Ok to wait a week without biocide?

[Spev]

Just wondering how quickly any algae could grow. I'll have all my parts except my biocide in a couple days. Biocide comes next week (only one shipping option and was like a week). My question is with distilled water is it gonna be fine to run the loop for about a week without adding biocide? Or should I wait and do it when I set it up.

 

P.S. Rip to the LTT forums yesterday wtf!

[SuperPug]

Considering that you can store normal tapwater for months without it going bad i'd think that distilled water will last more than a few days without any additives.

[QueenDemetria]

Your system will get infected within minutes, if not seconds if you don't use Bioside. If you wait a week your system will look like a mossy forest.

 

Just kidding, you will be fine waiting a week. I am running a mixed metal system with distilled water and I have been fine for the week that it has been running. I haven't used a bioside and probably won't since I simply don't care, but for a week you won't have any issues. I did some reading and some people use a small amount of isopropyl alcohol for the "when in doubt", but since you plan on adding stuff anyways I wouldn't bother.

[Jedicake]

Your system will get infected within minutes, if not seconds if you don't use Bioside. If you wait a week your system will look like a mossy forest.

Oh you make me giggle, QueenDemetria

[QueenDemetria]

Oh you make me giggle, QueenDemetria

:3

[n0mahd]

I haven't used any type of biocide at all. My loop has been up since September? I believe. Looks like day one. You'll be fine.

[paprikman]

There won't be any problem in a week, if u didn't spit in this water or making tea with it.

[GhostHitWall]

It depends on how well you seal your loop and the environment you live at.
But for the most part, a week is really just too short to grow anything. But for the record, don't wait until something grow and visible to deal with it.

[Peopie]

Your system will get infected within minutes, if not seconds if you don't use Bioside. If you wait a week your system will look like a mossy forest.

 

Just kidding, you will be fine waiting a week. I am running a mixed metal system with distilled water and I have been fine for the week that it has been running. I haven't used a bioside and probably won't since I simply don't care, but for a week you won't have any issues. I did some reading and some people use a small amount of isopropyl alcohol for the "when in doubt", but since you plan on adding stuff anyways I wouldn't bother.

 

I wouldn't recommend having any amount of alcohol touching any acrylic, it can ruin the finish of it, and make it look ugly.

 

but as others have said, a week should be fine. Try to keep it out of the sunlight too.