I've searched the forums pretty thoroughly for this topic, but couldn't quite find the information I needed. If I've missed something, please let me know and I'll be happy to check it out.
I'm a complete newbie when it comes to RO/DI systems, so I'm hoping for some guidance. My well water is treated with a water softener, and from what I've gathered, I'll need an RO system and then re-mineralize the water in my aging barrel. For those of you using RO water, can you recommend a system that works well for you, and what do you use to add minerals back in? Also, is it better to tap into the water line before or after the water softener?
I'm also planning to set up an irrigation system to get the water from my aging barrel to my show tank. What size water pump do most people use, and at what point is it overkill?
Lastly, I'm curious about quarantine tanks for Discus - how small is too small?
Thanks so much for your help!
Need Help with RO/DI Setup
Re: Need Help with RO/DI Setup
Re: Need Help with RO/DI Setup
Jason, you're using RO water in your tanks now, right. Do you add anything to it. What are your source water test results - pH, GH, KH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates.
As for the quarantine tank, I think 30g is the bare minimum. But size really does depend on the specific needs of the fish.
Jason, you're using RO water in your tanks now, right. Do you add anything to it. What are your source water test results - pH, GH, KH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates.
As for the quarantine tank, I think 30g is the bare minimum. But size really does depend on the specific needs of the fish.
Re: Need Help with RO/DI Setup
Re: Need Help with RO/DI Setup
I've actually been using softened water in my tanks, and I've found it works pretty well with some adjustments. I add fertilizers for the plants and keep an eye on how they react. For instance, if I notice magnesium or iron deficiencies, I make the necessary changes. It's really not that hard to figure out what's going on if you know what to look for.
I've actually been using softened water in my tanks, and I've found it works pretty well with some adjustments. I add fertilizers for the plants and keep an eye on how they react. For instance, if I notice magnesium or iron deficiencies, I make the necessary changes. It's really not that hard to figure out what's going on if you know what to look for.
Re: Need Help with RO/DI Setup
Re: Need Help with RO/DI Setup
I'm curious, what's making you think you need an RO system? Are your fish struggling in some way? Before investing in a system, I'd suggest taking some water samples - from the tap, after aeration, and after adding fertilizers - to your local fish store for analysis. They can give you a better idea of your pH and TDS levels. Unless you're seeing some issues with your fish, I'm not sure why you'd want to focus on RO right now.
I'm curious, what's making you think you need an RO system? Are your fish struggling in some way? Before investing in a system, I'd suggest taking some water samples - from the tap, after aeration, and after adding fertilizers - to your local fish store for analysis. They can give you a better idea of your pH and TDS levels. Unless you're seeing some issues with your fish, I'm not sure why you'd want to focus on RO right now.
Re: Need Help with RO/DI Setup
Re: Need Help with RO/DI Setup
I've been reading through threads about keeping Discus in well water and it seems like a lot of people struggle to keep them healthy. Those same threads suggest using RO as a way to start from scratch and then re-mineralize to get the water parameters just right. Since I'm planning to switch to Discus, I want to avoid potential issues from the start.
I've been reading through threads about keeping Discus in well water and it seems like a lot of people struggle to keep them healthy. Those same threads suggest using RO as a way to start from scratch and then re-mineralize to get the water parameters just right. Since I'm planning to switch to Discus, I want to avoid potential issues from the start.
Re: Need Help with RO/DI Setup
Re: Need Help with RO/DI Setup
I'd really appreciate it if someone could help me out with my original questions. I've done my research and I'm set on going this route, so I'd love to get some advice on RO systems and mineralization for my aging barrel. Also, any thoughts on tapping into the water line before or after the water softener would be great. Additionally, I'm still looking for info on water pump sizes for my irrigation system and quarantine tank sizes for Discus.
I'd really appreciate it if someone could help me out with my original questions. I've done my research and I'm set on going this route, so I'd love to get some advice on RO systems and mineralization for my aging barrel. Also, any thoughts on tapping into the water line before or after the water softener would be great. Additionally, I'm still looking for info on water pump sizes for my irrigation system and quarantine tank sizes for Discus.
Re: Need Help with RO/DI Setup
Re: Need Help with RO/DI Setup
Wilde, I'm not familiar with the term LFS - could you please clarify what that stands for? I've had issues with gourami in the past, they'd only last about a month before stressing out and dying after a random water change. Despite my water test results coming back okay, I suspect it was something else in the water that I couldn't test for, which fluctuates periodically. Given that we need a water treatment system just to make our water potable and safe for human consumption, I can only imagine it's not ideal for Discus - I'd rather not take the risk.
Wilde, I'm not familiar with the term LFS - could you please clarify what that stands for? I've had issues with gourami in the past, they'd only last about a month before stressing out and dying after a random water change. Despite my water test results coming back okay, I suspect it was something else in the water that I couldn't test for, which fluctuates periodically. Given that we need a water treatment system just to make our water potable and safe for human consumption, I can only imagine it's not ideal for Discus - I'd rather not take the risk.
Re: Need Help with RO/DI Setup
Re: Need Help with RO/DI Setup
To clarify, LFS stands for local fish store - a place where you can get your water tested and analyzed. It's essential to have a baseline understanding of your water parameters before making any changes. Knowing what you're working with will help you determine the necessary adjustments to create a safe environment for your fish.
To clarify, LFS stands for local fish store - a place where you can get your water tested and analyzed. It's essential to have a baseline understanding of your water parameters before making any changes. Knowing what you're working with will help you determine the necessary adjustments to create a safe environment for your fish.
Re: Need Help with RO/DI Setup
Re: Need Help with RO/DI Setup
Jason, you've got options - you can work with both your well water softener water and an RO system. Here's the thing, water softener water can be good up to a point. I've seen people get some decent spawning results with it, but you've got to be careful not to overdo it with the fertility due to the sodium left behind in the exchange.
Now, RO water is a whole different story. You're looking at very pure water, 0 TDS, at least when the membrane is new. These membranes can last up to 2 years, depending on your water hardness and how often you replace the pre-filters. The typical ratio for an RO system is 3 to 1, so for every 1 gallon of usable water, you've got 3 gallons of waste water. That's when you've got to decide if you're going to use only RO water, adjusted to your fish's needs, and deal with the expenses that come with it.
Or, you can take a more economical route and add a couple of carbon filters to your water softener to reduce the sodium and whatever else is causing you to lose fish. A lot of people don't use RO or water softeners at all, just plain carbon filters that get replaced as needed.
Personally, I use RO water, but mostly for breeding purposes and to a lesser degree in my display tank. For growing and most fish, I use tap water that's been aged and aerated. I'd recommend getting familiar with all the water terminology - GH, KH, TDS, microOhms, pH, and so on. Get yourself a TDS pen, they're pretty cheap online, and that way when you give us some values, we can get a better idea of your water and help you out.
Jason, you've got options - you can work with both your well water softener water and an RO system. Here's the thing, water softener water can be good up to a point. I've seen people get some decent spawning results with it, but you've got to be careful not to overdo it with the fertility due to the sodium left behind in the exchange.
Now, RO water is a whole different story. You're looking at very pure water, 0 TDS, at least when the membrane is new. These membranes can last up to 2 years, depending on your water hardness and how often you replace the pre-filters. The typical ratio for an RO system is 3 to 1, so for every 1 gallon of usable water, you've got 3 gallons of waste water. That's when you've got to decide if you're going to use only RO water, adjusted to your fish's needs, and deal with the expenses that come with it.
Or, you can take a more economical route and add a couple of carbon filters to your water softener to reduce the sodium and whatever else is causing you to lose fish. A lot of people don't use RO or water softeners at all, just plain carbon filters that get replaced as needed.
Personally, I use RO water, but mostly for breeding purposes and to a lesser degree in my display tank. For growing and most fish, I use tap water that's been aged and aerated. I'd recommend getting familiar with all the water terminology - GH, KH, TDS, microOhms, pH, and so on. Get yourself a TDS pen, they're pretty cheap online, and that way when you give us some values, we can get a better idea of your water and help you out.
Re: Need Help with RO/DI Setup
Re: Need Help with RO/DI Setup
Wilde, like you said I need a starting point, but my water tests have always come back fine for the fish I had. No ammonia or nitrites, low nitrates which is what I aimed for in my planted tank. My gh and kh levels are spot on, and pH is mid 7s. My tetras, plecos, and octo cats are all thriving, but it's the gourami, mollies, and cory cats that would stress out randomly after months of being fine.
Lapad, thanks for the advice. I'll definitely look into using carbon filters. From what I've read, it's the pH and TDS that are crucial for Discus. Am I right in thinking that these are the key parameters to focus on?
Wilde, like you said I need a starting point, but my water tests have always come back fine for the fish I had. No ammonia or nitrites, low nitrates which is what I aimed for in my planted tank. My gh and kh levels are spot on, and pH is mid 7s. My tetras, plecos, and octo cats are all thriving, but it's the gourami, mollies, and cory cats that would stress out randomly after months of being fine.
Lapad, thanks for the advice. I'll definitely look into using carbon filters. From what I've read, it's the pH and TDS that are crucial for Discus. Am I right in thinking that these are the key parameters to focus on?