R/O

[xamdarb]

just curious what does it mean R/O

 

[DevilsAdvocate]

R/O = Reverse Osmosis.

Somebody else will be able to explain what it is better, as I'm not too sure right now and my lecturer is just coming...EEEK!

 

[xamdarb]

wich is....???

 

[modernhamlet]

Learn how to use google.

Reverse Osmosis and how it relates to fishkeeping:
http/www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article....tid=421&aid=842

 

[BLASK]

google ownz j00.

btw since the topic is r/o anyway, I was wondering if distilled water I buy from the store the same effect that r/o water does? i use 50% tap and 50% distilled for my 20gal planted. tap kh is 2-3 degrees.

 

[a.d.wood]

Hi there,

Essentially distilled and RO are the same for the context we use them in.

In reallity, RO membranes remove up to approx 95% of the contaminants (depend on many factors including feed water pressure, temperature, contaminant levels) wheras distiled will remove 100% of the contaminants.

Andrew

 

[DaveW]

I was reading about the r/o's my self, and it said about having to add in bits to make it suitable for the tank. So, does any one know what I would have to add to make acidic water?

 

[a.d.wood]

Hi there

As neat R/O or distilled water contains no minerals it can be detrimental to the health of the fish (probably more due to the fact that there is nothing present to buffer the pH of the water) and it is the resulting wide swings in pH that could endanger the life of your fish.

For my south american dwarf tanks, I run my R/O water to a 350 litre water butt, I then circulate this water through a 150 litre water butt filled with irish moss peat for at least 24 hours before I use it for water changes. This gives me 1 degree GH, <1 degree KH and a pH of about 5.6. Seems to do the trick with most of the wild caught south american dwarves spawning, now if only the Nanochromis transvestitus would follow suit as well.....

There are commercial preparations fr remineralising the water to the appropriate hardness, and people will mix with tap water as well to adjust to the required hardness.

Andrew

 

[DaveW]

Thank you Andrew.
I think I understand , the water is made .....er ....empty by the R/O filter. Then you add minerals to give the chemisty that you requier. So, if you ran the water through limestone(I think) you would have alkaline water, because the water would pickup the minerials it needed to have a high Ph.
Well I Think that's right!?!
I'm not ready to go that far myself, but I might have a go in the future.
Thanks again.

 

[KageBunshin]

For my discus tank I use 80% R/O water and the rest aged tap. I add an Indian almond leaf to simulate blackwater effects (lower Kh and PH). Driftwood and peat does the same thing for water.