water blues!

[DChango]

I don’t think the water quality from the local water mart is what it should be The PO4 level is almost 1.0 and I think that is what has my waters PO4 level at 2.0. I have 100gl tank and water change 10gl every week. My question is am I better off buying a system? Finding a different water mart? If buying a system is the answer what kind? RO or DI or both. And what size should I get? My tank crashed about a year, I can’t afford for that to happen again
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Thank you for your help!!!!!

[crvz]

Absolutely, if the water you're buying has that much measurable po4, I'd surely buy an RO/DI unit. Anything over about 30 gallons a day will be plenty, look at www.buckeyefieldsupply.com, you can get one of the economy units for around $150 or so.

[OneDummHikk]

If you can detect the PO4 in the water with a hobby level kit then its going to be higher than that (because of the test kits inability to measure the true level of PO4) and the best solution is indeed an RO/DI unit.

[Loverotties]

The water from walmart needs to be distilled.

[DChango]

Thanks 4 your help!
How long befor i see my po4 level go back to 0.0 I changed uot 40 of my 100 and only have seen a little change. (2.0 to 1.0) or is that a big change.

[OneDummHikk]

Give it another week or so and you should see the levels rise again. Maybe not to 2.0 but it will rise. Depending on how much PO4 is tied up in the rocks. As the level in the water drops, it will leech out of the rocks and cause a rise in the water levels. Another water change and it will do the same thing again. Its going to take time and patience. Remember it didn't get that high over night and it won't drop over night. Be patient and good luck with it.