water changing with RO water

[DarkSoul]

I'm just wondering about any ramifications of using RO water to do a water change.

Ive been using tap water and prime, and now have some RO water which reads 2ppm TDS in the barrel i have it in, and a pH of about 6 or less...

so if i changed the water, should I use some of the RO water so the overall tank water is much cleaner....

should I bother?

 

[Ulan]

I guess that depends on your fish. If you want to breed rams or keep discus, go ahead. You can use pure RO water mixed with a small amount of marine salt, or you just make a custom mix of RO water with tapwater. It's a bit of a hassle, because you will probably have to do this all the time when you start with it.

If you have a stable, not too bad tapwater supply and don't have any delicate fish, I wouldn't bother.

 

[Marinemom]

I wouldn't bother. Even when keeping so called delicate or sensitive fish such as angels, rams or discus good old tap water is just fine. If you use RO water exclusively, then you will have to add chemicals to the water that the fish need in their water to survive. On top of the fact that once you start doing this the fish will expect it and will not tolerate any other kind of water. This can get expensive. If you do your regular water changes with treated tap water the water will be plenty clean enough for the fish and they will appreciate the stability.

Marinemom

 

[DarkSoul]

i dont pay for utilities where i live

anyway, why would I need to add additives if the water is mixed with the currently available tap water.

i was kind of hoping to use it to thin out whatever DOCs and the like that may be in the water.

still, what shall I do with my RO unit??

 

[Rbishop]

What makes you think your tap water needs diluted. I think you are over thinking what you need to maintain a tank....