Distilled water

usscot555 · 09-11-2005, 05:30 PM

I am sure you folks have answered it 100 times... but I am new, OK?

Is there any problem using distilled water in a reef tank?

Why or why not?

I was given a distiller & sure would be nice to use it instead of having to buy RO water.

What could I do to make it better? pass it through charcoal? UV?

Richard

rayjay · 09-11-2005, 07:30 PM

If it has copper in the coils, then the leacheate can in time build up and kill invertebrates in the tank.

usscot555 · 09-11-2005, 09:07 PM

It has alunimum coils.

But besides that.. lets say I wanted to use Distilled Water from the grocery store shelve. Would that be a problem? Does distilling take out all the clorine, phosfate & other minerals?

Richard

Quote:

Originally Posted by rayjay

If it has copper in the coils, then the leacheate can in time build up and kill invertebrates in the tank.

rayjay · 09-11-2005, 11:10 PM

The best water you could provide would be RO/DI with RO only, being second best. DI alone would be sufficient with many water supplys.
I'm not sure just what all is removed in the distilling process, but I have a feeling that heavy metals and maybe more, are not removed.
Distilled water would be considered not as good as DI or RO and especially RO/DI.
That all being said, I have to admit that I use none of these as my water supply from the Great Lakes, and treated by the London water treatment facilities is good enough that all I do is age the water to let the chlorine dissapate.

**kevinpo** · 09-11-2005, 11:55 PM

Distilled water from the store is equal to RO/DI and has 0 TDS.

HTH,
Kevin

***Reefland*** · 09-12-2005, 11:43 AM

I think good distilled water from teh grocery store is fine to you. You could still test it with a TDS meter for peace of mind but I agree with Kevin, I think you'll be just fine with it. The only thing that makes me say "I think" is I guess there's a chance that some stores sell "distilled water" that is just from their tap; not for certain and no proof but possible.

**kevinpo** · 09-12-2005, 11:59 AM

Scott,
I have tested several brands and they all read 0 TDS.

HTH,
Kevin

***Reefland*** · 09-12-2005, 12:11 PM

Yup, I totally agree Kevin. I only mention testing for peace of mind because I know there are some debates about the quality of so called bottled and distilled water. I recently heard that Aquafina was nothing more than tap although I don't believe that. I have heard of people making these claims though...

**Poseidon** · 09-12-2005, 12:24 PM

To get OT Mountain Spring is from the tap in Northern MI, it is true that they have a "spring" but certainly no MOUNTAINS! The "factory" there caused a big stir when they started sucking out MILLIONS of gallons!

Back on topinc, distilled water is very good, because the process evaporates the water collects the vapor then condenses it back to liquid leaving all the crap behind!

Samper · 09-12-2005, 09:19 PM

When I moved my 75g from it's first home to mine I wasn't able to bring all the water with me due to space issues so while I drove home I had my dad go to Wal Mart and pick up 30 gallons of water from their shelves. The ones I ended up with were run through an RO/DI and read 0 tds.

09-11-2005, 05:30 PM	#1
usscot555 Just Moved In Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Leesburg, FL Posts: 8	Distilled water I am sure you folks have answered it 100 times... but I am new, OK? Is there any problem using distilled water in a reef tank? Why or why not? I was given a distiller & sure would be nice to use it instead of having to buy RO water. What could I do to make it better? pass it through charcoal? UV? Richard

09-11-2005, 07:30 PM	#2
rayjay Citizen Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 154	If it has copper in the coils, then the leacheate can in time build up and kill invertebrates in the tank. __________________ *RAY'S REEF*

09-11-2005, 11:10 PM	#4
rayjay Citizen Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 154	The best water you could provide would be RO/DI with RO only, being second best. DI alone would be sufficient with many water supplys. I'm not sure just what all is removed in the distilling process, but I have a feeling that heavy metals and maybe more, are not removed. Distilled water would be considered not as good as DI or RO and especially RO/DI. That all being said, I have to admit that I use none of these as my water supply from the Great Lakes, and treated by the London water treatment facilities is good enough that all I do is age the water to let the chlorine dissapate. __________________ *RAY'S REEF*

09-11-2005, 11:55 PM	#5
kevinpo Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Spokane Valley WA Posts: 2,460	Distilled water from the store is equal to RO/DI and has 0 TDS. HTH, Kevin __________________ SPSguy On - On

09-12-2005, 11:43 AM	#6
*Reefland* Owner Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Bardstown, KY Posts: 13,161	I think good distilled water from teh grocery store is fine to you. You could still test it with a TDS meter for peace of mind but I agree with Kevin, I think you'll be just fine with it. The only thing that makes me say "I think" is I guess there's a chance that some stores sell "distilled water" that is just from their tap; not for certain and no proof but possible. __________________ Scott Z. 75 Gallon Reef Log Powered by Reefland's Personal Online Aquarium Log

09-12-2005, 11:59 AM	#7
kevinpo Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Spokane Valley WA Posts: 2,460	Scott, I have tested several brands and they all read 0 TDS. HTH, Kevin __________________ SPSguy On - On

09-12-2005, 12:11 PM	#8
*Reefland* Owner Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Bardstown, KY Posts: 13,161	Yup, I totally agree Kevin. I only mention testing for peace of mind because I know there are some debates about the quality of so called bottled and distilled water. I recently heard that Aquafina was nothing more than tap although I don't believe that. I have heard of people making these claims though... __________________ Scott Z. 75 Gallon Reef Log Powered by Reefland's Personal Online Aquarium Log

09-12-2005, 12:24 PM	#9
Poseidon Moderator Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Swartz Creek, MI Posts: 6,539	To get OT Mountain Spring is from the tap in Northern MI, it is true that they have a "spring" but certainly no MOUNTAINS! The "factory" there caused a big stir when they started sucking out MILLIONS of gallons! Back on topinc, distilled water is very good, because the process evaporates the water collects the vapor then condenses it back to liquid leaving all the crap behind! __________________ Need a Photographer? Just say NO to CRABS Mike

09-12-2005, 09:19 PM	#10
Samper Contributing Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,768	When I moved my 75g from it's first home to mine I wasn't able to bring all the water with me due to space issues so while I drove home I had my dad go to Wal Mart and pick up 30 gallons of water from their shelves. The ones I ended up with were run through an RO/DI and read 0 tds. __________________ Keep your heart pure conceive your own dreams Respect your fellow man the earth and the trees.

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