am i going to need to add anything to r/o water if im going to use it for freshwater? whould tapwater conditioners be ok?
r/o freshwater?
- Thread starter fatsolomon
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Howdy,
Yes, you need to add stuff, No, regular conditioner will not do the trick.
R/O water is just pure water. It lacks all electrolytes and trace elements necessary for life. If you put fish in pure water, they die by osmotic pressure.
There are two main ways to work with R/O water:
In doing so, you need to measure the water parameters and adjust the water treatment accordingly until you reach the desired target levels.
HarleyK
Yes, you need to add stuff, No, regular conditioner will not do the trick.
R/O water is just pure water. It lacks all electrolytes and trace elements necessary for life. If you put fish in pure water, they die by osmotic pressure.
There are two main ways to work with R/O water:
- Cut it with tap water
- Add aquarium salt mixes for freshwater
In doing so, you need to measure the water parameters and adjust the water treatment accordingly until you reach the desired target levels.
HarleyK
Topping off with R/O water is fine, after all, you only substitute for evaporated (=pure) water.
However, and this only holds true for tanks with a canopy, when it's time to top off evaporated water, it's also time for a water change. Topping off is merely cosmetic and does not contribute to the improvement of water quality.
An R/O system is not cost-effective when used only for topping off, except when you have an 8' open tank with emersed macrophytes and/or heavy surface movement (i.e. heavy evaporation).
HarleyK
well, i have 16 tanks that evaporate water like crazy, but i most deff got the r/o di system for water changes. my tapwater has really high nitrates and high phosphate so thats why o got it but i will need to top off water often too.
It does work for SW as well, topping off you still just add the water and water changes you wix the R/O water with your marine mix in a container to thoroughly get it blended, waiting a few hours at least is good, do your tests then do the change.
For topping off a tank to substitute for evaporation: You can use pure R/O water
For water changes: You cannot use pure R/O water. You must add minerals/salt (either directly or indirectly by cutting with tap water).
HarleyK