Help with R/O units

[C-Dub]

Hey guys and gals I am in the process of choosing an R/O unit. I am lost already, I don't care about cost, I mean I do, but I want a good one. I will be setting up something in the 30-40gal range, and I already have a 54gal. I'm am in hopes to use this unit for both tanks. So I guess what my question would be is what unit should I choose? How much water do I need to be producing a week for my water changes on both tanks? Also any advice or useful information on R/O units would be greatly appreciated. I have read that you don't want all your water to be from the r/o unit you still want some tap water??? Please I'm confused any words of wisdom will not go unread. Thanks everyone,
Chris

[AABatteries]

For freshwater you don't need R/O water. R/O is actually too pure for FW.

[Cameron]

Unless you have liquid rock for water, you don't really need it for your average aquarium. But you could balance it out 50/50 or whatever, its trial and error finding the right amount of RO water to tap water.

[C-Dub]

For freshwater you don't need R/O water. R/O is actually too pure for FW.

Not even in a planted tank?
My tap water comes out at 0ppmAmmonia, 0ppmNitrites, 10-15ppmNitrates, and the Nitrates tend to skyrocket in my Planted 54gal

[AABatteries]

The RO water will reduce none of that. The plants should be absorbing some of the nirates, if they're sky rocketing, there's something else wrong with the tank. Its not the tap water.

[C-Dub]

The plants are adding nitrates not absorbing them. Having 15ppm of Nitrates in my tap water before it even goes into the tank in my opinion is a problem. The plants add Nitrates and on any given day my tank sits btw 35-45ppm, even after w/c's. Having that much trates also creates algae blooms which I have been battling. I've been told by numerous people an r/o unit will help me, am I wrong here?

[AABatteries]

Well, I've never heard of plants adding them unless they're all dying. So, I think you're wrong on that point. I could be wrong though.

Second, to my knowledge, ates don't cause algae blooms. Excess light and phosphates do.

And, I don't think RO takes out the ates. And its really weird your tap has it. You must have an eco-system living in your pipes. What kind of test kit do you have, liquid or strips?

[Cameron]

That doesn't make any sense, plants will not add any nitrates. An RO unit may only help a bit, i dont think it would eliminate the problem if its really that bad..

[C-Dub]

Liquid test kit.

Ive tested it numerous times and have had same results with different test kits. I was told by someone plants add trates, let me see if i can find where i got that info from

[Cameron]

Liquid test kit.

Ive tested it numerous times and have had same results with different test kits. I was told by someone plants add trates, let me see if i can find where i got that info from


How exactly would they do that?? What chemical process during photosynthesis releases oxygen AND NO3?? I dont think it's possible? Why would fertilizers contain nitrogen??

EDIT: I'm not trying to be mean btw just prove a point ;)

[Dave66]

I use RO/DI units; one for freshwater, one for marine. Because my tap is unsuitable for the freshwater fish I like to keep, I mix 70 percent RO/DI with 30 percent tap for the level of pH and hardness my fish enjoy.

Of course, I use pure RO/DI to mix with my marine salts for my marine tanks.

It would be inaccurate to say an RO or RO/DI unit isn't needed for freshwater. You'd need pure water for evaporation top-offs, partial changes necessary to breed certain kinds of fish; all kinds of uses. Of course, you can reconstitute RO or RO/DI to drink, cook with, or use in your aquarium, and that water would lack all the minerals, metals and toxins of tap water.

Dave

[C-Dub]

How exactly would they do that?? What chemical process during photosynthesis releases oxygen AND NO3?? I dont think it's possible? Why would fertilizers contain nitrogen??

EDIT: I'm not trying to be mean btw just prove a point ;)

No no, i wouldnt take it that way. i actually appreciate ur help. Im confused, lol and i can't find where i read that now. Oh well I am certainly willing to own up to it when im wrong. So i guess i shouldn't get an r/o unit for my freshwater tank?

[AABatteries]

I know plants absorb ates. So, I honestly think you should figure what is causing the ates. If you're running a UGF, don't think you are, that would be your ate problem.