Indianapolis Water Question

[Crutch]

Hi! New to the forum and brand new to the hobby.

I'm planning my first saltwater tank. I live in Indianapolis (about 3 miles northeast of Premium Aquatics, as a matter of fact) and I'm hoping someone here is knowledgeable about our municipal water.

I just aquired a 120 lb. tank and I plan to ease into things slooowly. I plan to start with live rock, live sand, a couple hardy fish, and some reef janitors. Eventually (couple years down the road) I'd like to have corals, anemones, add a refugium, etc.

My question is what if anything can I do with municipal water? I won't be able to invest in an RO/DI system any time soon. I have a water softener if that's relevant. Are there additives I can use along with a salt mix to make my tap water usable?

A few years ago I read the Conscientious Marine Aquarist, so my only knowledge of saltwater aquariums is what I retained from that. Obviously I'll be doing more reading, but if someone from the area would like to take on an apprentice, I'm game! :)

[sct]

Without good water your tank will have continual problems. You need to use RO/DI water, as Indy's municipal water supply, untreated, is not good for aquariums. Pick up a TDS meter from Premium Aquatics, I use a Com 100 from HM Digital, they run around $50. With the meter you can measure how bad your water is. RO/DI water has TDS less than 1% if good filters are used. You may be able to get DI water from Uncle Bills, The Reef or Aqua Systems. Abyss, on 65th street, sells RO water.

[pwoller]

The tap water in Indianapolis is horrible. Mine registers 350 TDS out of the tap. RO/DI unit is the single best investment I've made for my tank and drinking water.

[Kumquat]

Store such as Marsh, Kroger, and Wal-Mart also had a RO water machine. They use to run around $0.35/gallon a couple of years back - not sure what they are now. You do not want to use tap water to ease into the hobby, it will just cause you problems. Many newbie started this way and then left out of frustration.

[popular123]

I won't be able to invest in an RO/DI system any time soon. I have a water softener if that's relevant. Are there additives I can use along with a salt mix to make my tap water usable?

[popular123]

You do not want to use tap water to ease into the hobby

[BobT]

If you want to experiment with tap water, use something that takes out chlorine and chloramine such as Prime. You might be able to get away with it if you just have some hermit crabs, damsels, or some really hardy species. Using carbon in your filter will help too. There are some times in summer ( I think ) when the city adds chemicals to kill algea. I don't know if you could call the water company to get more information, but it couldn't hurt. Like the others, I would have to agree that when you get into the hobby seriously you should use RO water. You can invest in a unit that makes it such as some sold by Premium Aquatics or by a water treatment retailer like Aqua Systems. Also Pet Stores like Uncle Bills sell it by the 5 gallon jug. So does Aqua Systems. Good Luck.