Water Conditioner with RO/DI?

[Porthos]

If you are using RO/DI water, do you still need to use chlorine neutraliser (water conditioner) to treat the water? I'm just wondering if I can use the water right out of my RO/DI water system, or does the chlorine still need to be removed.

[Germanman]

not usually but it depends on the system you got it should say that it does. if it doesnt say so call the company that made it and ask. if they dont know then use declorinator just to be safe lol.

[fsn77]

If you have a TFC membrane, chlorine will damage it, hence there is usually 2 chlorine removing carbon blocks prior to the RO membrane.

What type of RO membrane do you have? How many and what kind of pre-filter cartridges are you using?

Product water from a properly functioning RO or RO/DI unit should have no chlorine in it.

[rockethippo]

Ehhh.... is it okay if I use tap water then treat it with Ammex i think its called. You put a tablespoon or two in and it removes chlorine and says it lowers ammonia. Is that good enough instead of RO/DI filter?

[jojo22]

Short and sweet...yes and no!! If you have a FO or FOWLR then yes as long as your water isn't too bad, if you have a reef NO

[rockethippo]

The water here is quite good... do i need to test it and post results? BTW how much does a RO filter cost? Will it just be for my tank water? or can it be used for my whole house or soemthing?

[jojo22]

http://stores.ebay.com/Filter-Direct-store


Second page towards the bottom. Yes a test result would be nice. The ro unit only makes 100 gallons per day so it wouldn't run your whole house but you could use it for drinking water.

[rockethippo]

RO unit is kinda pricey:huh: I tested my tap water and it was at 7.5 PH. Is that okay if i use ammex? do I need to test for ammonia? If i did its at 0. Any other tests needed?

[jojo22]

OK if you think $99 is pricey then you really need to sit back and think about if you want to do a saltwater tank and if you have the money to take care of your animals. Think about it, one coral can easily cost 50 to 100 bux. now is 99 dollars really that much to protect an investment that will surely be in the thousands?? I am a firm beliver of if you can't do it right then don't do it at all. So if you want my answer no your tap water no matter how good will NOT work for a reef. You should by all rights buy an ro unit and use/maintain it. After being given this answer you still came back and asked again probably hopeing to her what you want, that it is ok to use your tap water so that you don't feel bad not buying the ro unit. Well if that is what you want to do then fine but you will have a marginal tank at best as if you won't pony up fo an ro unit then I am sure you won't for many of the other things you need.

END RANT!

Have a great day and good luck!

[rockethippo]

Well it is not exactly that expensive compared to the other things for the tank i bought, but I already spent quite a bit and dont want to spend alot more. I will eventually get some sorta filter fortunately. For FOWLR is it okay for now to use ammex?

[jojo22]

Please do a compleate test of all water paramiters and post them, This will help to determin if it is ok or not. Include ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphates, and ph.

[rockethippo]

nitrate-0 mg/l

ph- 7.5

nitrite-0 mg/l

phosphates-0

BTW you mean my tap water right? (these are my tap water paremeters)

[jojo22]

I would raise your ph a little before adding the water to my tank but other than that I don't see a problem. Do you have city or well water??

[rockethippo]

What would I raise the ph with? I think I have well water. Thanks

[5xevy]

Although RO water is recommended, it is not necessary. Many people run their tanks without the use of RO water. Even my buddy's reef (gorgeous reef at that) tank has been running for years on his apartment complex tap water.

Is RO water a good investment? Absolutely. I would guess most reef keepers would highly recommend it. Is it still possible to have a FO, FOWLR or reef without ever using RO water? Absolutely. But if you want the best for your tank (and probably the least amount of problems), at least RO or RO/DI water is the way to go.

Edited to add...you can raise your pH with marine buffer. There are a few brands to choose from. Here is just one I found by doing a simple search:

http://www.seachem.com/products/product_pages/MarineBuffer.html

[Germanman]

id use amquil its a bit better but almost the same stuff...i use tap in my reef...i alter it a bit but no Ro i might get one but my reefs have florished for over 2 years. but RO?DI is best in the long run unless u can chemically alter it otherwise
yor ph should be above 8.0 between 8.1-8.4

[rockethippo]

My tap water Ph should be above 8? Or my tank? My aquarium is at 8.2-.3

[Germanman]

the tank sry about that confusion lol.

[rockethippo]

:)