Well Water - Probably a dumb question...

[Dean Stell]

Here's a question about well water....... I'm new to the marine side of this hobby, so bear with me.....

I do all my water changes and top offs with RODI (fresh or salt as appropriate) from the LFS.

But, I also hear all the comments about not putting ordinary tap water into your system.

So....here's my question. If I'm cleaning gunk off a powerhead in the sink, I'm fine doing that under well water, right? Do I need to dry all traces of the well water off the powerhead before putting it back into service? Let it air-dry? Or is it really no big deal?

For what it's worth, our well water is really awesome. Back when I kept freshwater tanks, I did all my water changes straight out of the sink without any problems. So, I don't worry about pollutants. I'm still not going to use it for water changes or anything, but just wondered if I need to be psycho about a single drop invading my marine aquarium?

[Smerdikov]

a single drop no problem. i would suggest purchasing a TDS meter. then you will know how bad that water is. i wash my stuff with my tap water and so far have not seen any problems.

[Yogre]

I have well water, too, and mine is definitely not pristine. I don't worry about cleaning pumps, etc. in my well water.

I think you'll be fine to use your water to clean equipment. I'd stick with RO/DI though for salt mixing and top-off.

[Radix]

I've never had an issue with well water, ever. I use mine as my main saltwater. Nothing's ever gone wrong with it.

[EllieSuz]

Well water has the advantage of not containing chlorine or chloramine, but that's about all. You do not have to dry tap water off any equipment after washing. The ratio of a few drops of water to the volume of your entire system is insignificant.

[gone fishin]

I have great well water and have been using it for everything for about a year and a half. That being said everyones well is different. It comes down to what minerals and metals are in each wells water and only a water test will show that. A TDS meter is a good tool but it only tells the total dissolved solids not what they are or in what amount. just my 2 cents.

[Dean Stell]

Thanks folks. I figured that a drop of water or residual moisture wasn't going to hurt anything, but it's nice to have that confirmed.

This board is a great resource for new folks like me. I can only imagine what this hobby must have been like 20+ years ago. I'm sure it was like learning a martial art where you either (a) found a good instructor/mentor or (b) were stuck copying pictures out of a book. :)

[Sk8r]

Well water is not an absolute: ie, depends on what the ground is. For instance, if it's coming up through sandstone---that sandstone could have other stuff in it. Farmers nearby could have fertilized the fields with phosphates. Trains (Spokane WA) could have dumped oil and fuel which has gotten into the water table. There could (Bethany OK) be some arsenic in the ground there. It could come up through wonderfully pure limestone (some areas near KC MO) but just south of there, could be a plastics plant that leaks something lethal. And so on. Fresh water dissolves some minerals like calcium carbonate. Salt water dissolves metals but won't dissolve calcium carbonate, etc: so just because one chap in one area has nice well water, don't bet your tank on yours until you've had it tested and know exactly what's in it.

[Offalmangler]

I use straight well water. No RO/DI here. I haven't had a single problem.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Washing something even in tap water is likely fine. Just shake it "dry". :)

[Unome]

Washing something even in tap water is likely fine. Just shake it "dry". :)But don't shake it too many times or people will talk.

Sorry, I couldn't resist. :clown:

[D_Hood87]

using well water for 5+ years on 5 stage RO/DI system with no problems but i do test it before every WC just to make sure i dont nuke my DT's (160&120) just test it to be sure and if you see a problem go back to doing what you were doing before until you figure it out.

[Buckeye Hydro]

washing something even in tap water is likely fine. Just shake it "dry". :)

+1

[Danzig]

But don't shake it too many times or people will talk.

Sorry, I couldn't resist. :clown:

If you shake it more than three times your just playing with it. Sorry had to correct ya