mommybaby295

I am confused about my water quality. I am using RO water in my tank currently. (I have a water softener and RO tanks in my house for drinking waters). My pH tends to be 6.8-ish. I'm getting mixed answers on whether or not I should use just the RO water, or treat it with something. Four fish stores have told me the RO water is perfect for the fish, and if I treat it, it'll be harder to keep the balance, so I should leave it alone.

However, I've read that RO water needs additives. And somewhere else I read that instead or additives, I should just mix my RO water with hard tap water. However, I have a water softener. Any advice? I don't have chlorine, so I don't need a dechorinator.

aquarist48

Hello Mommybaby. Here is a link to reverse osmosis that you may find very helpful.
Ken
http://www.fishlore.com/reverse_osmo...ionization.htm

mommybaby295

Thanks, Ken. I'd read that already, and am still a bit confused. If I don't want to use additives, can I use the water from my water softener? It's also got the "hardness" taken out of it. It has a refiner, so the chlorine is gone, too. However, it is the type that uses salt to soften the water.

Could I use a mixture? Or would the salt be too much for the freshwater fish?

My concern with the additives is just that I don't want to change the water chemistry every time I do a water change, and end up with stressed out fish.

Shawnie

I would just use your tap water with a good conditioner....I also have a softner and my fish do well with that....my ph is 7 out of the tap but because of things in my tanks, they all vary between 6.4 - 8.1

aquarist48

MB I've never used RO water personally. I have used distilled water and in order to get the pH levels that I need I have to use tap added in. I don't want to give you wrong advice on using water from your tap. I don't know what all the softener and the refiner does and the thought of it using salt to soften the water is over my head when it comes to your aquarium. I have a 400 ft well and none of the items you've mentioned are necessary.
Are you using any of your tap water in your tank? What did you use to fill it up? Have you measured the salinity in your tap? My best suggestion is to purchase the RO additives to be on the safe side until you have more information on your tap water. Let's see what some others have to say.
I wish I could help you more!
Ken

mommybaby295

Thanks for the advice. I filled it with only RO water. I'll try the additives.