Raising Ph And Hardness To Ro Water

[smeyers2]

Hi All,
I am just starting u p a freshwater tank using R/O water. The PH is 6.0.. hardness is 1 degree, and about 17 GH. My question is what do I put in the water to raise the PH to 6.5 and GH to about 50?  I am going to have Clown Loaches, Severans, and Rams. My local pet store told me to mix in some tap water... Yea right !!! Thank for your help !!!

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Adding a bit of tap water IS the easiest method.  You'll want to measure your tap water to find its conditions first, of course.

 

[DrRob]

Question, do you want to go down the pre-made route or were you planning DIY?
 
As Eagles and your LFS say, tap water is easiest, then commercial remineralisation salts, then home made mixes.

 

[smeyers2]

Thanks for the ideas.... I wouldn't have a problem with the tap water, except that I had my tap water tested. On a scale of 1 to 10.. 10 being the best quality... mine comes in at a 3.  I'm just a little hesitant on putting any % of my tap water into the tank. I did visit a new (to me) fish store today. The manager seemed very knowledgeable and showed me some Kent Marine Liquid R/O Right. Seems that might be what I need. I guess that is a number 2.. use premade ??   I'm don't think I'll DIY. As always I am open to any thoughts from the "Good Guys" !!  Take care all !!! Have a great Evening, and Sunday

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Hi All,
I am just starting u p a freshwater tank using R/O water. The PH is 6.0.. hardness is 1 degree, and about 17 GH. My question is what do I put in the water to raise the PH to 6.5 and GH to about 50?  I am going to have Clown Loaches, Severans, and Rams. My local pet store told me to mix in some tap water... Yea right !!! Thank for your help !!!

A true gH reading of 17 is rather hard already, even the African rift valley lakes do not have a gH of 50... Do you mean mg/l?

 

[Rexenator]

I know some people add crushed rocks or coral to their canister filters to raise the pH.

 

[smeyers2]

NObody O The Goat...  the chart with the water hardness test kit ((API)  says...  GH & KH Conversion Chart....  # of drops to change KH from blue to yellow... my R/O  took 1 drop...  same with GH...  so the chart says  1 drop = (little 0)dKH  is 1 degree....   and ppm GH/KH = 17.9  Hope this helps you understand me 

 

[Essjay]

That's the problem with GH and KH, there are several different units you can use. The most common are degrees (most testers use German degrees though there are French and Clark as well) and ppm. I usually write a reading as, for example, GH is 1deg/17ppm as that way it's obvious that it's the same reading in two different units.
 
When you say your tapwater comes out as 3 on a scale of 10 when you had it tested, what exactly is it that makes your water so 'bad'? Very hard? Lot of nitrate? Something in there that's bad for fish? If we know what is 'bad' about your tapwater we'll be able to tell you if you actually can use it to mix with RO.

 

[smeyers2]

Fish Herder...  I never had my tap water tested.  I went to a business where they make R/O water. 21 stage... closest to distilled (he said).  He goes to homes, business, installs filters, advises, tests water, etc. He told me where I live the town's water supply is a "3". Some of the water comes from a nearby big city... that city has the 2nd worst water in the nation. I don't know exactly what is in my water. He will come and test it for a price. If the testing is important I'll do it. If so,If you would be so kind as to what kind of info would be beneficial to you. Thank for your help, Steve

 

[eaglesaquarium]

What do you fear in the tap water that is making you go with RO?

 

[smeyers2]

Nothing In Particular... I want to add some discus (in place of the severns) at some point after I have an established tank with some degree of stability. I want the best water possible.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

That's fair.

 

[smeyers2]

OK.. Now I'm more confused than ever !!!  The more I read the more confused I get !!  I'm thinking I need some kind of remineralization product, a pH up or down, and a pH buffer... which I may not need if my hardness is high ???  Do I have that right ??  I'm figuring there must be an order you need to follow as remineralization does effect the pH.  That said if I DIY is all I need Epsom salts, Baking soda. ???  Sorry for the questions. I have had fish... but this R/O stuff is all new. Is there a link somewhere that has some info ???
 
Thanks !!!

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Lets start with getting your water result from your local water company. they will provide them if you ask.
 
Try looking here http/water.epa.gov/drink/local/
 
As far as i know this 1-10 rating is not one used by the EPA. As you will see water companies must provide information broken down by what is in the water. Would you pay that guy to test your water if you were told its a 7 out of 10? I look askance and sales people. But if you really want your water tested, the EPA can help ypu find a certified testing lab in your state if you go here http/water.epa.gov/scitech/drinkingwater/labcert/statecertification.cfm

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I've never done 'remineralization' as such.  Cutting tap water with RO is a very simple solution and would work very well for you.   I would steer clear of pH Up, pH Down and those 'magic buffers'. 
 
 
If Discus are your plan, you would be well-served to visit here: http/www.simplydiscus.com/library/index.shtml And learn as much as you can, on all topics, not just the water chemistry stuff.