I have recently purchased a reverse osmosis sysyem and was wondering if I were to use it and have the cleanest water possibe, what are some of the things that I would want to do to that water to make it as best as possible for my Jardini. I know that if I were to put that water straight into the tank that it would be way to clean for it. What should I do? Any help is appreciated.
R. O. System
- Thread starter Jbol
- Start date
What kind of trace elements or supplements. I would like to try to set up the best tank and water possible for it.
I have just begun using R/O for my freshwater setup. I'm no expert but the research I've done suggests that the waste water produced by the R/O system is approximately 20% higher in Total Dissolved Solids than the drinking water it produces. If this is true, the waste water is actually still useable for aquarium purposes. It has been processed with the carbon and sediment filters already so it is actually very clean compared to straight tap water. The waste water should still contain some trace elements necessary for the fishes to thrive.
What I am NOT sure about is whether or not mixing the waste water with R/O water is enough trace element replenishment to sustain the fish.
To be certain, one can add someting like R/O Right (manufactured by KENT) which is specifically manufactured for this purpose.
I like the idea of using some of the water the R/O system would normally waste because it seems like the right thing to do. We know all chlorine and chloramine has been removed by the pre-filters so why not?
*CAUTION:
I work for a company that sells water treatment systems and one thing I see alot is that cheaper R/O systems will be configured in a way that would make using the waste water dangerous.
Some systems do not utilize a CARBON filter for the incoming water BEFORE it goes through the R/O membrane. Some systems filter in the following orde assuming a TFC (Thin Film Composite) membrane is used (most common).
1. Sediment
2. R/O mebrane
3. Carbon Block or Granulated Activated Carbon Filter
4. Out to tap or pressure tank.
This means two things... first that chlorinated water is being pushed through the membrane and this is not good for the membrane. Second... and more importantly, the waste water will undoubtedly contain highly concentrated levels of chlorine or chloramine.
The order you want to see is as follows.
1. Sediment (5 micron)
2. Carbon Block or Granulated Activated Carbon Filter
3. Sediment (1 micron)
4. R/O Membrane (Thin Film Compsoite)
5. Out to tap or pressure tank. My system also has an Inline Carbon between the tank
and tap to polish the drinking water. But I have a "T" split on the tank so that I can
bypass the inline carbon and open a valve straight from the tank to the aquarium.
Some systems skip step 3 which is fine. I use step 3 because it makes the membrane last longer.
Anyway, I'm no expert but I have started to use 2 parts R/O water to 1 Part waste water in my water changes. Hopefully it goes well.
Shane