Is it ok to use tap water for qt?

JMLewis · Nov 21, 2015

As the title says...

I can make some RODI but seeing if i can be lazy about this and just use tap to mix with salt for a QT.

I plan on using Prazi and cupramine. Ive ran very successfull QTs in the past but i broke my own golden rule about Quarantining and now have ich....of course. *facepalm*

twilliard · Nov 21, 2015

I wouldn't the chlorines or chloramines may not be good for the animals
Maybe treat the tap water? But you have an interesting question!

Breakthecycle2 · Nov 21, 2015

If you have RO/DI, why use tap?

Dastins · Nov 21, 2015

I wouldn't use tap.

melypr1985 · Nov 21, 2015

Ok. Here's the skinny on the tap water. To use that in your QT you would need to use a water conditioner such as Prime to make it safe for the fish to live in. The problem comes when you add copper to the tank as you mentioned you plan to do. These two dont mix. The water conditioner will render the copper toxic and kill your fish. I'd suggest to follow the advice already given. Please use RODI water to mix your salt. Happy Reefing

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 21, 2015

It is probably OK unless there's chloramine in it.

Diesel · Nov 21, 2015

JMLewis · Nov 21, 2015

Haha ok got it. Yea I'm sure there's chloramines in it since it's not well water.

So yeah didn't want to spend the 8 or so hours it'll take to make the water but yea kinda figured it was a dumb question.

Thanks all!

melypr1985 · Nov 21, 2015

JMLewis said:
Haha ok got it. Yea I'm sure there's chloramines in it since it's not well water.

So yeah didn't want to spend the 8 or so hours it'll take to make the water but yea kinda figured it was a dumb question.

Thanks all!

Never a dumb question! It's good to ask before doing.

JMLewis · Nov 21, 2015

Being lazy put me in this predicament...you'd think I'd learn.

melypr1985 · Nov 21, 2015

JMLewis said:
Being lazy put me in this predicament...you'd think I'd learn.

Eh. It happens to us all in one way or another. Sometimes we have to learn a lesson more than once for it to stick

Humblefish · Nov 21, 2015

melypr1985 said:
Ok. Here's the skinny on the tap water. To use that in your QT you would need to use a water conditioner such as Prime to make it safe for the fish to live in. The problem comes when you add copper to the tank as you mentioned you plan to do. These two dont mix. The water conditioner will render the copper toxic and kill your fish. I'd suggest to follow the advice already given. Please use RODI water to mix your salt. Happy Reefing

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
It is probably OK unless there's chloramine in it.

^^ I agree with both of the above. The only time you want to use "tap water" in QT is if you are sure it contains no chloramines and thus no need to use a water conditioner. However, a thrifty/lazy hobbyist can use water from their DT to fill the QT. Make good use of your next water change.

Obviously, this only works if you are 100% confident that your display tank is disease free and don’t siphon anything off the bottom.

JMLewis · Nov 21, 2015

Just for the record i went ahead and set up the QT with NSW from the local FS. Heres to 72 days!

Used an old 30g "sump" for an old tank just had lying around

Using Seachem Stability, since i dont have a chance to use a seeded sponge, time is of the essence!