Rainwater for my reef? Its FREE! Bad Idea?

[rayray]

its been raining a few days, free H20! but is it good for my reef? have all the pollutants in the air been washed away? can I make it good for my reef?

so I collected some in cooking pots, took measurements

temp 54'F
pH ~ 5.2 (not accurate as I dont have a good low pH kit)
SG ~ 1.01 (zeroed against my RODI)
TDS ~0
nitrate 0
nitrite 0
ammonia 0
calcium 0
alk 0
phos 0
mg 0

so I drank some and Im still alive. its clear bacause I did NOT collect it from my roof (rainwater collection system), straight into my cooking pot. its acidic prob because of the CO2 & smog in the air. can I just buffer it and use it for ATO &/or salt mix?

 

[LAreefguy]

Very interesting, I don't see why not.


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[tofucube]

I don't see why not. Excellent way to conserve water. The CO2/smog concern may be valid for the first few hours of good rain but I think should be good after that.

 

[erictorres0311]

If you do use it, keep us updated

 

[Fly5150]

The guy that was giving away Xenia colonies on here with the webcam has an outdoor that he tops off with rainwater I think.


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[Fly5150]

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[Zoarder]

Very interesting... if so imma start collecting tomorrow if its still raining

 

[ngvu1]

Can we see what the TDs of rain water looks like?

 

[zigginit]

im not sure that it does not hold other thing found in a gas state in the sky. I don't know what they are but acid rain come to mind. maybe on a smaller scale?

 

[rayray]

Can we see what the TDs of rain water looks like?

Wha?
Old Handheld TDS meter reads almost zero, nil, nada, zip, bagel...

 

[rayray]

im not sure that it does not hold other thing found in a gas state in the sky. I don't know what they are but acid rain come to mind. maybe on a smaller scale?

Methinks youre probably right, but since all the tests i use on RODI / salt mix / tank water cant detect it, i guess the only way to find out is to use it & see if it makes a difference on the coral

 

[lurking]

wait the tds is zero but the sg is over 1.0?

 

[rayray]

wait the tds is zero but the sg is over 1.0?

Yes, approximately. My tools not so accurate, im just posting my actual readings.

 

[mark.a.smith405]

Methinks youre probably right, but since all the tests i use on RODI / salt mix / tank water cant detect it, i guess the only way to find out is to use it & see if it makes a difference on the coral

I like your style Ray. Just try it out and see what happens. I hope you document your progress here!

 

[solitude127]

Cylix [MENTION=3241]cymaster007[/MENTION] used to have an outdoor system and I think remember him saying some rain water got into his system and then his tank got infected with a brown algae of some sort. Maybe Cylix or other reefers with outdoor systems can chime in

 

[rayray]

I like your style Ray. Just try it out and see what happens. I hope you document your progress here!

I was only able to collect about 5-7 gallons in home depot buckets, because i dont want it to touch anything but air. I doubt this little amount will much difference but ill do it.

 

[Tangwich]

Very interesting... if so imma start collecting tomorrow if its still raining

Note to self: Stand on noah's roof and pee while he's collecting "rain water"

 

[ngvu1]

And why would you do that? If you can get to his roof with that purpose in mind, why not just aim straight to his DT? (At least it is warmer inside and the chance of getting hit by light night is down to near zero right?)

Note to self: Stand on noah's roof and pee while he's collecting "rain water"

 

[Tangwich]

And why would you do that? If you can get to his roof with that purpose in mind, why not just aim straight to his DT? (At least it is warmer inside and the chance of getting hit by light night is down to near zero right?)

Note to self: After "raining" on noah's parade, go to Vu's house and teach him the meaning of a joke. LMAO.

 

[ngvu1]

It is not raining today or tomorrow . I would have asked you to bring the pink boobie down when you are at it hahahahah!

Note to self: After "raining" on noah's parade, go to Vu's house and teach him the meaning of a joke. LMAO.