Distilled Water

[gkimble]

Would it be ok if I bought distilled water from the grocery store and used it in my tank?

[Shagsbeard]

Distilled water has removed many of the benificial minerals. It's preferable to use RO/DI water... and probably cheaper too.

[deepblueat2814]

Distilled can certainly be used but expensive

[akrimmel]

it wopuld be ok in a crunch but not for long term use

[bertoni]

The quality of distilled water varies. I'd test the brand in question. In general, it gets expensive over time.

RO-DI removes more of the minerals than distilling, in many cases, so that's not really an issue.

[akrimmel]

bertoni
agreed but ion a crunch you could use it and get by correct?

[gkimble]

I know my parents have a Ro/Di unit at home. But will it be sufficient enough for saltwater. Does it matter what type and brand?

[No Worries1979]

I use distilled water for dips and rinses when adding new fish. It would be a pain to use for water changes, hauling all those gallons. I'm not lazy, but darn!!!

[bertoni]

RO-DI units vary in effectiveness and likely in cost of usage. The one your parents have is probably fine, if it's DI and the cartridges are kept up to date.

I've used distilled water without problems, but it's costly and I get nervous about the quality.

[akrimmel]

i as well have had to use it in a crunch and was leary of the quality at times as well.

[MimicTang]

Ro/Di is devoid of minerals too. Why the TDS should be 0. Its fine just dont get it at wal-mart. They load it with phosphates.

[akrimmel]

not all the distilled water at walmart is high i took my TDS meter and tested on site.

[gkimble]

thanks guys I really appreciate all the great advice. I am looking into possibly buying a 6100RD RO/DI system instead of taking a risk with distilled water from my local grocery store.

[akrimmel]

best way to go.

[casingbill]

I used store bought distilled for my topoffs, but my local Petco has an in house RO/DI saltwater mixing tank and I just go in with a 5 gal. pail for my water changes. Too quick and easy. Still cheap. .89 a gallon and ready to go.

[yakfishin]

Some have mentioned before that distilled water is produced with the use of copper piping, which may release a trace amount of copper into the distilled water- but I have never had a reading of copper in the distilled water that I have tested. If distilled water is needed in a pinch- perhaps spend a few more pennies and don't buy the cheapest brand.

[Clint0912]

I really don't know anything about RO/DI units. Don't they generate an incredible amount of wastewater, like 10:1? Do they need to be hooked up to a sink? Can anyone give me the basics?

[akrimmel]

yes the waste water is a lot you can get ones that have garden hose attatchments aw well,,don't necessarily have to be hooked up to a sink just to a water line.

[delsol650]

Agreed withAkrimmel, the only thing to worry about distilled is how they process it, does it come with alot of copper leakeage/copper in with it which is bad for inverts.

RO/Di typically you get 1 gal of good RO/DI for 4 gal waste...

[bertoni]

I think copper piping at distillation plants is no longer common. I've tested water that showed nitrate, though, for example.

[delsol650]

That is why RO/DI is the thing to go...

[blackheart]

check my little red house to see how distilled water does in a reef

[delsol650]

Just regurgetating what I saw/read on other threads....

[blackheart]

It is cheaper I'll give you that. But cheaper means nothing to my old lady. if she can see it she doesn't want it.

[gkimble]

what if I tested teh distilled water and found a good brand? How much do copper test kits cost? Is that the only thing I ned to really test for?