Who Gives A Fish Forums

Thinking about switching to RO water for my 20 gallon planted tank. Heard it's better for sensitive fish, but not sure how to set it up right. What's the best way to remineralize it?

RO water's a game changer, dude. I use Seachem Equilibrium to remineralize, keeps my shrimp happy. Just gotta test the TDS after, aim for around 150–200 ppm. You got a TDS meter?

Yeah, RO's solid for stability. I mix it with tap water, like 70/30, to keep minerals in check. Less hassle than full remineralization, but depends on your tap quality.

For precise control, I recommend a two-part remineralizer like Salty Shrimp GH/KH+. It's designed for RO water and lets you adjust hardness independently. What's your current GH/KH?

Thanks for the tips, y'all. My tap's super hard, like 300 ppm TDS, so I'm leaning toward full RO. Gonna grab a TDS meter and try the Salty Shrimp.

canine23 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 03, 2025 11:35 am RO water's a game changer, dude. I use Seachem Equilibrium to remineralize, keeps my shrimp happy. Just gotta test the TDS after, aim for around 150–200 ppm. You got a TDS meter?

Same here, Equilibrium's clutch. Just watch the dosing, it's easy to overshoot if you're not careful.

If you're going full RO, remember to match the temp to your tank before adding it. Sudden changes can stress fish. How often do you plan to do water changes?

I've been using RO for my discus for years. Consistency is key. Once you dial in the remineralization, stick to the same recipe every time.

Fawni wrote: ↑Tue Jun 03, 2025 2:06 pm Thanks for the tips, y'all. My tap's super hard, like 300 ppm TDS, so I'm leaning toward full RO. Gonna grab a TDS meter and try the Salty Shrimp.

Nice, you won't regret it. Just start slow with the Salty Shrimp, it's potent stuff.

Also, keep an eye on your plants. Some might need extra nutrients with RO water. I dose a bit of iron and trace elements to keep mine thriving.