Changing To An Ro Unit

[rebrn]

Hello, I just found out today that at some point in the next few months our apartment complex will be installing RO units in all the apartments (my guess a bid to raise the rent). I was just wondering if there is anything that I need to do in order to switch over. I am assuming that the RO unit will change the pH of my water, so will it be ok to just start using the RO water for the water changes, or do I need to wean the RO water into the tanks more slowly? I generally do 25-35% per week unless there is something funky going on in the tank.

Thanks

 

[MewMew42]

RO i believe has a PH of 7 and contains no trace elements in it what so ever, its completely stripped down so it probably would be best to get some from your lfs for when you do water changes, i would wean it in slowly to just incase it shocks the fish!
http/www.theaquariumwiki.com/Trace_elements

Im not totally au fait with RO water but im sure someone else can point you in the right path

 

[rebrn]

Well currently my tap water has a pH of 7.2 - 7.4 depending on which tap I use. Strange I know, if I get it from the kitchen it is 7.4, it I get it from the bathroom it is 7.2. Anyway, the RO unit is only going onto the kitchen and bar sinks, so I suppose I could change and start getting my water from the bathroom and avoid the RO unit, but I kind of liked the idea of using RO water, from my understanding if you use RO you don't have to use conditioners, but I might be wrong on that.

 

[drobbyb]

You have to be very careful. Pure RO water is nothing but water. There aren't any of the essential trace elements, buffers, minerals, etc that are required for life. RO units are great for saltwater tanks because the salt mix contains all the necessary nutrients, but for freshwater it's horrid. Even people who keep discus and use RO cut the RO with tap water to make sure that there are enough trace elements and minerals.

Do you know if they are going to have pure RO from the tap or still have tap water and an RO outlet? This could be a very bad thing if the only water you are going to have is RO. There is a good amount of waste water from a RO unit, making them expensive to operate as well.

If you are forced to use RO, I believe that some LFS sell the trace elements and minerals you need, but they might be hard to locate. Regular tap water is best for freshwater.

 

[rebrn]

I am not sure actually, we just got the notice today, so I haven't actually seen the unit. But the notice did say it was only going to be installed on the kitchen and bar sinks, so the bathroom (tubs and sinks) will still have regular tap water, so I guess I can just get the water from the bathroom instead. I have tested the water that comes from the bathtub and the sinks in the bathroom and it is the same water stats as the kitchen tap, except the pH out of the bathrooms is a tad lower 7.2, kitchen is 7.4 so not that big of a difference. I guess I will just weaning onto the bathroom water now that way they can get used to it and then just stick with the bathroom water after that. Seems easier than trying to mess with minerals .

Thanks