At my wits end with my water chemistry...... Hoping to get a sanity check

[StevenF]

Water softeners work by replacing calcium and magnesium with sodium bicarbonate. Sodium bicarbonate will push the PH up. More plants will push the PH up even more because plants consume the carbonate resulting in Soodium hydroxide which pushes the ph up even more. Additionally most steams and lakes always have some sodium and som potassium. Water with just or sodium or mostly sodium is bad for fish health.

100 gallon per day RO system

This is the fastest and fastest RO system I know of. For your 75gallon you might want to consider the 50 gallon per day version. Us a commercial GH booster or make your own. with calcium gluconate or magnesiumgluconate. Natural was also always has calcium and magnesium which fish and plants need. (two talbspoon of calcium gluconate and 1 of magnesium gluconate and and mix in a container add only enough to your tank to reach one degree. Unless you have fish that need harder water. Ca Mg gulconate may resolve slowly but most should be dissolved within 30 minutes to an hour or less. Many commercial GH boosters have a too much CL or sulfur which may make the water a little acidic. Gluocnates don't do that.

Also put a sea shell or crushed coral in the the filter. This will keep your water very close to 7 if too much Cl or sulfur gets into the tank. Amazon sells calcium gluconate and magnesium gluconate. You will need to use a fertilizer if you have plants. in the tank. So a water change once a week.

 

[StevenF]

so they do work with house softened water... but, it probably plugs the filters quicker??? my unit said to change the filters every 6 months... mine is like at 4-5 months old right now, & it's taking about 1/3 longer to fill my collection barrel

RO systems tend to clog up with hard water faster than softer. Often it is iron that is the problem. Had water typically has too much iron. Water softeners typicality remove iron.and other metal that can quickly clog RO filters. Note RO systems will remove excess sodium. Note I use 100% RO water in my aquarium. Although I am not using a high flow RO system. ( I don't need it. I have a small tank. I typically do a 50% water change weekly without using a water conditioner.(don't need it RO removes Chlorine

I can’t. It’s for the house water. We are on a well with hard water so it helps that.

Typically on the interior house water is softened. Outside faucets topically are not softened. Test your outside faucets for GH and KH There should b a clear difference between well and softened water. Sometimes nets to the water softener you will find a facet that is unsoftened water.

 

[Sleeveless]

RO systems tend to clog up with hard water faster than softer. Often it is iron that is the problem. Had water typically has too much iron. Water softeners typicality remove iron.and other metal that can quickly clog RO filters. Note RO systems will remove excess sodium. Note I use 100% RO water in my aquarium. Although I am not using a high flow RO system. ( I don't need it. I have a small tank. I typically do a 50% water change weekly without using a water conditioner.(don't need it RO removes Chlorine



Typically on the interior house water is softened. Outside faucets topically are not softened. Test your outside faucets for GH and KH There should b a clear difference between well and softened water. Sometimes nets to the water softener you will find a facet that is unsoftened water.

I will check my hose line. I also have a bleed port right after my sediment filter that is even easier to get to and is before my water treatment system. I’ll pull a sample from that and see what the readings are. It’s odd. The PH and KH rise. The GH stays low out of the faucet and I adjust up with wonder shells.

 

[Sleeveless]

Water softeners work by replacing calcium and magnesium with sodium bicarbonate. Sodium bicarbonate will push the PH up. More plants will push the PH up even more because plants consume the carbonate resulting in Soodium hydroxide which pushes the ph up even more. Additionally most steams and lakes always have some sodium and som potassium. Water with just or sodium or mostly sodium is bad for fish health.

100 gallon per day RO system

This is the fastest and fastest RO system I know of. For your 75gallon you might want to consider the 50 gallon per day version. Us a commercial GH booster or make your own. with calcium gluconate or magnesiumgluconate. Natural was also always has calcium and magnesium which fish and plants need. (two talbspoon of calcium gluconate and 1 of magnesium gluconate and and mix in a container add only enough to your tank to reach one degree. Unless you have fish that need harder water. Ca Mg gulconate may resolve slowly but most should be dissolved within 30 minutes to an hour or less. Many commercial GH boosters have a too much CL or sulfur which may make the water a little acidic. Gluocnates don't do that.

Also put a sea shell or crushed coral in the the filter. This will keep your water very close to 7 if too much Cl or sulfur gets into the tank. Amazon sells calcium gluconate and magnesium gluconate. You will need to use a fertilizer if you have plants. in the tank. So a water change once a week.

Now that is a great price on that RO. I’m going to read more about it and could split it off my other RO tap since I have the small system for drinking water

I’m going to read more about your GH booster but would the wonder shells I use do what is needed or is what you recommended a better solution?

I currently use root tabs for my plants as well.

 

[StevenF]

I’m going to read more about your GH booster but would the wonder shells I use do what is needed or is what you recommended a better solution?

I haven't used wonder shells. So I have no experience with them. in most lakes and steams a large amount of the KH is from Calcium carbonate or magnesium carbonate. which the KH and GH test will detect. But Ca and Mg carbonates only dissolve in acidic water water but not in neutral or alkaline water. As a result Ca and Mg carbonates often don't push Water PH above 7. Note in tap water some sodium or potassium bicarbonate may be added to control pipe corrosion. Theses can push the PH and KH up but water may not have cCa or Mg carbonate resulting in a highKH and and a lower GH level.

Ca Mg chlorides and sulfates are common in GH boosters because they dissolve more easily. But as I mentioned these Tend to push the ph down. As plants consume a lot Ca and Mg and and leave eh excess Cl and Sulfate behind. IN a tank with no plants or algae issues commercial GHboosters probably won't cause a PH issue. plants do need a small amount of Cl and sulfur but they need a lot more calcium and magnesium.

.But I also stated to add a shell or coral in the filter. These will not resolve in neutral or alkaline water. But if excess Cl and Sulfate are pressent the shells or coral will will react and convert the Ca Mg sulfates or chlorides which don't affect PH. So tanks with Ca Mg carbonate like to settle at about a pH of 7. You might have to add more shells or coral about once a year. These are cheep and in my experience work very well. Some fertilizers will also have too much sulfur and these can also push the PH down. So the shells or coral will control PH regardless are were the CL or sulfate comes from.

Ca and Mg gluconates don't have Cl or sulfur. The gluconate is mainly a type of sugar molecule. Plants need more carbonate than anything else so if anything build sup in the tank will be Ca or Mg which will naturally react with CO2 forming Ca or MG carbonate. Plants and soft water fish don't need much GH So I only recommend adding enough to reach one Degree GH unless your have fish that need hard water.

 

[Sleeveless]

I haven't used wonder shells. So I have no experience with them. in most lakes and steams a large amount of the KH is from Calcium carbonate or magnesium carbonate. which the KH and GH test will detect. But Ca and Mg carbonates only dissolve in acidic water water but not in neutral or alkaline water. As a result Ca and Mg carbonates often don't push Water PH above 7. Note in tap water some sodium or potassium bicarbonate may be added to control pipe corrosion. Theses can push the PH and KH up but water may not have cCa or Mg carbonate resulting in a highKH and and a lower GH level.

Ca Mg chlorides and sulfates are common in GH boosters because they dissolve more easily. But as I mentioned these Tend to push the ph down. As plants consume a lot Ca and Mg and and leave eh excess Cl and Sulfate behind. IN a tank with no plants or algae issues commercial GHboosters probably won't cause a PH issue. plants do need a small amount of Cl and sulfur but they need a lot more calcium and magnesium.

.But I also stated to add a shell or coral in the filter. These will not resolve in neutral or alkaline water. But if excess Cl and Sulfate are pressent the shells or coral will will react and convert the Ca Mg sulfates or chlorides which don't affect PH. So tanks with Ca Mg carbonate like to settle at about a pH of 7. You might have to add more shells or coral about once a year. These are cheep and in my experience work very well. Some fertilizers will also have too much sulfur and these can also push the PH down. So the shells or coral will control PH regardless are were the CL or sulfate comes from.

Ca and Mg gluconates don't have Cl or sulfur. The gluconate is mainly a type of sugar molecule. Plants need more carbonate than anything else so if anything build sup in the tank will be Ca or Mg which will naturally react with CO2 forming Ca or MG carbonate. Plants and soft water fish don't need much GH So I only recommend adding enough to reach one Degree GH unless your have fish that need hard water.

I appreciate all the information. This is the most straightforward info I've gotten yet. I'm going to go for the RO system you showed me. I'll T into my sink and run it from there. Put a ball valve on the end of the line and run a slow trickle to fill the tank directly. I have a 300w heater and by my simple minded logic, I should be able to dump the slow output right there and heater will address the cooler water output quickly without shifting the temp of the overall tank down too much (if that makes sense).

From there use a GH booster and root tabs for plants.

Correct me if my thinking is off. I think a direct fill will be pretty efficient and not have to figure out a way to fill a bunch of large buckets or bins.

 

[StevenF]

I think you are find with a slow fill.Just make sure the filer is completelysubmerged while you are doing the fill.

Keep an eye on your plants if the growth slows or stops your root tabs may not be providing enough nutrients for your plants. some fertilizers assume you tap water will supply of the nutrients your plants need and reduce or eliminate those nutrients from the fertilizer. Your water sotener may have allowed some utriehts to pass through to your tank but with the RO system you will be adding pure water to the tank. If you have plant problems let me know.

 

[Ram419]

Water softeners work by replacing calcium and magnesium with sodium bicarbonate. Sodium bicarbonate will push the PH up. More plants will push the PH up even more because plants consume the carbonate resulting in Soodium hydroxide which pushes the ph up even more. Additionally most steams and lakes always have some sodium and som potassium. Water with just or sodium or mostly sodium is bad for fish health.

100 gallon per day RO system

This is the fastest and fastest RO system I know of. For your 75gallon you might want to consider the 50 gallon per day version. Us a commercial GH booster or make your own. with calcium gluconate or magnesiumgluconate. Natural was also always has calcium and magnesium which fish and plants need. (two talbspoon of calcium gluconate and 1 of magnesium gluconate and and mix in a container add only enough to your tank to reach one degree. Unless you have fish that need harder water. Ca Mg gulconate may resolve slowly but most should be dissolved within 30 minutes to an hour or less. Many commercial GH boosters have a too much CL or sulfur which may make the water a little acidic. Gluocnates don't do that.

Also put a sea shell or crushed coral in the the filter. This will keep your water very close to 7 if too much Cl or sulfur gets into the tank. Amazon sells calcium gluconate and magnesium gluconate. You will need to use a fertilizer if you have plants. in the tank. So a water change once a week.

RO Buddy, that's is what I use for my RODI saltwater tank. Make sure if you have chloramine treated water that you use the special filter for chloramines. I bought the device and didn't know until I read the instructions it came with so had to wait on the filter.

 

[StevenF]

I bought the device and didn't know until I read the instructions it came with so had to wait on the filter.

Thanks for the info I didn't knowtahaat. However from what I know the sodium bicarbonate from the water softener should react with the chlorine in the chlorine to from sodium chloride (table saltO). I suspect it should work and the carbon filter all RO systems should also help. But I have no way to test this.

 

[Sleeveless]

RO Buddy, that's is what I use for my RODI saltwater tank. Make sure if you have chloramine treated water that you use the special filter for chloramines. I bought the device and didn't know until I read the instructions it came with so had to wait on the filter.

You mean “if” there is chloramine treated water? I’m on well and have a chlorine system for sulfur treatment but do not have chloramine.

 

[Ram419]

You mean “if” there is chloramine treated water? I’m on well and have a chlorine system for sulfur treatment but do not have chloramine.

Correct, the filter is specifically to treat Chloramine. If you have chlorine then you only need the default filters that come with the RO Buddy system. If you have Chloramine then you use the default filters plus the extra filter to treat chloramine.

 

[Sleeveless]

Correct, the filter is specifically to treat Chloramine. If you have chlorine then you only need the default filters that come with the RO Buddy system. If you have Chloramine then you use the default filters plus the extra filter to treat chloramine.

Perfect. Thanks just wanted to make sure. I’m most likely ordering what I need this weekend.

 

[Sleeveless]

I think you are find with a slow fill.Just make sure the filer is completelysubmerged while you are doing the fill.

Keep an eye on your plants if the growth slows or stops your root tabs may not be providing enough nutrients for your plants. some fertilizers assume you tap water will supply of the nutrients your plants need and reduce or eliminate those nutrients from the fertilizer. Your water sotener may have allowed some utriehts to pass through to your tank but with the RO system you will be adding pure water to the tank. If you have plant problems let me know.

Oddly enough. I have plant issues now. They always look rough and have a brown algae on them. I use the root tabs but based on your info may need a different type of fertilizer. I’ll have more options I think once I get the water under control and alleviate the algae issue

 

[Fryboy2024]

I am interested in getting an RO system as well. This thread is really useful.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

It is cheaper over time, to make RO or even RO/DI water than to buy it. I have had a 3 stage portable RO/DI unit for many years . I replaced some of the module with time and then decided it was a better and cheaper Idea to just buy a new one. I have a brand new 75 gpd 4 stage.I got one with a sediment filter as well as carbon/ I make cloe to pure water.

So, head on over to here and poke around. Hit the RO link under categories and then coose from the drop-down menu. I am space constrained so a small unit worked great. My unit comes with the input having a garden hose connection. My usitility sink is rigged with a gaeden hose output. Cost me a couple of dollars. All my hoses and pupm connect using garden hose connections. I chose portable over Aquarium Systems. I often sell fish at weekend events and I need soft water. I have all the python adapters can can usually connect my portable unit to the hotel sink and bath water in my hotel bathroom.
https://store.afwfilters.com/brands/AFWFilters.html

The units you will see can either be used as I do pr more permanently plummed in place. I batch water into a 20 gal. Rubbermaid trach can and from there I store it in 1 fal. jugs and 5 gal. buckets with lids. We have two buildings and I make the RO/DI in one and have to carry it to the other building where I need it. I am 75 and carrying 2 x 1 gal. of water I can do. I can no longer haul the 5 gal. cans any distance. I need 11-12 gals a week for my Altum tank and may use it for help in spawning some of my fish which come from seasonal places where the parameters change and sometime very fast- this dry and rainy seasons.

Whole house water sfteners come in a lot of varieties. The newer ones handle the salt so it is no longer an issue and there are other, more ex[pensive, options than salt based systems. If you are going to get and RO unit use water from before the softener. You will also need a TDS meter which not at all expensive. This measures the total of everything in the water. Salt matters but is not counted by either GH or KH tests. Ions also matters and some of these too are often not measured by these tests but are by a TDS pen. You could also use a conductivity meter. but I find the ppm of TDS easier to understand than microsiemens.