Watertreatment...

[Konigwolf 13]

OK the basic, I'm looking at setting up a 20G nanoreef and I'm looking at different wateroptions. I remember a few moths ago somebody posted a big thread on DIY waterfilter andthere was a bit of hooha and frackas as to wether it would of bood good enough byiteslf for fish tanks. Does anybody have a clue or opinion if it would be ok with a good quality water treatment for a marine or should I only contemplate RO  

Andrew

[ashhhh]

RO is the way to go for the purest water,
bit off topic but still interesting.....
saw a thing on that beyond 2000 program where NASA had developed a multi staged RO unit ,that any one can buy for the low price of around $3500 :roll: and they did a demo and got the guy to piss in a cup, put it through the RO unit, he then drank it to prove its effectiveness...the result was pure water, they developed these units for those 3rd world countries with poor drinking water etc etc....

anyways these marine nuts here mite be of better help if yer get stuck :wink: http://www.masa.asn.au/phpBB2/index.php?sid=3dd863aa94eda2ad25f2450c558007af

[bryce2003]

Mate I never use water conditioners now. I got a water purifier cannister, cartridge (0.5 microns, activated carbon etc.) and attachments for just under $130 about 3 months ago from Bunnings. I was spending about $60 a month on water conditioners. The cartridge itself cost $65 which I'll replace every 4-5 months so a big saving there in itself.

I use it on our big display tank and with my breeder/grow out tanks and haven't had any deaths etc. even with newly hatched fry and if anything our fish have thrived while some haven't stopped breeding since we started using it.

I think the thing to look at in particular is where your water comes from and what they put in it. We live in the Pine Shire so water is standard whether it rains or not so I'd look into the local water before jumping right in. Also if you do get 1 which I personally would recommend keep the flow rates down when filling tanks to maximise efficiency.

Only thing I will do in the future is to add another cannister etc. to it to make sure there isn't a chance of anything going wrong by offsetting the change over of filter cartridges. Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Bryce.

[wrk21]

water purifaction units that are used in the home can be adapted for fish use.<
>bunnings sell a simple but effective unit for $85.00, with a few modification this unit can become one of the most important parts of the fish room.<
>while at bunnings you can also get the hose fittings, which lets you to run your hose straight from the tap into the unit, then another to your tanks with out having to move the unit from tank to tank.<
>these part cost another $4.00.<
>now the most important part, the filter.<
>these filters can filter down to half of one micron, which in layman terms, it dont let anything through.<
>these can range from $15.00 to $45.00 depending on how good a job you want.<
>always get the filter cartridge with the carbon in it as this will take out the chlorine from the tap water and think of the money you''ll save on dechlorinators.<
>one cartridge will filter an olympic swimming pool so under normal use you should get at least a year befor wanting a new one(cartridge).<
>if you cant be bothered chasing around for the parts i sell them for $95.00 complete.<
>yes you have a bit of an out lay at first but for $15.00 a year i cant think of a better way. AND NO CHEMICALS.<

[Rod54]

Here we go again...

The best solution is an RO unit...absolutely pure water....too pure to support life,but add marine salts and away you go.

Filter systems from Bunnings or others....Russian roulette
 
Some councils treat water with Chlorine some with Chloromide
there is reason to believe that these filters are effective on removal of Chlorine....but NOT Chloromide(that's why they use it because it doesn't break down as quickly)....Brisbane water is treated with Chloromide

Should really test the tap water to treat it effectively....but very few do.

My order of solutions from least risk to greatest risk is as follows
Best solution....RO unit...by far..as it eliminates all disolved solids.
other solutions still contain dissolved solids.
Next best.......Age water for 2 days outside
Next best......chemical treatment
Next best......Bunnings filter
Next....straight out of the tap

[Konigwolf 13]

I'd have to disagree that a good water conditioner is not better than 2 days outside as a just letting the water sit/airate doesnt neutralise any possible "heavy metal contaminates" so they are probaly about par, chemical/no chemical argument. Also as i said I also be adding the declor anyways to be on the safe side. This will probably be the way I'll go as my wife wants the filter anyways and I cant really afford an RO unit yet (Dear santa ...)

Andrew

[bryce2003]

I did a heap of research on the water in MY shire and from MY taps therefore for me using a water purifier is a safe bet FOR ME. I recommend them while others don't but I recommend people look into it before getting 1 or dismissing it out of hand. I also recommend speaking to various people within their local council about the water they get as different answers can be given out by different people.

Rod,
Just to clarify, it's chloramine (chlorine and ammonia) that some councils use in their water not chloramide. Sorry it's a small point but can be beneficial to know if researching etc.



Brisbane uses chloramine as well as extra dosage rates of chemicals etc. especially after periods of rain. Pine Shire has a "standard" at which their water is maintained at when it leaves the treatment plants regardless of rain or not . However they don't use chloramine to do this. Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Bryce.

[Rod54]

Thanks Bryce,

You are correct and I agree with your comments.....Rod