Do YOU use tap water for water changes?

[J2FcM]

Time for a water change!!!

I was advised that using tap water, de-chlorinating it, then mixing salt in it is not the BEST idea.

The reason given; it will add excess nutrients and will cause algae and other unwanted things to grow.

Is this true? Is this something to worry about in a small 8gal nano???
Any other disadvantages to using tap water?

Thanks!

[Riverfishgirl]

I wouldn't personally use tapwater on a saltwater tank. It's not as big a deal on a fish only tank, though it will often cause an ugly algae outbreak, but on a reef tank it can actually be harmful to your inhabitants. At the least it can cause algae to grow all over your corals and you don't want that.

[Emg]

Tap isn't a good idea for reefs.........though it depends on your water. Most water is full of dissolved solids and things you don't want in your tank (like copper).... that will build up and eventually cause issues. Just about every serious reefer will tell you to use only RO/DI water in a reef system.

Having said that.....I use my tap water. But, I tried it out first off, before I had anything of any value in the tank as far as coral goes. If anything went wrong it would not have been a huge loss as far as expense...it was only a 20long tank....and my water is very soft....

Also....just to let you know, I never test my water.......EVER anymore.....so I'm not someone you'd really want to take any advice from as far as how to run a reef system goes..... I've been blessed so far, but no telling how long that will last ....

There, it's out of the bag now......my credibility here is now completely shot !!


....

[RTR]

I used tap for FO tanks, but would not for a reef. Just not worth the risk to me.

No small part of testing is learning, and its value depends in part on past learning. I do not do much testing these days myself. When I do it is generally or most often to confirm what I already suspect from observation. But without all those myriad tests in the past, my eyes would not be so well trained to judge.

[Trixie]

Originally Posted by RTR

No small part of testing is learning, and its value depends in part on past learning. I do not do much testing these days myself. When I do it is generally or most often to confirm what I already suspect from observation. But without all those myriad tests in the past, my eyes would not be so well trained to judge.

Pithy as ever, MrR.

[Slick Fork]

as has already been stated, tap is not good for reef but tolerable for a fish only system. The bad effects will actually be exaggerated in such a small system.