Reverse osmosis water

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thedarkone

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 10, 2010
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Spokane
Does anybody use RO water in his or her aquariums? I was reading about it and wondering does it really make that great of a difference? From what I read RO water will greatly affect your fishes behavior (as in it will act more naturally) and color. If so I will have save up some funds to get an RO filtration system. Some of them only go for like $130 which isn't too bad, but if it isn't all that it is cracked up to be I would rather spend the money somewhere else.

Does anybody know much about this, I really interested in hearing everybody's thoughts.
 
If You are looking to spawn Discus or a reef tank it's worth it but other wise I don't see where it would be helpful.Somone else may know a little more about it though
 
The purpose of an RO system is to strip water of minerals, etc. It is only useful for people who's water is too hard for their fish (Altum Angels, wild Discus, other blackwater types) or for topping off a salt water aquarium without changing the water chemistry.

RO water is not necessary, and could actually be harmful, for most fish.
 
RO is only useful for very specific applcations as stated above and is not nessisary in most other situations. It is not required for the CA/SA cichlids we keep. Wild Altum angles and wild Discus could benifit from it in a breeding program but you really have to know what you are doing.
 
RO/DI waters PH is pretty low as well as its hardness it is very useful for salt tanks because by adding salt mix and dosing other nutrients it mimics the properties of true salt water. As said before it isnt needed for the fish we keep except for some breeding programs, I use it to breed my apistos. Also you can find some good units for cheaper than 130 dollars. I got my 50 gallon per day unit for 100 dollars I found it on air water ice.com, this is what I have http://www.airwaterice.com/product/1MMDI/Mighty-Mite-50GPD-with-DI-Added.html
 
Too much work and its not at all necessary for these type of fish. Using R/O water for tankbuster Cichlids is like me drinking bottled water. Big waste of money!
 
if you use your tap water,,, not only will it need to be treated, it will evap and crust up everything ,, filter,,lid,,tank rim... im into south american,, so RO is a necessity for my fish,, i mix about 4 gal RO to one gal of tap, and treat for Chlorine etc... Most people that get an RO are glad they did... It all depends on the fish you plan to keep...
 
It's about providing optimal conditions for your Cichlids, especially if you're looking to breed some of the more difficult species.

I personally don't have an RO system, but I use different mixes of rain and tap water between my tanks to try and reach optimal pH levels. My Peruvian cube with Apistogramma sits at pH 5.5 with barely measurable levels of gH and kH (Don't have a TDS/Conductivity tester), my 6x2x2 uses a heavier tap mix and sits at 2dgH/2dkH and a pH of 7, etc.
 
When RO water is used as a mix I think it's does your fish some good. The fish in the amazon come from very clean almost pure water that's a low ph 6-5. Most tap water is 7.5-8.0 fine for most fish. If you have extra money and want the best or are doing a breeding project RO is the way to lower your ph. To use only RO water I think is over kill. There are trace minerals In tap water that are good for fish and plants. Mixing RO with tap water I think is great For our soft water fish. If you have the money and time to do it. I have been wanting a RO system but just don't have the time or money. My fish are fine with out it. I'm lucky I have soft water as is.

Peatmoss can be great to lower the ph and make the water more like the black water of the amazon.
 
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