can i use distilled water for a small tank

[ailing]

hi, anyone using distilled water to setup their tank? (i am talking abt using those 100% distilled drinking water which can be bought from NTUC)

is it ok to use this type of distilled water to setup a 2ft small tank? still trying to save $$$ for RO/DI(it's too expensive for me).

remember reefer brother Gouldian mention abt using this type of water to top up tank water(for those who dowsn't have RO/DI).

Just wondering is it better to use normal tap water (plus Seachem Prime) or to purely use this type of distilled water which selling in NTUC. can all experience reefer pls advise

my tank size is 2'x1'x1', thinking of keeping softies.

[FuEl]

Yes you can. You won't be tied down with diatom blooms if you use distilled water as they don't contain the silicates needed by diatoms. Just make sure that future top ups or water changes utilize distilled water as well if not it defeats the purpose of using it in the first place.

[ailing]

hi FuEl, thanks for the reply, in this case, need to get more cartons of distilled water from NTUC ...my arm will broke

but one thing i am not sure, since it's 100% distilled water, will it lack of other nature elements which needed by coral? (of course i will dose /monitor calcium, iodide, strontium,.....)

so, what do you suggest, if to compare from the following source of water:

which is reconmended?

1) purely use bottled distilled water

2) buy sea water from LFS

3) use tap water+Seachem Prime

4) mixture of the above

all commend/ advise are welcome

[madmac]

Since you're setting up, you may as well choose the cheapest option of buying natural sea-water from one of the LFS. In Pasir-Ris, you could get $2 for 25L, thats a total of 4 bucks only. And if you need to chuck it away, because you'll need to cycle your tank water, jus buy some extra.

IMHO its the best among the various you provided. You'll meet other pressing matters besides choosing jus water, choice of LRs and its arrangement, filtration and flow, lighting and temp...

... and welcome to SRC and to the joys of reefing. : )

[valerossi]

If u got transport, buy seawater from LPS is the best way.

[colinsoon]

sorry just wondering, can i use newater? cos i have like a lot of it.....

[somebody]

i don't see why not? =) should be good. since its industrial quality i think. =)

[rapalla]

hi, anyone using distilled water to setup their tank? (i am talking abt using those 100% distilled drinking water which can be bought from NTUC)

is it ok to use this type of distilled water to setup a 2ft small tank? still trying to save $$$ for RO/DI(it's too expensive for me).

remember reefer brother Gouldian mention abt using this type of water to top up tank water(for those who dowsn't have RO/DI).

Just wondering is it better to use normal tap water (plus Seachem Prime) or to purely use this type of distilled water which selling in NTUC. can all experience reefer pls advise

my tank size is 2'x1'x1', thinking of keeping softies.

Yap, you can proceed to use distilled water... but however you must stablize it with necessary supplement such as trace element etc.... another choice you can try natural sea water at LFS... i can say they have the natural best element for your water to be in good condition.

[ailing]

thanks for all the sharings