RO/DI substitute?

[Darbex]

If you do low-end or softies then you can get away with tap water. But I wouldn't personally go with out RODI on high-end corals or especially SPS to sensitive

[Houston713Texan]

Here is a tank that has never seen RO/DI water..

IMG_20130503_163014.jpgi have been running a setup with a canister and tap water for about 2yrs now. keeping sps and corals of all sort. the only problem i ever had was my ex putting my tank on the porch in one of the coldest days,and killed almost everything. but i pretty much started over, with corals and fish besides a very few.. this happened in sept. got the tank going smooth and beasting with tap water. water change and 2part dosing is all i really do. oh deff keep a skimmer going.

[aggrofishkeeper]

I hear people say don't use tap water because of the high phosphates and it leads to algae....but people who use only RO/DI water get algae too?....I've asked 2 SW LFS around me and they say start with tap because I'm going to kill myself trying to get 210g of RO/DI water in to start the tank...

[Houston713Texan]

i know they say alot of bad things about tap. i started an LA and endend up back in houston with my tank, using tap all along the way. the only time i had an algea bloom was when i got my leds. cut back the light 1 1/2 hrs cured algea problem real quick. in my ato water i put marine conditioner and ph stabelizer. in my canister i run ammo chips, carbon, and sponges. seems to work for me.

[rage]

i know they say alot of bad things about tap. i started an LA and endend up back in houston with my tank, using tap all along the way. the only time i had an algea bloom was when i got my leds. cut back the light 1 1/2 hrs cured algea problem real quick. in my ato water i put marine conditioner and ph stabelizer. in my canister i run ammo chips, carbon, and sponges. seems to work for me.

You can use tap water + marine conditioner, ph stabelizer, ammo chips, carbon or
You can use RO/ DI water.