Spring vs Reverse Osmosis

Discussion in 'New to Reefing' started by mcmusashi5, Jul 24, 2011.

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  1. mcmusashi5

    mcmusashi5 Octopus Wizard

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    So I was wondering, which one is better for our aquariums? I think this was posted a very long time ago on the site, but I forget the answer.
     
    mcmusashi5, Jul 24, 2011
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  2. mcmusashi5

    BL1 ............. Moderator

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    If you use the distilled water it's the same as RO/DI.
     
    BL1, Jul 24, 2011
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  3. mcmusashi5

    mcmusashi5 Octopus Wizard

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    This water was like from the perserved Colorado Springs
     
    mcmusashi5, Jul 24, 2011
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  4. mcmusashi5

    Jml32788

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    The water will still have phosphates in it, which will support a bloom of algae. The reason people use RO/DI water is because it is just H2o... nothing else.
     
    Jml32788, Jul 24, 2011
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  5. mcmusashi5

    Marines_Wife

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    Wait I could buy distilled and use it as RO/DI?
    What are the benefits to this?
     
    Marines_Wife, Jul 24, 2011
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  6. mcmusashi5

    BL1 ............. Moderator

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    There's no benefits to it really. You'll have to transport the distilled water back and forth, and it'll cost more then RO/DI.

    RO/DI has a higher start up cost since you have to buy the unit. But making the water will cost less then buying (plus the gas it costs to drive to the store).
     
    BL1, Jul 25, 2011
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  7. mcmusashi5

    Jml32788

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    I ment to add "RO/DI or Distilled water". But, I believe that RO/DI and distilled water can be treated as the same. Both should be just pure water. Just different methods. Someone can correct me if im wrong.

    The OP was talking about water from a natural spring. Which would not be considered RO/DI or Distilled water.
     
    Jml32788, Jul 25, 2011
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  8. mcmusashi5

    BL1 ............. Moderator

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    You are correct about the different methods. I thought the OP meant spring water as regular bottled water (like Poland Spring).
     
    BL1, Jul 25, 2011
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  9. mcmusashi5

    Jml32788

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    Either way, its not considered distilled water and would still offer the same problems tap water would. Right?
     
    Jml32788, Jul 25, 2011
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  10. mcmusashi5

    BL1 ............. Moderator

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    Maybe not all of the same problems as tap but yes, it would lead to some.
     
    BL1, Jul 25, 2011
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  11. mcmusashi5

    Smitty

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    You shouldn't use spring water because it has added minerals to it for our taste...those added minerals are not good for our systems. R/O water has been stripped of everything and is safer because of that.
     
    Smitty, Jul 25, 2011
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  12. mcmusashi5

    chuck78 The Reefanatic

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    Ro/di
     
    chuck78, Jul 25, 2011
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  13. mcmusashi5

    Marines_Wife

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    Either you explain things well or you break it down barney style for me LOL
     
    Marines_Wife, Jul 25, 2011
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    Smitty likes this.
  14. mcmusashi5

    mcmusashi5 Octopus Wizard

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    Actually the one that i found had no additives at all.
     
    mcmusashi5, Jul 25, 2011
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  15. mcmusashi5

    Marines_Wife

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    What is the brand?
     
    Marines_Wife, Jul 25, 2011
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  16. mcmusashi5

    mcmusashi5 Octopus Wizard

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    it was like staters brand
     
    mcmusashi5, Jul 25, 2011
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  17. mcmusashi5

    Marines_Wife

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    Like Stater Brothers Store???
    Really? Honestly I wouldnt trust it....just because it doesnt say its in there doesnt mean it isnt. Actually in a lot of foods and drinks certain levels of things only have to be reported to the consumer when it reaches a certain level.....
     
    Marines_Wife, Jul 25, 2011
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  18. mcmusashi5

    mcmusashi5 Octopus Wizard

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    you need more faith :p
     
    mcmusashi5, Jul 25, 2011
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  19. mcmusashi5

    Smitty

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    I'm not sure about the name, but I believe all spring water has minerals/elements added to it. So be careful. If you have no other option, then yeah, it's better than tap water, but not better than r/o.
     
    Smitty, Jul 25, 2011
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  20. mcmusashi5

    Marines_Wife

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    LOL I am an admitted perfectionist. I dont like to "make do" but I am always looking for the cheapest way to do things. That in mind sometimes spending the good money up front for the right stuff ends up saving you more money and heartache later.

    Save a penny spend a fortune...
     
    Marines_Wife, Jul 25, 2011
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