What are the parameters of R/O water?

R/O water is basically the same thing as bottled distilled or spring water you can buy at most stores. As for me, i just fill up Gallon containers of tap water, put in some conditioner, and let it sit for 3 or 4 days (also helps not having any nitrates in the water, although i suspect it has phosphates, which gives my star fish something to eat when the algae grows)

Originally posted by Makaiveli

Do R/O water parameters differ according to the water used?

The reverse osmosis process gets rid of almost all dissolved material, so it is close to pure water. Depending on the quality of the system, it won't remove everything, so it will vary a little depending on the source water.


Do most people R/O filter normal faucet water?

Yes.

Does salt get through the filtering process? How about alkaline minerals and PH?

No. Almost all salts are removed by an RO system. That includes carbonates. When exposed to air, RO water will absorb CO2, and become acidic.

Your salt mix has buffers that will bring the pH and alkalinity to where they should be.