Fullofit343

I'm looking to start up a 29 gallon FOWLR tank. I would have a few pounds of live rock and an emperor 280 in it. The only thing that is setting me back (financially) is having to get an RO unit. everyone seems to swear by them or jugs or RO water (7 dolalrs for 2 gallons by me! not an option!) Is there any cheaper alternative?

sgould

Not that's coming to mind. I ran on tap water for about a year before biting the RO bullet just a couple of months ago, so it can be done. BUT, the thing is, in order to compensate for everything in the tap water that RO would filter out, I ran a canister filter with phosphate pads and a couple of other resin filters as well. It did help keep things under control, but by the time you figure how much I was paying for new pads on a monthly basis, as well as the cost of the canister itself, you don't really save any money vs. RO. And even then, I still noticed a definate reduction in algae within just a couple of weeks of converting to RO.

Derek

Keep checking the smaller shops 2 near me will let you fill any jug 1$

Miss Mouse

I didn't have an RO unit so I just ran my tank on tap water for about a year - I didnt have any trouble. Then I found out that my local aquatic centre filled a large bucket for 75p so I just stored it for a few weeks at a time. It did have a big effect on the clarity of the water but I didn't notice much difference otherwise...

Malinois1

What about Distilled Water? Can that be an exceptable replacement for R/O water?

JohnnyOcean

I too started out without using RO water. And yes it does lead to algae issues. But in your situtation at $7 for 2g is not economical. You can use some types of phosphate removers to aid in treating the water till you save enough for a RO unit. There has to be other sources at far lesser prices in you area, just keep looking. Good luck.

Hypnox

If you're not going to use RO water, use phosphate and nitrate absorbing pads or you could potentially face serious algae issues. Since switching to RO water from tap i've had far fewer problems keeping hair algae under control in my tank.

offminded

if you're using phosphate and nitrate pads...can you just set them in your sump or is there an alternative to where they are placed?