Water question

[Abertuco]

I can't find ro/di water anywhere near me and don't have money to buy a filter could I use distilled water instead or is there another safe alternative

[billdogg]

Distilled will work but will get expensive fast.

Take a look at www.buckeyehydro.com Russ will fix you up with a very good product at a very good price. I ordered mine on Saturday and got it Tuesday.

[dkeller_nc]

Yes, distilled water from the grocery store is OK, but not "drinking" water. Keep in mind that at about $1 per gallon, you'll spend what it would cost you to get a small, compact RODI unit like the Aquatic Life RO Buddie in short order - it's far cheaper to make your own RODI than purchase it from an LFS or buying distilled water from the grocery store.

[snorvich]

Yes, distilled water from the grocery store is OK, but not "drinking" water. Keep in mind that at about $1 per gallon, you'll spend what it would cost you to get a small, compact RODI unit like the Aquatic Life RO Buddie in short order - it's far cheaper to make your own RODI than purchase it from an LFS or buying distilled water from the grocery store.

Absolutely. And, it also gives you greater control over water TDS.

[Abertuco]

Water tds?

[shifty51008]

TDS = total dissolved solids meaning the lower the number, the better.

[Odysi]

If you have a Walmart near you can buy there Great Value drinking water (must be the bright green cap) it's RO water. Thats what I used until I got my ro/di unit. Cost about 88 cents a gallon for me.

[Abertuco]

I do have a wal mart right down the street thank you

[Odysi]

It's always tested 0 TDS for me. Only hassle is lugging the gallons of water lol.

[Abertuco]

What about ph

[snorvich]

Water tds?

As defined above. Some LFS sell water that may have less than 0 tds (in order to save money) so it is always good to be able to control tds on your own. Sorry for using an acronym! :(

[Abertuco]

I'm a little confused on how I can control the tds

[shifty51008]

don't worry about pH of ro/rodi water.

[shifty51008]

I'm a little confused on how I can control the tds

a ro/rodi filter will control the TDS, the membrane in these filters will capture about 98% of junk in tap water leaving you will decent water and if you add in the DI part it will bring your water to pure H2O and nothing else.

that is just the simple version.

[disc1]

I'm a little confused on how I can control the tds

By having your own filter so you can do the maintenance when it is needed.

[Abertuco]

Oh ok I got it now. Considering I only have a 30g tank and been doing 3g water changes I'm just gonna buy the water until I can afford a ro unit. Also don't I want my new water ph to match my tank water

[dkeller_nc]

The pH of distilled/RODI water is meaningless because it has little or no buffering capacity. In contrast, your tank water has a fair bit of buffering capacity, so using distilled/RODI water for evaporation make-up will have no affect on the tank's pH.

[Every1jockzjay]

I dod 4 months and finnaly got a brs 4 stage plus...Save up ur money and get it got mine for 140$ on sale...best 140$ i ever spent...only use cold water im ro di hot water will ruin the membrane(nobody told me that)!