What happens if R/O water has trates...

[islandgirl]

before I even add the salt? What should I do...take it back to my lfs and have them test it? I'm really trying to get to the source as to why my trates won't come down I promise soon I will have something else to talk about

 

[kpogue]

If you buy it from the LFS - heck yes, take it back. The only store I know in Charlotte that sells RO/DI is Fintastic, they also sell premixed salt H20. If you are making your own, I would try a new test kit, it's cheaper that replacing the RO unit!

 

[islandgirl]

Fintastic is where I get the water from...I buy the water in 5 gallon jugs. I make my own saltwater (KENT mix) and just thought that would be the way to go...wouldn't hurt to know how to make it. I didn't think about replacing the test kit...may have Fintastic test my water....both from the jug and the tank.

 

[dreeves]

If you are suspecting the nitrates could be coming from the water..why would you have the people selling you the water test it?
Buy a new test kit...check it yourself...make your own determination.

 

[islandgirl]

I hope that won't be the case but if it is....what would I do about the R/O water in the future? So far I haven't had any problems with my lfs. I don't have a RO unit...not in the budget right now!

 

[dreeves]

Troubleshoot from the cheapest up...get a new test kit to begin with.

 

[goldrush]

If the RO/DI water you are buying is not pure by all means return it. Tell them they need to check their filters and YOU test it before you buy it again. Makes sense,doesn't it?

 

[kpogue]

Fintastic is a VERY reputable LFS in the Charlotte area. If there is a problem with their water they would want to know so they could correct it.

 

[hvy_dty]

This may be a dumb question, but are you sure it's the water and not the container you're putting it in? I keep mine in a 32g rubbermaid trash can with a locking lid to keep all the nasties out.

 

[richard rendos]

Ask the store when they changed their RO cartridges? They may be running dirty filters.

 

[islandgirl]

I would hope that Fintastic wouldn't have that problem...cause everybody that buys R/O water would be SOL! I purchase my 5 gallon jugs from them too and they never stay on the shelves. I'm going to troubleshoot everything, including the water, tonight to see if I can pinpoint the problem. My fish seem happy....but you never know with those trates!!

 

[dreeves]

I do not really understand this...if it was a good LFS as some are claiming...why does a customer have to bring the condition of their membranes to their attention?

 

[broomer5]

islandgirl
How much nitrate does this LFS's RO water contain ?
What test kit are you using to measure it ?
Is the inside of these 5 gallon water containers slimey to the touch ?
Does the LFS provice the plastic 5 gallon container - or do you ?

 

[kpogue]

I bought containers from them 6 years ago and I still use them w/no problems.

 

[tangman99]

In reading the orginal post, I don't think it has been established that they have nitrates in their water. It think Islandgirl is just trying to figure out why she has high nitrates and is looking at this at being a possible problem. Hopefully she will test it and let us know for sure. I hate to see them get beat up if they are one of the good ones on mere speculation.

 

[kpogue]

Well, I can atest to Fintastic's system,I've seen it first hand,they are ligit. I wish we had a store of that quality around here.

 

[islandgirl]

WOW...you guys are there having the conversation without me Well I called Fintastic yesterday and was told that because they use sooo much RO water, their filters stay clean all the time. So, I tested my trates last night with just the RO water from the jug that I get from them.....NO DAMN SIGN OF TRATES!! Jug...clean on the inside...no slime. So...I pondered....could it be that the first batch of tests that I used were bad cause I opened a new pack of tablets to test the trates from the jug. Could that happen! I use a test kit that has pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrates all in it. Can't remember the name (figures!) but the tests are in tablet form, I drop them in a test tube of tank water...let the tabs dissolve and then read the readings from this chart that has different levels of readings. I get 0 readings for my ammonia and nitrites and 8.2 for pH....that would REALLY SUCK if that first batch of ALL the tabs were bad and I've been thinking that the tank has been fine all this time!!! I think I'm gonna open up the new batch of tabs with all of them and do a bunch of tests!! I think eventually though, I would like to get my own RO unit.

 

[islandgirl]

Cool...that probably would make my life easier too