RO/DI Problems

[SigPiPup]

Is it possible for an RO/DI unit to actually produce Ammonia and Nitrite? I tested some of my fresh SW before putting into my tank and it showed trace amounts of both ammonia and nitrites. I posted a similar problem a month or so ago, but the water I was testing at that time had been stored for about a month. This water had only been stored a day and I'm getting readings like this.

If there was already Ammonia and Nitrite in my tap water, wouldn't the RO/DI filter take those contaminants out? That's why I think that the problem is the RO/DI Unit.

Maybe my test kit is crap? It doesn't say that it is expired though.


:help:

[lotuskid]

Don't know to much about RO units, but if the quality of your water has gone down then it might be that the filters need to be replaced.

[SigPiPup]

I don't think that its that the quality has gone down. I think that it's been like this since the beginning. It would explain why my cycle has not ended.

[emonemo420]

first test the water from the tap, if trace is showing still ,try new test kit, if still get reading after the new test kit its gotta be the RO filter...either replace the filters or is it possible u got a cheap one? i hate to ask that but some of the cheaper models arent the best...but if its a good one then it has to be filters if the test kits are fine...Gl

[Subliminal]

Check this thread:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=200056&highlight=sodium+AND+hydroxide+AND+chloramines

[Subliminal]

And this one:

http://www.njreefers.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=4920.0

[rsw686]

Your DI resin cartridge is becoming exhausted. You will need to replace it. The RO membrance alone can't filter out everything and the DI finishes up the job. I originally purchases an RO unit noticed I had small amounts of ammonia in filtered water. I added the DI part and no ammonia.

[SigPiPup]

Thanks for the links, Sub.

Great. Just great. As if everything else wasn't complicated enough, now I have to deal with this issue. QT or no QT. UV or no UV. What salt to use. What substrate. What fish. What lights, etc.

This is just one more thing to spend money on. If I new that this whole chloramine thing was a problem I wouldn't have bothered with setting the **** tank up.

I still need to test the tap and waste water, but It isn't looking good at all so far. What else could be causing the Ammonia after the filtration? Granted it isn't a large amount, about .25ppm, but still, there shouldn't be anything after RO/DI.

If my tests confirm what the links indicate, then I'm pretty much done with setting up this tank. There is no way I'm going to waste money setting up some damned HCl dripping system to lower the pH of my tap water.

[fsn77]

If you have city water with chloramines in it, you should seriously consider swithching one of the carbon pre-filters to one designed to handle chloramines. Here's an example:
http://www.thefilterguys.biz/chloramine_filters.htm

[SigPiPup]

I just checked the Water Quality Report for my water and it lists the use of Chlorine as a disinfectant. It doesn't say anything about Chloramines. I'm still going to have my FW tested. If there is no Ammonia then it has to be the RO/DI unit for sure.

[rsw686]

The small amount of ammonia isn't the end of the world. As long as you don't perform large water changes the biological filtration in your tank will take care of it.

You need to enjoy the hobby instead of stressing over what to buy. Theres many ways to setup a successful tank.

[SigPiPup]

The small amount of ammonia isn't the end of the world. As long as you don't perform large water changes the biological filtration in your tank will take care of it.

You need to enjoy the hobby instead of stressing over what to buy. Theres many ways to setup a successful tank.

Understood. Thanks. I'm a little cranky today. Need a nap.

Anyways, the filtration is taking care of the ammonia, but my Nitrites will not go away. Before I did my 50% water change after cycling my tank for the second time, my ammonia and nitrates were at 0. My nitrites stayed at between 0 and .05ppm for about 3 weeks.

I'm going to try to get to the LFS today to have them test my tap water, fresh RO/DI water, Salt RO/DI water and my tank water. This seems to be the only conclusive way to find out where the problem is.

[SigPiPup]

Quick question. Still haven't had the water tested yet but I was thinking, wouldn't another option also be to add some kind of treatment to the water like AmQuel or something similar before I mix the salt in?

I would just hate to have to resort to a chemical means to achieve my goals.

[clown-lover]

I dunno SigPiPup.. I have always found that when you use chemicals you exchange one problem for another.. While it states that it won't interfere with your biological filtration it doesn't mean it won't cause other problems. I haven't used it so I cannot say for certain.

[Catpicklesdog]

I've used Amquel when I got really desperate over nitrAtes in my old tank. To be honest I don't think it's that great. It didn't really help get them down that much but also doesn't solve your problem of where your readings are coming from. Looking at your other threads you've mentioned that you got the unit in May but you only stated RO. Is it definately RO/DI or just RO?

[SigPiPup]

I've used Amquel when I got really desperate over nitrAtes in my old tank. To be honest I don't think it's that great. It didn't really help get them down that much but also doesn't solve your problem of where your readings are coming from. Looking at your other threads you've mentioned that you got the unit in May but you only stated RO. Is it definately RO/DI or just RO?

It's definitely RO/DI. For sure. I probably just neglected the DI part the first time I posted CPD. I remember you responding to the previous post.

I managed to check my tap water pH and it was at 7.4, so I'm not as bad off as the person in the article that Sub linked me to. Didn't get a chance to check the other parameters as I don't have the proper test kits for FW.

[Catpicklesdog]

Have you tested with a TDS meter or can you borrow one?

[SigPiPup]

Have you tested with a TDS meter or can you borrow one?

No I haven't. The best I can do is ask the LFS if they can test for it. If they don't have a meter then I'm probably out of luck.

I'm going to try to get to the LFS today to get the other tests done on my Tap and Fresh RO/DI. So far I'm relieved that my pH isn't at 9-10.

Thanks everyone for all the help.

[Catpicklesdog]

Good luck - let us know how you get on:)

[SigPiPup]

Ok....Good News!!!

I took samples of my tap water and of fresh RO/DI water to two different LFS. I had them test for pH, Ammonia and Nitrites. For both my tap and fresh RO/DI water the tests came back as 0ppm for Ammonia and Nitrites and normal for pH.

I bought the same Ammonia test kit that both stores used and ran tests on my tap, fresh RO/DI, salt RO/DI and tank water. All results came back as 0ppm.

So, there isn't a problem with my RO/DI Unit and , as it turns out, there is a good chance that my tank has been cycled for about three weeks now and I just didn't know it because of a crappy test kit.

Phew!!!

Thank you all for all of your help!!!! (again)

[clown-lover]

EXCELLENT NEWS!!! Now you can start spending the big bucks.. LOL.. Good Luck.

[Grins]

Congrats! And as Clown said..now to spend money on the fun stuff. =)

[SigPiPup]

Thanks!!

Yeah, I went ahead and placed an order with the LFS for 4 small blue-green chromis. They'll be going into QT first, but I'll be sure to keep everyone updated on my progress. And yes Grins, I will be sure to post pics. :)

[Grins]

I want pics of your pug staring at them too

[SigPiPup]

I want pics of your pug staring at them too

I'll definitely work on that. Might be a challenge though. He's not much for sitting still.

[fsn77]

Very good news!
Best of luck to you as you finally get to move forward!
Keep us posted.