[tech1]

I am planning to use water from my dad's home. He has his entire water supply running through a filter.

what elements should I check for? Which are bad?

thanks for any info.

[SPasse]

tech1,

This is a rather complex issue, as many of the things in tap water are pretty difficult to test for and/or the test kits are not commonly available.

In general these are some of the elements that can be a problem.

1 Nitrate

2 Phosphate

3 Silicate (Some people though, add this on purpose)

4 Heavy Metals such as copper, lead, Iron (excessive)

Of course chlorine and chlorine compounds need to be neutralized.

The bottom line is that the water that evaporates from your tank is “pure” water. If you replace it with tap water, you are skewing it towards higher concentrations of whatever is in your tap water.

The effect of this skewing, depends on how much of what is in you tap water, and if these additions are utilized by the biological/chemical processes in your system. Also of course, water changes.

This is why one person will say that they have had good luck with tap water, and another will swear that their new RO/DI unit cured their red slime, brown diatom, etc., etc., and... They are both correct.

Me, I use a RO/DI unit because I have first hand experience with purified water working better, for me. So to say that filtered water is “all hype” is IMHO not a correct statement.

If your tap water works for you (long term) more power to you, as you can save some money and just do chlorine neutralization.

Regards,

Scott Passe

[scubadude]

Scott pretty much covered them all....the only other thing I can think of is maybe Ammonia, and let me advise you NOT to use Amquel on conditioning your water....I think there are other ppl that will agree w/me on this that it can give you false readings on your ammonia, and totally confuse you.

[golfish]

Scott,
Very impressive, I was going to post a reply but just couldn't put it right (like I ever do) I never really thougth about evaporating "pure" water and concentrating the evils in our tap water. Your post really makes good sense......


Mark