Ro/DI does it take too much?

[seek]

I've been researching RO/DI units. They seem to take almost everything out of the water. Do they take too much? Will this RO/DI water destabilize my ph, alkalinity or, any of my water parameters? I have a 80g Tank with 40g refuge. 80+lbs of Florida keys sand and 100lbs+ of Fiji live rock. With this tank setup will I need to worry about adding a ph or alkalinity buffer while using RO/DI water?

 

[thereefkeeper]

I do not think you will ever be able to get away with not using something like Kent Superbuffer to increase ALK and stabilize PH. Maybe I am wrong here, but then again I never tried it without. There really is not much that the RO/DI takes out that you would want to keep.

 

[reefkprz]

if your using a good enough salt mix you shouldnt have to adjust anything, I use ro and salt.. thats it. I never have to use buffer or anything though I do keep some buffer and calcium on hand just in case. I have had the same bottle for about 2 years and only used it twice.

 

[thereefkeeper]

You must have better water in Maine. I don't even drink the stuff down here, much less make my boys swim in it without doctoring a bit.

 

[seek]

thanks for the input º¿º

 

[f14peter]

Agree with reefkprZ . . . brewing your water with a quality salt goes a loooooong way in maintaining proper water stability and trace elements.

 

[renogaw]

i've recently found out that my alk is like zero. i have ro and well water--my ph is always high, but now i have to buffer my alk.

 

[reefnut]

Using RO/DI water will help stabilize your water chemistry if anything... that's not to say you will not have to add buffers or calcium suppliments at some point.