Ro/di?

[ZMattie]

A few months back I downgraded my 55gal SW tank to a 24gal Nano. I have since sold everything besided that tank and stand. Ive always wanted a pirahna tank and am thinking about setting one up in my 55gal when I move in April. I know its a ways away but I figured its never too early to start the planning of an aquarium. My first question is... What kind of water do I use? I can get free RO/DI water at the LFS, but I think Ive heard that RO/DI water isnt good for FW... If not what do you reccomend I use for water? (I HOPE NO ONE SAYS TAP WATER LOL) And, besides a 75gal filter, 300W heater, and lighting (nothing special lol) what else do I need for a FW tank? Im pretty sure thats all but ya never know!
Thanks alot,
Zach

[Hop]

You just need to add a product such as RO right to the ro water before you use it. RO/DI by itself has several properties that make it impracticable for applications by itself.

[Hop]

I used RO water and a few other products such as RO right when I had my discus.

[OneDummHikk]

If you have a way to collect it, rain water is awesome in a FW tank. When I couldn't collect it (no rain) I used tap water and a conditioner. If you can get RO/DI for free, then get it and add the RO right or a similar product.

[odie]

Nothing wrong with RO/DI but you will need to add some nutrients to it. After the DI it isnt even good for a person to consume as it will draw away nutrients for underlying tissues.

[Plaz]

Originally Posted by ZMattie

I can get free RO/DI water at the LFS, but I think Ive heard that RO/DI water isnt good for FW... If not what do you reccomend I use for water? (I HOPE NO ONE SAYS TAP WATER LOL)

How bad is your tap water? I use plain conditioned tap water for a 75gal and a 150gal freshwater tank and they are both thriving. Then again, I live in Portland where the TDS is usually less than 20 right out of the tap, so maybe it's not a good example.

And, besides a 75gal filter, 300W heater, and lighting (nothing special lol) what else do I need for a FW tank? Im pretty sure thats all but ya never know!

If you're planning on aquascaping with live plants, then I'd recommend a CO2 supply and bubble ladder or equivalent.

[Loverotties]

As said many times,it's ok but you need to add nutrients to the water.

[phishdreams]

add what nutrients and how?

[ZMattie]

Originally Posted by phishdreams

add what nutrients and how?

Good question...

[OneDummHikk]

Rather than trying to figure out what to add back to RO/DI water, simply use tap water and a good conditioner and you are finished with it.

[ZMattie]

My citys tap water isnt too good lol... Are you sure? and whats a good conditioner?... I wanna be safe and plan ahead on this tank... I know it wont be anything near like maintaining my nano but still wanna plan ahead

and

If I went with the RO/DI.. Is stress coat what your talking about by "adding nutrients" or what else would I need to add?

[OneDummHikk]

Originally Posted by ZMattie

My citys tap water isnt too good lol... Are you sure? and whats a good conditioner?... I wanna be safe and plan ahead on this tank... I know it wont be anything near like maintaining my nano but still wanna plan ahead

and

If I went with the RO/DI.. Is stress coat what your talking about by "adding nutrients" or what else would I need to add?

The only conditioner I have used in the last 10 years or so is Tetra EasyBalance. Its easy to find, available anywhere on the planet, and it works fairly well. If you start comparing prices, you find out that the water conditioner is cheaper - in the long run - than trying to find and add the minerals the fish themselves need.
And, its not actually "nutrients" that you are adding, its more simple minerals that are already in the tap water itself. The only thing the water conditioners do is bind the chorine and chloramine in the water so it isn't toxic to the fish.

I have read a lot about RO Right (because I have an RO/DI now) but have never used it so I can't really comment on it but others here have used it and would be in a better position to answer you. If you a place to collect it, the best water I found for my tanks (FW tanks) was rain water that didn't come off my roof (because of the little grains getting in the bucket).

I forgot, and am editing, about the City Water. Ironically, its the minerals in the water that make it so bad for SW that is actual beneficial to FW fish. And, to me, its easier to deal with the chlorine and chloramine than trying to add minerals back into the water.

[tabwyo]

Aquatic animals recieve a lot of their needed minerals and other fun stuff from the water the live in. RO/DI water is a fantastic base fluid it start with. And reef aquarist love it becasue they know exactly what is getting added BACK to the water befor it's introduce to the system.

IMO, RO?DI water is great for FW as well as SW. But just as SW adds salt (and all the other needed goodies). If you are going to use RO/DI for fresh you need to have the propper additive to get the clean water back to a desired fish ready state. Look in any fish supply magazine or well stocked LFS. Most sell a Acid buffer or Alkaline buffer... even a nuetral buffer. Some places even make ro/di re-conditioner.

To make a long story short. Making fish live in raw RO/DI is like making kids try to live on top ramen. Yeah, they can live a while on it because it is technically food. But it doesn't supply nearly enough of the stuff they need to stay healthy.

[garyad]

Originally Posted by ZMattie

My citys tap water isnt too good lol... Are you sure? and whats a good conditioner?... I wanna be safe and plan ahead on this tank... I know it wont be anything near like maintaining my nano but still wanna plan ahead

and

If I went with the RO/DI.. Is stress coat what your talking about by "adding nutrients" or what else would I need to add?

You should be able to get an analyis report from your local DPW to get you an idea on exactly what is in you drinking water.

[Hop]

Originally Posted by phishdreams

add what nutrients and how?

That is what I posted above I used RO right. I think it is made by kent. It was pretty fool proof. For this fool anywho