do I need RO

Franklin · 01-28-2005, 10:39 AM

I just tested my tap water and it looks like ive got about 30ppm nitrates. Will I need an RO unit if i want to keep corals. If so, are some units better than others, or do they all do pretty much the same thing?
Thanks

ereefic · 01-28-2005, 12:21 PM

I would recommend getting a RO/DI unit, going to save you a lot of headaches later on. Tap water can have many things that aren't good for a tank.

We got our unit from www.airwaterice.com , the typhoon model. Decent price and it works wonderfully. Shop around, you can probably find a better price.

Franklin · 01-28-2005, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ereefic

I would recommend getting a RO/DI unit, going to save you a lot of headaches later on. Tap water can have many things that aren't good for a tank.

We got our unit from www.airwaterice.com , the typhoon model. Decent price and it works wonderfully. Shop around, you can probably find a better price.

The water is from a well, so the main issue is the nitrates, and maybe hardness- i dont think there is much else in there that i dont want. Is it worth getting RO just for the nitrates?

ereefic · 01-28-2005, 05:30 PM

To me, yes it would be worth it. If your using the well water with 30ppm, even a water change won't help bring them down. You'll need to take other measures to reduce your nitrates. Water changes are a great way to help reduce nitrates. I say, get one.

middlemark · 01-29-2005, 07:51 AM

I would also say get one.

There are people who don't use one, and do have success ... but it seems like a those who do have a higher %. Plus - algae problems are the bane of many reefkeepers [likely the reason many leave the hobby, along with livestock deaths]. Given Nitrates will likely make algae/nutrients hard to regulate [as many use water changes as a way of reducing them] ... I'd go with it.

When you compare the price of an RO/DI with live rock, or lights ... it's not a huge cost IMO [esp if you figure it will cut the # of cleanup snails/crabs you need to stock].

It can be done without - but IMO it's better to start with one and not have to play catch-up later.

**golfish** · 01-29-2005, 06:08 PM

The trates are just a start, what about all the other funs stuff that comes with our tap water. I have yet to hear\read of a "clean" tap water.

IME, using RO water is a must and should probably be the first thing bought when setiing up a reef tank, even before the tank.

If you start with bad water then your off to a bad start.

01-28-2005, 10:39 AM	#1
Franklin Tenant Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: MA Posts: 55	do I need RO I just tested my tap water and it looks like ive got about 30ppm nitrates. Will I need an RO unit if i want to keep corals. If so, are some units better than others, or do they all do pretty much the same thing? Thanks

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01-28-2005, 12:21 PM	#2
ereefic Citizen Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 154	I would recommend getting a RO/DI unit, going to save you a lot of headaches later on. Tap water can have many things that aren't good for a tank. We got our unit from www.airwaterice.com , the typhoon model. Decent price and it works wonderfully. Shop around, you can probably find a better price.

01-28-2005, 05:30 PM	#4
ereefic Citizen Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 154	To me, yes it would be worth it. If your using the well water with 30ppm, even a water change won't help bring them down. You'll need to take other measures to reduce your nitrates. Water changes are a great way to help reduce nitrates. I say, get one.

01-29-2005, 07:51 AM	#5
middlemark Citizen Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 139	I would also say get one. There are people who don't use one, and do have success ... but it seems like a those who do have a higher %. Plus - algae problems are the bane of many reefkeepers [likely the reason many leave the hobby, along with livestock deaths]. Given Nitrates will likely make algae/nutrients hard to regulate [as many use water changes as a way of reducing them] ... I'd go with it. When you compare the price of an RO/DI with live rock, or lights ... it's not a huge cost IMO [esp if you figure it will cut the # of cleanup snails/crabs you need to stock]. It can be done without - but IMO it's better to start with one and not have to play catch-up later.

01-29-2005, 06:08 PM	#6
golfish Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Alta Loma,Ca Posts: 2,925	The trates are just a start, what about all the other funs stuff that comes with our tap water. I have yet to hear\read of a "clean" tap water. IME, using RO water is a must and should probably be the first thing bought when setiing up a reef tank, even before the tank. If you start with bad water then your off to a bad start.

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