First Stupid Question

[ddm18]

Hi,

I posted a few days ago, asking if I'm too beginner to start a nano, your responses were mostly 'no', so I've begun reading, and have my first dumb question:

How long a 'shelf life' does RO water have? (Of course, you already knew that was the question...)

Basically, can I buy RO water in large quantities, and keep it for, say, 3 or 4 weeks for water changes (and topping off), or do I need to buy it 'fresh' each week?

I'm guessing that the point of it is that it's close to pure water, and so there's not much to go off, but could be completely wrong.

Thanks

 

[AndyS]

If kept correctly fresh RO can be stored for months, best not to keep saltwater for a long time unless there is a powerhead in there mixing it, but fresh RO will be fine. Just a hint, make sure you always keep enough RO for a 100% water change, i guarantee you at some point you will need a lot of RO when the shops are shut.

 

[atmmachine816]

If kept correctly fresh RO can be stored for months, best not to keep saltwater for a long time unless there is a powerhead in there mixing it, but fresh RO will be fine. Just a hint, make sure you always keep enough RO for a 100% water change, i guarantee you at some point you will need a lot of RO when the shops are shut.

Of course good ol Walmart might be open

 

[AndyS]

You Lucky Americans!

 

[SkiFletch]

*Shudder* at the thought of going into a walmart.

ddm18, RO water if stored with a lid on top of it (to keep dust and airborne contaminants out) can last for many months. Its just pure water

 

[atmmachine816]

*Shudder* at the thought of going into a walmart.

ddm18, RO water if stored with a lid on top of it (to keep dust and airborne contaminants out) can last for many months. Its just pure water

LOL, well if you just go where they sell water it's ok, as long as you can make it there, sometimes I can't it's so gosh darn crowded and cramped

 

[Danno]

Walmarts is best shopped from 11PM to 1AM.

 

[ddm18]

Great - thanks guys, makes things a little easier. I was assuming that would be the case, but didn't read it anywhere, so thought it better to be safe than sorry!

As an aside, any links to good livestock indexes would be much appreciated - I like the fish index on www.thetropicaltank.co.uk, for freshwater - any similar links for SW? I haven't found many very complete selections.

 

[SkiFletch]

liveaquaria.com and saltwaterfish.com have lots of good fish and info up on their sites

 

[ddm18]

D'oh! Thanks Ski - I've seen links to both of those sites all over the place, but never paid them much attention, thinking they were just US-based shops - never occurred to me that they might actually contain information as well Exactly what I was looking for

 

[steelhealr]

The only stupid question is the one not asked. SH

 

[@ombomb]

Why not just buy a RO filter and make your own?

It'll easily pay for itself long term.

 

[ddm18]

Why not just buy a RO filter and make your own?

It'll easily pay for itself long term.

Dammit! Exactly what I didn't want to hear!! I'd kind of ruled that one out as a variable not to have to think about, now it's back in play!!

What opinions do other people have? The tank is only 65 litres, my LFS sells RO water for 10p/litre (does that sound right? It's possible that I made that number up, and haven't been to check...), so, with 10% water changes, and topping-off, I'd expect to only be paying about 70p/week. A quick Google for a cheap RO unit throws up one at £75, which I make as 2 year's worth of buying the water. Also, I live in a rented flat, so no plumbing for me, and not masses of space. My gut instinct is that, for now, it makes more sense to buy the water, which will (probably? perhaps?) be 'better' (can it be better?) from my LFS than from a cheap RO unit.

Any thoughts?

 

[AndyS]

10p a litres pretty good, i pay £3 for 25 litres which isnt a lot more, however i have no experience of using a RO unit whatsoever, i buy my RO from the LFS.

 

[SkiFletch]

It can and most definitely will be better. Most LFS' dont take care of their RO membranes well enough and they deteriorate quickly. Buying your own lets you be in control of your water... And dont forget all the money spent on gas transporting the water...