RO water

shawn843

shawn843

Member
Ok, so I have a concern. I was adding some regular freshwater RO water to my tank today and I noticed that the water had that very slimey look like theres been a ton of conditioner added to it. I just started getting my RO water from a LFS for 69 cents a gallon or something. I'm just concerned they are trying to sell me tap water with conditioner in it. It just doesn't seem right. Should I ask to see where hes getting it from next time? Let me know what you guys think.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
I would test any RO water you use with a conductivity meter (TDS meter), especially if it's purchased.
 
matth2181

matth2181

Member
if u put straight freshwater into saltwater it takes a second for it to diffuse into the rest of the salt water. what ur seeing is the freshwater trying to mix with salt water, and i makes like a oil mixing with water effect, i know exactly what your talking about... but yes i would still test the water ur buying, but its most likely just that ur adding freshwater straight into the salt water
 
shawn843

shawn843

Member
ya youre right its just the mixing. I just didnt realize it was gonna look like that. How should I test the water, not having a conductivity monitor. Should I ask them to do it on the water I get from the LFS?
 
mie

mie

Active Member
One lfs store in my area had ro tds readings higher than my tap water readings. Just because a store sells it does'nt make it better.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Yes, you can ask them to TDS test their water in front of you - and you should if you are going to buy your water - especially for .69 a gallon.
 
marchingbandjs

marchingbandjs

Member
the RO system membranes get used up fast.. as they probably need hundreds of gallon a day to maintain their tanks... they prob have an industrial RO system, but to keep the TDS reading low they would have to change their filters once a week, and filters for those systems run 100 on the cheap side.. chances our they do it once a month if not less than that...
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by shawn843
http:///forum/post/3146268
nvm I see a couple small ones that are around thirty. will the cheaper ones be accurate tho?
Get them to test it in front of you for free?
A good one will run you about 80 to 100 if you want it to be really accurate.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33
http:///forum/post/3146611
Get them to test it in front of you for free?
A good one will run you about 80 to 100 if you want it to be really accurate.
By the way- all a TDS meter does i measure the amount of electrical conductivity between the two metal points. You see, pure water doesn't conduct electricity... or show symptoms of boiling. Pure water can also rust metal A LOT faster than reguar water. Just FYI. :D
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33
http:///forum/post/3146613
Pure water can also rust metal A LOT faster than reguar water. Just FYI. :D
I just tested this. { Sorry, I couldn't just take your word for it }
I dropped a staple in some tank water at the same time I dropped a staple in some RO/DI.
The staple in the tank water showed rust in less than an hour. After two hours the staple in the RO/DI water still has no rust on it.
Do it with tap water and post your results. After 30 years in the hobby saltwater is "regular" water for me.
 
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