Bought water in North East

[gaspipe1]

I think I want to start a Pico Jar/Vase as my first tank. I'm doing a lot of research on it and this site has been amazing.

 

I live in NJ/NY area and don't want to buy a RODI system. But wanting to use distilled water as an almost last resort (I think buying SW from my LFS would be last resort). What options do I have? Can anyone in the NY/NJ area offer advice on stored and brands that offer 0 TDS water?

 

Convenient stares are : CVS, ShopRite, Food Emporium, Kings Supermarket, Target, and Walgreens.

 

Walmart along with some other big block stores are available but kinda more of an inconvenience.

 

Thanks so much for the help!

[seabass]

Distilled water from any of those stores should be fine. I've used Target's distilled water before.

[gaspipe1]

Thank you @Seabass

 

I've read here that some of the larger big block stores actually sell RO/DI water. I've never noticed, nor have I looked.

 

Perhaps distilled in the beginning and at some point buy a system.

[seabass]

I've never seen anybody (besides local fish stores) selling RO/DI. However, most sell RO drinking water of some sort (some add minerals for taste). When I first started, I purchased RO water from one of those self serve machines. It tested at 40 ppm of nitrate (I'm not even sure what the TDS might have been). Then I switched to a LFS's RO/DI water (there were particles floating around in it).

 

I've been recommending jugs of distilled for anybody who doesn't own and maintain their own RO/DI system. In the long run, a RO/DI system costs less than driving to a store and hauling water around. At about a nickel a gallon, it's the cheapest (and most convenient) option and will pay for the system relatively quickly.

[GunslingerGirl]

Hi- I used to use distilled. But I found a friend who I now give her like idk... 10 cents a gallon?... for RO/DI. I like the safety of RO/DI over distilled. As in I don't have to test every bottle with my meter (never had anything other than 0 TDS......I'm just paranoid)

 

That being said.... it worked well for me to use distilled in my five gallon for 5 years... so it works. Just is more expensive in the long run.

 

I now have a 25 gallon and I wouldn't recommend trying to keep up with those costs with distilled. Buy an RO/DI if you have anything above 10 gallon IMO. I'm getting one for X-mas.

[seabass]

Buy an RO/DI if you have anything above 10 gallon IMO. I'm getting one for X-mas.

Don't forget to buy one of these (helps prevent water damage):

[gaspipe1]

I think once I get the tank set up and the wife calms down I'll sneak that system into the basement

 

Better to ask for forgiveness then permission. Then I can research a good setup for RODI and SW systems. LOL it really never does end.

[seabass]

Then I can research a good setup for RODI and SW systems. LOL it really never does end.

Here's a good one for a good price: http://spectrapure.com/Refurbished-90-GPD-RODI-System

[gaspipe1]

Here's a good one for a good price: http://spectrapure.com/Refurbished-90-GPD-RODI-System

 

Awesome, I saved the link for further down the road. Being refurbished you have no concerns? Also this takes standard filters?

[AZDesertRat]

Don't let the refurbished name fool you, everything is brand new. A bracket or housing may have a scuff or scratch so can't be sold as new. Yes they use standard 10" filters but make sure you use only their high quality replacements, they are much better than most anywhere else and pay for themselves in longer component life