Can I Fix A Reverse Osmosis System Directly To A Freshwater Tank

[Sam-Baker]

I would like to know if i could have a Reverse Osmosis system directly filtering my tank along side my fluval fx 5?

Thanks in advance

 

[StandbySetting]

In theory yes, but why? RO water is totally unsuitable without adding the minerals back in.

 

[DrRob]

They also discard many times what they put back.

You can set up an automatic top up from a tank of RO water with a float switch.

 

[Sam-Baker]

I have a heavily planted tank and even with regular water changes and filter media changes (as recommended) the water never seems to be clear, My tank is a 400 litre panoramic tank 2ft deep 4ft wide 1.6ft long. I added a fluval fx5 about a year ago (despite being over sized for the tank) because the tank is heavily stocked and good water quality is a must for some of the species i keep. Looking at the tank from the front the tank is clear but looking at it from the side you can bearly see 1ft in as it looks a very light brown and murky.

 

[StandbySetting]

That'll be tannins, you'll still get them with RO water, try a little carbon and purigen.

 

[Sam-Baker]

That'll be tannins, you'll still get them with RO water, try a little carbon and purigen.

If not an ro system a carbon filter was my plan b, What causes the tannins? I know mopani wood can but mine have been in the tank for over a year and where boiled and stuff at the start so...

 

[StandbySetting]

It'll still be the wood, it can leach for years, just add some carbon into your filter and change it every few days, chances are it'll leach for another few years though.

 

[Sam-Baker]

It'll still be the wood, it can leach for years, just add some carbon into your filter and change it every few days, chances are it'll leach for another few years though.

Will a mechanical filter not remove this?

and thanks, pulling out my hair as it is currently a murky center piece in my room.

 

[StandbySetting]

What substrate are you using? any rocks? A mechanical filter will generally remove water particles, tannins are too small for a mechanical filter to remove. That is if it's tannins.

Is the water cloudy? Or is it just clear but tinted brown?

 

[Sam-Baker]

What substrate are you using? any rocks? A mechanical filter will generally remove water particles, tannins are too small for a mechanical filter to remove. That is if it's tannins.

Is the water cloudy? Or is it just clear but tinted brown?

I use a standard gravel substrate and put tablets under the plants so they get the right nutrient balance... I have a huge emerald green rock in the centre of the tank and 2 small pieces of mopani wood oh and about 12 pebbles... the water does have a lot of whitish particles floating about but everything shows up fine on the water tests.

 

[Lufbramatt]

filter media changes (as recommended)

could you explain this bit? filter media shouldn't ever really need changing, the filter manufacturers tell you to change it so they make more money. If youre changing filter media, the bacterial colony will never establish properly.

 

[Sam-Baker]

filter media changes (as recommended)

could you explain this bit? filter media shouldn't ever really need changing, the filter manufacturers tell you to change it so they make more money. If youre changing filter media, the bacterial colony will never establish properly.

The filter media i use has chemical attachments such as carbon sponges and such so needs to be changed.

 

[DrRob]

Change em for ordinary sponges or bio media of some kind and use the carbon if you need to clear something specific. Then leave them alone.