Reverse Osmosis Questions

[George Farmer]

Hi,

I'm planning on using only RO water for my setup. I'm using Kent's RO Right to add the necessary gH and pH Stable to add kH. However my gH liquid test kit (Hagen) only tests for Magnesium and Calcium thus giving a false result (far too low). Kent state that you must not exceed their stated dosage. How can I accurately test for gH without spending a fortune? kH tests fine by the way.

 

[Jamnog]

perhaps take a smaple of the water and a large bribe to a chemistry department in a university for the most accurate reading. why are you using ro water for your first setup thats a little over the top isnt it? perhaps im not seeing the whole picture here is it because your local water is not the right hardness perhaps.

 

[Dragonslair]

I'm with jamnog with this one.Same question. The fish that you have or are going to purchase from your lfs, are they in RO water? If not you could be heading into rough water(no pun intended) The total change in water chemistry could upset your fish and cause health problems. What I may suggest is that you ask your lfs what water they use and stick with that.
I know it is nice to have pure water with the exact text book requirements, but unfortunately the fish haven't read the text book and so they like what they are use to.

 

[dolphin]

Hi gf225

As you are using RO water you will not be able the measure the GH. You will have to measure the TDS. To do this you will need to buy an electronic meter. Mine cost me £75.

 

[George Farmer]

Sorry for the lack of background! I've got a 6 month old Juwel Rio 125 Amazon biotype, well-planted with a pair of Silver Angels, 4 Blue Rams, 4 Gold Rams, 9 Cardinal Tetras, 8 Rummynose Tetras, 3 Otos and 2 Leopard Corys. My tap water is pH 7.5, gH 14, kH 7 and Phosphate 7 ppm. My fish are ok in this but would obviously benefit from a more softer, acidic water. Also the phosphate is really high causing big algae problems. By using RO my phosphate would be 0 and pH and hardness would be easily controlled, not to mention the removal of other nasty heavy metals etc. My plants would also benefit from the lower pH and hardness. I've access to limitless amounts of RO and it would seem a waste not to take advantage. My problem is analysing the chemistry after my additives. I think I'll invest in an electronic TDS meter. I've thought about a tap/RO mix but would be fighting a losing battle with the phosphate. I'm currently using Rowaphos but it's quite dear. I may sound a bit of a perfectionist, but hey, it's my hobby!

 

[George Farmer]

Oh, and if and when I change over to RO I'd water change an externally prepared fraction, say 10% a week. Does anyone disagree that a pH 6.8, gH 6, kH 3 would be unsuitable for my species, bearing in mind the change would be gradual and these parameters were similar to the shops?

 

[CFC]

I say go with it,i may not be a expert on water chemistry but i can tell you that i switched to RO water for the same reasons as you about six months ago and have not regretted it,the algea problem i had has not gone completely but is now manageable and the fish and plants have never looked healthier,there cant be much wrong with giving your fish pure water that is perfect for their requirements can there?

 

[Tanked]

I'l say go with it too, especially if you plan on conditioning them slowly to it, there SHOULD and I will stress the word SHOULD be no problems.