Does R/O Right increase KH?

[oztun]

My KH was 0. I tested my tap water and my R/O water and both test at 1 or so. The guy (who seems extremely knowledgable) told me R/O Right (a teaspoon per 10 gallons) would fix things. It says on the canister it increases GH, but doesn't say much about KH. Does this work for KH? Is R/O Right a good thing to add? I don't like to add chemicals, but this sounded like just natrual minerals.

The guy told me to use about 50% tap/50% R/O for my apistos. when I do water changes, and add a small amount of R/O Right.

 

[OrionGirl]

Well, you will want to add a buffer of some kind. There are many options available, but I don't see anything in R/O Right that would raise the KH. I'd look at Kents Cichlid buffer, or some of the 'natural' methods, such as adding some crushed coral in a baggy to the filter, or into a tub where you store the RO water. You'll need to experiment with any product to determine the appropriate dose to provide the stability you need.

 

[oztun]

Well the R/O Right did raise my KH to 3, but that is still to low. I put a small piece of limestone in which should raise it enough. I killed my female cockatoo by adding co2 and dropping the PH from 7.3 to 6.0, so I have to get the KH up before adding another one.

 

[ChicoRaton]

yeah RO right does raise kh. at work we add it to the RO water vat and it'll raise it to about 5 degrees kh.

 

[OrionGirl]

Hmmm...Maybe they don't list all the ingredients. Guess I'd still look for something that targets KH specifically, especially since you are starting with 0.

 

[oztun]

I'm still curious whether you guys think R/O Right is like adding chemicals or adding something natural, like minerals.

 

[daveedka]

IMO RO right is a little different than addition of chemicals. Ro right is designed to put things back into the water that the RO filter took out to begin with. It really isn't adding things that create instability, or chemical reactions that may have adverse effects. To me it is no different than adjusting levels through proper dosing, or crushed coral etc.
I personally don't see the sense in using RO water for freshwater set-ups, unless you are just mixing it with tap water to dillute hardness levels, and then you don't need RO right. In extremely delicate (and expensive ) marine set-ups I can see a little stronger argument for it.
Unless you live somewhere where water regulations are poor, or on a well that has some real nasties (metals in particular) Ro seems like a waste of effort and money to me. Just my personal opinion, some will dis-agree. and I might add that while I feel its unnecessary, it certainly isn't a bad thing.
Dave

 

[oztun]

Thanks for the reply. My problem is that my KH on my tap water is barely over 0 and on my R/O. Thats why I was told to add R/O Right even though I mix R/O and tap. 3 teaspoons did raise my level to a 3. I put a small piece of limestone in the tank as well which I think will raise it a bit more.

My PH on my tap is 11 and on my R/O it's 11. I guess that's because the KH is 0 otherwise it seems like it would burn my skin. The guy at the LFS said a PH of 11 on R/O water was normal, but not on my tap. I'm really confused why my tap water is like it is.

 

[125gJoe]

..... I'm really confused why my tap water is like it is.

Tap water differs from area to area...
Here in Orlando it's very hard water. I went with an R/O system to provide 'better' water for the Discus tank. I don't think the Discus would be as healthy as they are without R/O water -- and the addition of R/O Right.

I'm so glad I had great advice here on Aquaria Central Forums to help with the set-up of a nice "planted" Discus aquarium!

 

[daveedka]

I would fully agree that if you tap has no Kh and a ph of 11 I woldn't use straight tap water (I wouldn't drink it either), I would at least would mix it with di or ro to dillute it a lot. An easy way to raise Kh is with baking soda, or crushed coral. Baking soda is very fast, so is good for change water, crushed coral is very slow so it is good added to the filter or in the tank somewhere to raise the kh. RO right as I understand it is a braod range additive to bring up several different trace mineral levels. Depending on what it is in your water that drives the ph that high, you may or may not need RO right.
Dave