Anyone successfully runs their tank with tap water? (1 Viewer)

[W8nSee]

I currently changed my lights from a embarrassing 24" strip to a Dual fluorescent coralife fixture. Now i have algea, but i want to work out one problem at a time. I live in the 77084 area code. So i hope to find out if anyone has had a successful tank using tap water and what does their tank consist of? how much maintenance?

Help Please!

 

[trb]

Most people on here use RO/DI exclusively, simply to rule out tap water from causing an algae problem. How big is your tank? How long has it been running? Do you know what your TDS - total dissolved solids - reading is? The algae could be from the water, lights, or other causes.

 

[BigRick]

Tap water = Hair Algae bloom. My office is at 290/hwy 6 area. I keep rodi (0 tds, 6 stage dual di) water and saltwater (aquavitro salinity salt) mixed on hand if you need some. The tap water coming into my office is 250± tds.

 

[DustinB]

Not only do you have to worry about high tds readings, containing such things as copper, phosphate, organic compounds, etc... You have to worry about treating the water for chlorine and chloramine.

 

[W8nSee]

Im not sure where to get my TDS readings?

 

[steveb]

TDS readings may be available from your water company or you may be able to take a sample to to an LFS if they have a TDS meter.

 

[Mark L.]

Im not sure where to get my TDS readings?

Where you at on the NW side? I just bought a TDS meter to see what my tap water is running. If you are close I can swing by and test it for you. My TDS is reading 200-202. That seems to be pretty low from what I've been seeing.

 

[trb]

Im not sure where to get my TDS readings?

Where you at on the NW side? I just bought a TDS meter to see what my tap water is running. If you are close I can swing by and test it for you. My TDS is reading 200-202. That seems to be pretty low from what I've been seeing.

Based on their other posts, Alexandra and Eric are off the Hwy 6 and 529 area, not too far from "our" area of NW Houston.

 

[Mark L.]

Im not sure where to get my TDS readings?

Where you at on the NW side? I just bought a TDS meter to see what my tap water is running. If you are close I can swing by and test it for you. My TDS is reading 200-202. That seems to be pretty low from what I've been seeing.

Based on their other posts, Alexandra and Eric are off the Hwy 6 and 529 area, not too far from "our" area of NW Houston.

Cool. Well if they are curious will wait for them to speak up.

 

[W8nSee]

Ok sorry for late response, woodlands seems far but I wonder if a local lfs would do it for me.

 

[trb]

Ok sorry for late response, woodlands seems far but I wonder if a local lfs would do it for me.

He works right by Aquarium World on 290.

 

[steveb]

Just order the BFS-75 TDS3 handheld meter - $22.20 from buckeye field supply.

http://www.buckeyefieldsupply.com/showproducts.asp?Category=207&Sub=149

 

[Mark L.]

Ok sorry for late response, woodlands seems far but I wonder if a local lfs would do it for me.

He works right by Aquarium World on 290.

Yep. My office is at Bingle Rd. and 290. I could bring it to work one day and meet after if anyone wants. I frequently go to FJW and Aquarium World after work.

 

[W8nSee]

Sure thing. I would like to meet at aquarium world one of these days. Whens your next trip. I am available on friday due to night school.
You can text or call 281-901-4826-Eric

 

[Mark L.]

Sure thing. I would like to meet at aquarium world one of these days. Whens your next trip. I am available on friday due to night school.
You can text or call 281-901-4826-Eric

I could meet you friday between 11am-noon at lunchtime or between 4pm-5pm. I would need to leave right at 5pm though. I have my brother's bachelor's party this weekend and I'm running crazy trying to organize it. It would take literally 5 seconds to stick the meter in a jar of water and see the read out.

 

[emixa]

UM, sorry, but now the interest of a bachelor party struck my interest.

 

[Mark L.]

LOL! Man I tell ya. It sounds like so much fun unless you are the one organizing and paying for it! Ugh! I'm going to be out $1500 by the end of this wedding and I'm not even getting married! Hahaha.

 

[Mark L.]

W8nSee, I'll bring my meter to work tomorrow in case you want to meet. Just let me know!

 

[fishrme]

where is aquarium world at ..i havent been there yet ..sounds like a houston trip to me

 

[Mark L.]

They are at the south east corner of 290 and Hollister.

13157 Northwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77040