Distilled H2O + Seachem Salinity?

[Revenant]

Ok... Absolutely SICK of traveling of traveling to my nearest LFS for natural sea water for my 12 gallon FOWLR. Been using NSW for all of my marine tank projects since I started the hobby a few years ago. Never had a problem. I have a 10 gallon drum I fill up once or twice a week with NSW for my frequent water changes (about 30% twice a week)...the LFS is 30 min away. The NSW sells for .50 gal.

 

I can get bottled distilled for .64 gal and the LFS carries the 120 gal Seachem Salinity salt buckets. Not really willing to set up an RO/DI filter in my apt. Ready to save gas and time making my own water for the first time.

 

I have read through many threads about RO/DI vs RO vs Distilled without a true difinitive answer. How do you veterans feel about this mixture...?

 

And since I have been using NSW for my current setup (about 8 months), what's the best way to introduce the premade to the aquarium?

[Hexadron]

Not really willing to set up an RO/DI filter in my apt.

 

Why not? I have a condo and just have one under my kitchen sink. Due to me currently renting though, I didn't want to puncture any holes in the pipe, so it's totally temporary and I can move it whenever. I just have the faucet adapter.

 

I personally don't have too much trust in the grocery store distilled (if that's what you are talking about) You just don't have the control, and unless you test for TDS all the time, you really won't know how 'pure' it is. Besides if the TDS is too high - which could lead to algae (yuck!) what can you do besides change the water using it, or find another source. Could be wasted money, or just no good for your tank.

 

Just my $0.02

 

You'll find opinions on both sides about storing pre-mixed salt water, and I am on the opinion that it's totally fine. Some will say you need a heater and power head on while storing, while others say it's alright not to.

 

As long as the salt has no organics (Aquavitro Salinity doesn't) [one that does for instance is Tropic Marin Bio Actif] than there is nothing to break down. A tight seal is required if you don't keep the water moving, and making sure to start out with clean storage containers is important, as well as cleaning them out with vinegar or such occasionally.

 

Before you add the mix to your water change, it's a good idea to either shake up the container vigorously, or add to a bucket and run a powerhead (heater if needed to bring up temp as well if required) for an hour or so to level pH.

[Jackal_Knight]

Yeah I'd spring for a ro\di system too best decision I ever made. I used to buy distilled from the store for a while then I got tired of carrying jugs around every time I what to do a water change and for topping off. You can use distilled if you want it worked fine I never had a problem with it. I used it for a little more than a year I also used that seachem salt good stuff mixed fast and the corals liked it.

 

But the ro\di is just convenient you have no idea how nice it is to be able to make all the water you need right at home

[Revenant]

I have been using grocery store distilled (the individual sealed gallons, not the dispenser type - if it even makes a difference) for top offs for years in both my fresh and marine tanks. No noticeable algae outbreaks or problems at all. If I bought an RODI it would likely be a decent 4 stage... about $300+. Don't want to spend that type of jack right now.

[SteinsFish]

My LFS is about 15min drive from my place and so far I don't find it too bad to do a once a week trip for my NSW jugs.

 

Somehow, I feel its more work to prepare the RODI water and do the mixing weekly (assuming that's the water change frequency)

[Hexadron]

I have been using grocery store distilled (the individual sealed gallons, not the dispenser type - if it even makes a difference) for top offs for years in both my fresh and marine tanks. No noticeable algae outbreaks or problems at all. If I bought an RODI it would likely be a decent 4 stage... about $300+. Don't want to spend that type of jack right now.

 

Well the pre-packaged stuff is definitely more trustworthy. The only concern I have with the dispensers is you really don't know how often they change the filters. Especially at places like Wal-Mart

 

If distilled is working for ya, stay that route. I like making my own water just fine It's nice to have that extra bit of control IMO, making sure salinity is where you want it etc..