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zainsreef
Guest
do i need a reverse osmosis for my tank and what do they do???¿
chrismilano
Member
As for whether or not you NEED one, it really depends on what's in your tank. If you have a reed tank with anenomaes, starfish, corals, and other sensitive inverts, then yes,I would recommend one. If you have a fish only tank and your not using putrid city tap water, than you can do without until you have a better understanding of how your individual tank works. I use tap water for my FOWLR and occansionally get brown diatom bloom for it. Im about to buy an RO/DI unit on ---- for about $250. Shop around a little and get to understand what each unit offers (gallons per day/how much to replace filters,etc) Dont rush in if you're just starting to look because the more time you spend shopping and chatting on here, the more you avoid getting a unit thats not right for you. In the mean time, Ive been using a sink-top unit for changes...
broomer5
Active Member
Whether or not you need an RO/DI unit depends entirely on what is in your FRESHWATER SOURCE !
Be it a FO, FOWLR or REEF tank ...
If you have well water or city municipal water - the underlying message is;
What MAY be in this fresh water that MAY be harmful to my marine tank creatures and chemistry.
Chlorine is almost always introduced into city water to kill parasites and bacteria that could harm people.
Flouride is often added as well for our teeth.
Heavy metals, PHOSPHATES, NITRATES, iron, organic chemicals, inorganic chemicals, sediments, calcium, sodium, the list goes on and on ........
Most folks do not have the capability of testing for all of these unknowns that MAY be present, therefore an RO or RO/DI home water treatment unit is often used. It's easy, and you don't have to haul water from another source, lfs, Walmart ... whatever.
The cost is large up front, but many will justify the expense by feeling that they have some sort of control over their freshwater source.
The larger the tank, or larger number of tanks someone owns, makes this decision much easier.
An RO or RO/DI unit can reduce or REMOVE up to 99.9% of the crap that is in the freshwater, providing you spend the bigger bucks. More economical units can reduce or remove up to say 85-95% no problem.
Must you have one - nope !
Do a lot of successful saltwater hobbyists not own one and do fine - yep !
Only you can decide whether you really need one, by either contacting your local government in charge of water treatment and getting a report ( which to me is silly ), or having your tap/well water tested ( which to me seems more reliable ) - is the only way to know what nasty compounds MAY or MAY NOT be present.
Often the best indicator is the presence of phosphates or nitrates in your freshwater. That is one test that we can all perform, for about $20 bucks - 2 simple test kits and 20 minutes time.
Are you battling huge never ending algae problems and have taken all normal steps to reduce them.
Maybe it's the freshwater - maybe.
Are you constantly losing fish and inverts and don't know why - all the normal tests show fine - maybe it's the freshwater - maybe.
That's the trick - and those that have RO/DI units can normally eliminate this one UNKNOWN piece of the whole puzzle regarding their tanks.
My water here is very unpredictable - I did send off for the report from City Toledo and Wood County water report - very snazzy report with a lot of nothing - looked like a typical government never fear we are here to protect you document. Did not convince me.
I have had positive tests for phosphates and some nitrates in my water - so I got and RO/DI unit.
Be it a FO, FOWLR or REEF tank ...
If you have well water or city municipal water - the underlying message is;
What MAY be in this fresh water that MAY be harmful to my marine tank creatures and chemistry.
Chlorine is almost always introduced into city water to kill parasites and bacteria that could harm people.
Flouride is often added as well for our teeth.
Heavy metals, PHOSPHATES, NITRATES, iron, organic chemicals, inorganic chemicals, sediments, calcium, sodium, the list goes on and on ........
Most folks do not have the capability of testing for all of these unknowns that MAY be present, therefore an RO or RO/DI home water treatment unit is often used. It's easy, and you don't have to haul water from another source, lfs, Walmart ... whatever.
The cost is large up front, but many will justify the expense by feeling that they have some sort of control over their freshwater source.
The larger the tank, or larger number of tanks someone owns, makes this decision much easier.
An RO or RO/DI unit can reduce or REMOVE up to 99.9% of the crap that is in the freshwater, providing you spend the bigger bucks. More economical units can reduce or remove up to say 85-95% no problem.
Must you have one - nope !
Do a lot of successful saltwater hobbyists not own one and do fine - yep !
Only you can decide whether you really need one, by either contacting your local government in charge of water treatment and getting a report ( which to me is silly ), or having your tap/well water tested ( which to me seems more reliable ) - is the only way to know what nasty compounds MAY or MAY NOT be present.
Often the best indicator is the presence of phosphates or nitrates in your freshwater. That is one test that we can all perform, for about $20 bucks - 2 simple test kits and 20 minutes time.
Are you battling huge never ending algae problems and have taken all normal steps to reduce them.
Maybe it's the freshwater - maybe.
Are you constantly losing fish and inverts and don't know why - all the normal tests show fine - maybe it's the freshwater - maybe.
That's the trick - and those that have RO/DI units can normally eliminate this one UNKNOWN piece of the whole puzzle regarding their tanks.
My water here is very unpredictable - I did send off for the report from City Toledo and Wood County water report - very snazzy report with a lot of nothing - looked like a typical government never fear we are here to protect you document. Did not convince me.
I have had positive tests for phosphates and some nitrates in my water - so I got and RO/DI unit.
fish for life.
Member
If you can not afford it, make sure to mix and age your water for a week with an airstone or powerhear. This should be done anyway, exspecially when not using RO water. It is a good idea to keep a 5 gallon bucket going in your basement.
von_rahvin
Member
you can get a kent 60gpd RO/DI for right around 150 dollars online. i installed mine in my laundry room, took me about . . . 10 mins.
MY ro/di was the best thing i have purchased for my tank. it makes lif so easier to go hit a switch and water starts being pumped into a 5 gallon jug then bam in anbout 20 mins i have water for my tank. no driving and no worries. here in Orlando our water stinks i used city water for my first water fill and i have regretted it since. 3 complete wate changes later an a whole bunch or wasted time my tank is happy and so am i.
MY ro/di was the best thing i have purchased for my tank. it makes lif so easier to go hit a switch and water starts being pumped into a 5 gallon jug then bam in anbout 20 mins i have water for my tank. no driving and no worries. here in Orlando our water stinks i used city water for my first water fill and i have regretted it since. 3 complete wate changes later an a whole bunch or wasted time my tank is happy and so am i.