RO Water vs Tap Water

[MagicNene]

Hello. I have a 55 and a 38 gallon that I have been using RO water for. The hassle of going to the pet store is getting annoying though, and we're thinking of switching to tap water. I want to get a Python system to use. Here are my questions:

1. What kind of water conditioner should I use?

2. Can I just put the water in there straight from the tap, or does it need to sit with the conditioner first?

3. Do I need to worry about water hardness, etc? I plan to continue using the pH neutralizer I'm currently using, so pH shouldn't be a problem, right?

Ok, I think that's it...sorry for the length!

[Andy16]

1. A lot of people use stress coat. I use viaqua and have no complaints.

2. I heard of people dripping the conditioner into the flow of water that goes into the tank.

3. The pH nuetralizer should work, but i dont know a lot about them, and i dont use them becuase my water is perfect.

[OrionGirl]

What water treatment you should use will depend on what the parameters are for your tap water. This means that we can't answer 2 and 3 other than in a very general way--for example, most tapwater contains some kind of disinfectant, either chlorine or chloramines. Chlorine will gas off if set out overnight, or under agitation, while chloramines must be treated with an appropriate product.

pH products are hard to categorize--you may need to use some method, but without knowing where the tap water is, and where your tank is, who knows what might be appropriate.

Switching over will entail a bit more work as well, since the existing tank conditions will likely shift. This should not be done suddenly, or you will stress your fish and possibly kill them.

[TKOS]

Possibly you can continue buying RO water and slowly start to add tapwater to it. Adding 20% tapwater perweek or so. That way the fish won't go crazy over a sudden switch. Also most fish aren't super sensitive to overall pH. I would take some tap water, add any decent dechlorinator, let sit over night and then have the LFS test it. It will most likely be more towards neutral than RO water is anyway. Hopefully it will mean you can stop using any pH chemicals.

[Matak]

What is your Gh right out of the tap? A RO shouldn't process water greater than 8 grains hard or it begins to clog early.

[MrArapaima]

MagicNene, What fishes do you keep?

[Matak]

Ooops, 'scuze me. I thought you were getting an RO :o

[Bristlenose Chuck]

Even though Matak was confused, he had a good idea. Looking into buying your own RO unit would keep you from having to go to the pet store all the time and you would'nt have to worry about using tap water.

[Matak]

Thanks BC. Also, the cost is considerably cheaper. If money is not so much and issue, consider getting a home RO unit. Then you can use it for your own consumption as well. I might be stepping ahead of myself again. Can you use a RO meant for the tank to make a glass of water for yourself? Is it convenient?

[MagicNene]

Thanks for the idea of getting an RO unit. I hadn't considered that.

Mr Arapaima: currently, I am keeping a really light tank load. I have an angelfish, 2 blue gouramis, and a bristlenose pleco in the 55. My husband's tank, the 38, has an Oscar and an Shovelnose (we are getting ready to upgrade the size for these fish).

Thanks for all the replies. I still haven't decided what I'll do, but I have more of an idea now. :)

[delmore]

Why are you using the RO water? I assume it is for a good reason. Can you post your tap water hardness and pH/conductivity?

Most fish can adjust to just type of tap water in the US and Canada. Of course there are exceptions.

Water suitable for breeding is a different story. Depending on the fish, you may need very specific water parameters. On the other hand I heard from a guy in eastern PA that has hard water and pH of 8, and breeds angelfish, and suplements his retirement by selling them to the LFS, and angelfish come from soft, lower pH water!

[Bristlenose Chuck]

I agree with delmore. Unless you have extremely high ph, there is no reason to use RO water. However, I'm sure the fish appreciate it.

P.S. Glad to see you have a Bristlenose