier in my basement collects a gallon of water every 12 hours. I was wondering if i could use that water to top off my tank?
this is a good question that gets asked very frequently.
water from the dehumidifier is not a good choice for use in a reef aquarium. Use RO water.

[Mike31154]

Same goes for air conditioner precipitated water. I tested the water from my portable air conditioner for copper and it showed a fairly high level. Some air conditioners/de-humidifiers may have coils that are made from something other than copper, but be sure to test before you consider using it.

[das75]

still just about puke when I think of the coils on the dehumidifier my mother gave me (was a heavy smoker). sure the water could have been considered toxic waste.

[BeanAnimal]

As others have mentioned, this is not something that should be considered for any number of reasons. Dehumidifier water can be high in metals (copper, zinc, etc) and it has no anti-bacterial properties, so stuff grows very quickly in it (and on the coils). Water your plants or the grass with it, but not the tank.

[twolfe98]

I have always wondered if i could do this.. good 2 know!

[ludiNano]

What about useing wast water from RODI for fresh water tanks.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

If your water supply company uses chloramine, there will be substantial ammonia in the waste. Otherwise, it may be fine for that purpose.

[twolfe98]

I use waste water for drinking sometimes. I thought the filters would grab the big stuff. but I guess the waste is a higher PPM of waste?

[ludiNano]

seeing that i just use my tap water w/ amquel for my fresh tanks now it would be cleaner useing the wast water would it not.

the filters are still removing organics.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I'm not sure how much organic material is removed by the carbon block. Some, certainly. But any that gets by will be reconcentrated (by about 25%) in the waste. Same for ions like lead. Maybe there is data available for such a use of the waste water from a typical hobby RO/DI, but I have not seen it. Things like phosphate will be enriched in the waste

[ludiNano]

AZDesertRat may know he works for some kind of Wastwater operations consultant.

[tanker]

Use the water for plants, laundry, toilets, lawn, ect. I would not add it to any fish (FW or SW). The same goes for RO waste water.

[cabbage2003]

good to know