chipster55

I just purchased and set up a reverse osmosis system mainly for my green spot algae problem. As I read different articles I have a question. It seems it is necessary to add minerals back before using it. Is this absolutely necessary? My 75 gal tank has been established for 3 years and water conditions are perfect. If this is necessary what is the best to use to treat this water. Some articles mentioned Aquqrium Salt but I have about 6 cories in this tank and was under the impression that salt shouldn't be added with those fish in tanks. Also how much of a watewr change to do with this water..I usually do a 25-35 gallon change every week or two..Is there equipment to have this water automatically re-added as opposed to having to dump it in manually? Thanks

mjordan

i may be new but i still add back my nutrients with a sechem product for RO plants. they have it on dr foster and smith.. i have been dosing tank with 3 cories 4 along time every time i do water change should i stop.

pepetj

You should add trace minerals to R/O water, they are needed or your pH will crash in 100% R/O water (KdH and GdH both at zero). Have you considered UV sterilization? at certain flow range, it works wonderfully for algae control in the water -not those already attached to surface, you should get those out first.

Don't use aquarium salt with corydoras, not a good mix.

Pepe
Santo Domingo

chipster55

Thanks...The Algae problem I have is on the glass and everything else in my Aquarium...I just hopes yhis R/O works..It has been a 2 year battle.

sirdarksol

It should help a lot, as long as you're also paying attention to feeding (another source of algae). I have a similar problem, with excessive phosphorous and nitrogen in my water supply. I can't wait until I can afford an RO setup.

And yes, it is a very good idea to put some minerals back in the water. There are few, if any, fish that are "made" to live in pure water. Their cells are, rather, set up to handle a particular level of mineral content (or hardness). The further from this ideal hardness, the greater the stress on the fishes' cells. This is called osmotic stress.
With perfectly soft water (distilled, rain, or RO water), this can cause the cells to flood with so much water (in an attempt to even out the mineral content on either side of the cell membrane), that they burst.

chipster55

Thnaks for the info...Can anyone point me in the direction of a good TDS tester..