Why does one need an RO system?

[lcrupert]

For the past two years (since I have owned a saltwater aquarium) I have been purchasing RO water when I go to the LFS. However the aquarium I work at.... for our closed system tanks, we simply have large open trash bins that are filled with hose water that we run with a pump for a several days.

We use that water to top off the sumps. Why do people purchase RO systems as opposed to using this method? Is it just a safer method? Maybe I will look into getting one for the aquarium. We have had success with this method, but we are having trouble with our lion fish- wondering if it might be related.

 

[philr]

Simply test your water from the hose. You may be surprised as to how much it contains. Especailly nitrates, phosphates, copper and more. RO water will eliminate all of that. You can get a good system for $100 and up. I then store 5 gallon buckets of RO water ready to go. I have some usually 10 gallons already mixed with salt and another 5-10 gallons fresh. My RO system is small and will make from 2-4 gallons daily. Thats why I store it. But I always have RO water ready when needed.

 

[Loki]

2-4 gallons a day? I've never heard of one that slow.

As stated above it eliminates all of the stuff you don't want in your tank.

Perhaps the aquarium has an RO/DI unit but its hidden or something? I would think you would have problems with algae if nothing else by using tap water.

 

[robbrouse]

For me I did want to haul water in the winter or not have some on hand if I needed it so I bought one before I even bought the tank,

 

[AZDesertRat]

RO/DI, not just RO since it is only 90-98% efficient by iteslf, gives you stability. You get the same clean, pure wate revery time regardless if a storm blows through and your wate rutility changes treatment methods or chemical dosages or if Joe Contractor didg up the water main in the street and causes a backflow or if you next door neighbor had his hose in a tree well or horse trough at the time the Contractor and it sucked in contaminant when the water was shut off. You alone have 100% control over thewater quality and do not have to depend on anyone or anything else.

 

[philr]

Like I say it was an inexpensive model. Around $100. I bought it at a Lowes home improvement store, and it attaches with a faucet to my utility sink. Easy connections. I change the filters 2x yearly for around $50 and it gives chemical free RO water. I test it periodically to be sure. Its a whirlpool model.

 

[Loki]

Oh okay. Hey that is an improvement on tap water for sure. While not ideal at least you are putting better than tap into the tank.

You could add a DI stage to it from BRS to make it a complete RO/DI.

 

[Railcar79]

I used RO for ages and had no issues, adding the DI stage still no issues, just more cost replacing the resin. I filled a 55 gal drum with water and make more as needed for topoff