Success with tap water

[LifeIsGreat]

I used tap water in the southern Saskatchewan area and got mega hair algae. Now I use a 4 stage RO filter for my drinking water and reef water. Works pretty good. I have some hair algae, but so little that I can't tell if it is from the water or from food/critter waste. I also don't run any filters other than carbon, not even a sock.

[Frogger]

You can purchase R/O water from most grocery stores, not too expensive if you have your own containers. I have been forced to do it in a pinch.

[Dash]

Hi,
I use tap water. I have a tank journal on here if you’d like to check out some photos

[Mork]

@Dash - your tank looks awesome, with some nice growth on your SPS

Have you had any algae issues with the tank? I assume you also use tap water for your top-off too?

[Dash]

I’ve never had algae issues until I started feeding more and using Reef Chili this year to get some colour into my coral. The colour definitely improved but now I have this one little clump of hair algae at the tip of my tallest rock (you can see it in the photo of my mandarin). I just need to find the time to scrape it off. Otherwise I think it’s pretty clean.
I have a ball of chaeto in my sump fuge and I think this helps. My previous 75 gal tank was sumpless & my old hang on skimmer was not great so I’d have the odd patches of cyano now and then. Nothing serious though.

Yeah, just tap water with Prime. I don’t have rodi set up.

[Mork]

I would imagine the chaeto in the sump and a good skimmer helps a lot.

Have you tested the TDS of your water supply. I’m curious what that would be in New West. I’m in the North Shore, and I believe my TDS gave me a reading of around .10ppm

Originally Posted by Dash

I’ve never had algae issues until I started feeding more and using Reef Chili this year to get some colour into my coral. The colour definitely improved but now I have this one little clump of hair algae at the tip of my tallest rock (you can see it in the photo of my mandarin). I just need to find the time to scrape it off. Otherwise I think it’s pretty clean.
I have a ball of chaeto in my sump fuge and I think this helps. My previous 75 gal tank was sumpless & my old hang on skimmer was not great so I’d have the odd patches of cyano now and then. Nothing serious though.

Yeah, just tap water with Prime. I don’t have rodi set up.

[Dash]

I don’t have a meter but I remember someone else got a reading of 1-2. In all honesty, I believe any cyano/algae in my tanks have been related to flow & skimmer issues and I’ve experienced nothing more than a little patch here and there. I still need to work out my powerhead positioning but it’s tricky due to the sand & my rock placement. I believe the most important element in my tank is the live rock - which came from a very mature tank.