paenian July 17, 2008 July 17, 2008 So we've been thinking about adding an RO/DI system to our tank. I don't like the amount of waste water produced, though, and living in a condo limits re-using it. We do have a balcony, though, and can collect rainwater - would this be a reasonable alternative? It has obvious limitations, but is there anything to worry about chemically? I would think it'd be a good supplement, but probably not plentiful enough to rely on (at least without a large collection system). Thoughts?
Brian Ward July 17, 2008 July 17, 2008 So we've been thinking about adding an RO/DI system to our tank. I don't like the amount of waste water produced, though, and living in a condo limits re-using it. We do have a balcony, though, and can collect rainwater - would this be a reasonable alternative? It has obvious limitations, but is there anything to worry about chemically? I would think it'd be a good supplement, but probably not plentiful enough to rely on (at least without a large collection system). Thoughts? Acid Rain. Very few places have rainwater that is pure water - to the level you'll get with RO/DI anyway. Also, you'll have animals (birds) that mess up your collection system, try to bathe in the water, leaves that will get caught, etc. Many things that can contaminate the water.
Jon Lazar July 17, 2008 July 17, 2008 Think about how our skimmers work. Rain drops in the atmosphere are just like air bubbles in water, except the bubble is turned inside out. Rain drops pick up and concentrate all kinds of contaminants as they fall through the atmosphere. Not something I would want to add to my tank. You can use your RO "waste" water to fill your washing machine though, if you have one inside your condo. Or water your yard if you have one. Jon
paenian July 17, 2008 Author July 17, 2008 Acid Rain is just CO2, though, and I've seen tanks up for sale/use on here several times. Are you sure the added carbon isn't a bonus? I'm not clear on what adding CO2 is supposed to do for a reef, and I'm sure it would need to be measured (pH, I'd assume).
ChrisS July 18, 2008 July 18, 2008 Acid Rain is just CO2, though, and I've seen tanks up for sale/use on here several times. Are you sure the added carbon isn't a bonus? I'm not clear on what adding CO2 is supposed to do for a reef, and I'm sure it would need to be measured (pH, I'd assume). Actually acid rain is mainly sulfur dioxides and nitrogen oxides. Then there's the heavy metals floating around in the air...and the VOCs although they may not hydrolize...and the chlorinated haydrocarbons..and the...well I can go on but you get the idea. Some are from industry but a great many are from our cars...most of them you don't want in your tank. Ever noticed how grey and soot covered cars, buses, buildings, everything in the city gets? or seen what comes out the stack of a metrobus? Rain will wash most of that out of the atmosphere and into the water. Even if you buffered it to stabalize the pH and off gassed the sulfer you still have all the metals and possible other crap to deal with. Rain water around here is pretty disgusting I wouldn't use it for my tank.
gmubeach July 20, 2008 July 20, 2008 You guys are both right its both mild acid and more sever acid depending on the time of the year:) I defenlty wouldn't use it especially if you live in an urban or suburan area you will have particulates and birds as for waste water put it into a britta drink it water plants be creative!
ctenophore July 20, 2008 July 20, 2008 I tested the TDS of a bucket of rain water; it was 15. If you used a collection barrel and put a small carbon filter on it (a hang-on-back or small phosban-style filter) you could probably get reasonably good water for a reef tank. Of course if the pollutant concentrations change by season then this might not work. I think I tested mine in spring.
YBeNormal July 20, 2008 July 20, 2008 Not everything registers on a TDS meter though (phosphates for example). IMHO, tap water is not expensive enough to justify the risks and costs of using rain water as a substitute.
paenian July 22, 2008 Author July 22, 2008 So if I moved to Alaska I could use melted snow... I think the present solution is to buy RO/DI and set up a hydroponic farm on the balcony.
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