Reverse Osmosis Water And Systems

[m1lky12]

So I've had my 175L South American tank set up for about 6 months now and all is going good, however I've been contemplating moving over to RO water to take it another step further in recreating the natural conditions and making it more of a biotope, also my LFS have quite a few tanks with RO water in where they generally keep their more interesting and unusual SA fish which would make it easier for me to acclimatise them and also to buy them (the store won't usually sell them fish from their RO section if the customer doesn't also have RO water).
 
Now I'm asking for opinions on what would be the most viable way of doing this, I've got a brief understanding of what is needed and how it works and a quick google search has shown me that for an actual unit it's going to be minimum of £70, or on the other hand I could go into my LFS before each water change or stock up on RO water.
 
If anyones got any opinions on which way to go or which units they'd recommend it would be much appreciated!

 

[TwoTankAmin]

It isn't quite so simple as "doing ro water" and fish from SA are in all kinds of water. You are dealing with several parameter issues hear so lets start out by finding out what you want to change and why. I keep some SA fish at 7.0 and others at 6 up from the low 4s. Some are at 50 ppm TDS and other are nearer 100 ppm. Some are in stained water.
 
What are your values now for the following and to what do you want to change them and why, especially if your fish are currently thriving in their current conditions?
 
pH
TDS
KH
 
I run ro/di and drop some or all 3 on a few tanks so hopefully can help with this.

 

[DrRob]

I suspect that people will expect me to say this, but here goes.
 
Only mess with your water if you intend to continue doing it long term. Remembering those once in a blue moon 90% water changes because someone sprayed fly killer at your tank or something equally stupid will mean that you'll need to always have RO about or an RO source (and 25l barrels aren't the smallest or lightest things in the world, as my OH complains constantly when I leave them in front of the washing machine).
 
That aside it gives you great control over the water, but you can't use it neat, you have to cut it with something. I personally use dry salts, as I don't see the point in getting high quality water and then putting rubbish back in it, but people do do that.
 
Choice of a unit or supply from the LFS depends a lot on how easy it is for you to get to your LFS. Mine is far enough away that it would cost enough to keep travelling for water that a unit wasn't too expensive an option.
 
By the way, they don't cost £70, you can pick up small ones for a lot less.
 
http/www.vyair.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=54

 

[m1lky12]

Thanks for the quick reply, I know it's not as simple as it seems and agree with what you have said, was just something I've began to look into so just looking for a starting point really. Unfortunately since I've changed tanks I haven't been able to measure the pH, all I had was an old kit which I got from the person who sold me the tank and it turned out to be years old and giving out odd results, I'll try get one over the weekend. All I know is that my Rummys are coloured up and looking good so there isn't a cause for concern really. What I'll do is find these results and post them when I do.



 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

I suspect that people will expect me to say this, but here goes.
 
Only mess with your water if you intend to continue doing it long term. Remembering those once in a blue moon 90% water changes because someone sprayed fly killer at your tank or something equally stupid will mean that you'll need to always have RO about or an RO source (and 25l barrels aren't the smallest or lightest things in the world, as my OH complains constantly when I leave them in front of the washing machine).
 
That aside it gives you great control over the water, but you can't use it neat, you have to cut it with something. I personally use dry salts, as I don't see the point in getting high quality water and then putting rubbish back in it, but people do do that.
 
Choice of a unit or supply from the LFS depends a lot on how easy it is for you to get to your LFS. Mine is far enough away that it would cost enough to keep travelling for water that a unit wasn't too expensive an option.
 
By the way, they don't cost £70, you can pick up small ones for a lot less.
 
http/www.vyair.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=54

Thanks for the reply as well! It's something I don't mind having about the house as I'll find a home for the container so that's wouldn't be a problem and I've got a few LFS near so that wouldn't matter either.
 
I did read that you need to re add minerals and whatnot back in so dry salts would work in the same way?
 
And that's a good shout with that one, thanks for that, bookmarked if I do decide to go through with RO 

.
 
Like i said to TwoTankAmin I'm not sure of my exact results right now but when I do I'll post them on here and we can go from there, you guys have been a big help!



WebRep

 
currentVote
 
 
noRating
noWeight

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

[m1lky12]

Think I've abandoned thoughts of using RO water for the time being guys, thanks for the advice, I know where to come if I do decide to go with it in the future!