RO in a FOWLR - fact or fiction?

Lion-o · 05/31/2013, 12:26 PM

I searched and saw a lot of RODI vs RO reef threads, but not quite what I was looking for. I use RODI water exclusively in my reef tank and that will never change.

However, I'm adding on a new FOWLR tank and I've heard of people using regular old RO water to fill their systems. I've even seen someone that used straight hose water and mixed the salt in the sump chambers (which I have no idea how he got away with that with our Arizona water... but his fish looked great). So my question is... is RO water acceptable for a fish only tank? Is it the reef elements that require a DI? Or would you recommend sticking with just an RODI for both?

Cymonous · 05/31/2013, 12:34 PM

RO is acceptable and highly recommended at least over tap. But since you have a RODI, I would just stick with using RODI. Using RO means there is still going to be some TDS in the water.

disc1 · 05/31/2013, 12:50 PM

There are several reasons for running RODI on a saltwater tank. For reef tanks, there is always the concern about heavy metals. OK you don't have near the concern over those in a FOWLR unless you plan on having snails or shrimp or some other invertebrates in there.

The other main concern is nutrients. Algae looks just as ugly in a FOWLR as it does in a reef. If you already have the RODI, why not use it?

thegrun · 05/31/2013, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disc1

There are several reasons for running RODI on a saltwater tank. For reef tanks, there is always the concern about heavy metals. OK you don't have near the concern over those in a FOWLR unless you plan on having snails or shrimp or some other invertebrates in there.

The other main concern is nutrients. Algae looks just as ugly in a FOWLR as it does in a reef. If you already have the RODI, why not use it?

+1. Our city water is high in nitrates, if I used tap water all the water changes in the world wouldn't bring my nitrate levels down enough to prevent major hair algae growth.

Lion-o · 05/31/2013, 02:56 PM

thanks guys. That's what I assumed and had no plans to change to really change from my RODI.. More curious than anything (especially after seeing a "healthy" looking tank on hose water, lol).

disc1 · 05/31/2013, 03:40 PM

Healthy looking tanks on tap water certainly do happen.

To put it into perspective, there are also people who live to be over a hundred years old and smoke cigarettes every day. I personally know one. He still smokes a pack a day at 102. But that is the exception and not the norm. I'm not going to look at him and think I'll be so lucky.

05/31/2013, 12:26 PM	#1
Lion-o Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 367	RO in a FOWLR - fact or fiction? I searched and saw a lot of RODI vs RO reef threads, but not quite what I was looking for. I use RODI water exclusively in my reef tank and that will never change. However, I'm adding on a new FOWLR tank and I've heard of people using regular old RO water to fill their systems. I've even seen someone that used straight hose water and mixed the salt in the sump chambers (which I have no idea how he got away with that with our Arizona water... but his fish looked great). So my question is... is RO water acceptable for a fish only tank? Is it the reef elements that require a DI? Or would you recommend sticking with just an RODI for both? __________________ Elos Midi ~40G Midi Reef New Tank :D 300g FOWLR Lion Tank

05/31/2013, 12:34 PM	#2
Cymonous My Clown Attacks Me Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 2,105	RO is acceptable and highly recommended at least over tap. But since you have a RODI, I would just stick with using RODI. Using RO means there is still going to be some TDS in the water. __________________ 100 Gallon Long with 20L sump 10 Gallon Office Tank Current Tank Info: 2 False Percula Clowns, One Spot Foxface, Diamond Watchman Goby, Yellow Tail Damsel, Engineer Goby

05/31/2013, 12:50 PM	#3
disc1 -RT * ln(k) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Little Rock Posts: 9,705	There are several reasons for running RODI on a saltwater tank. For reef tanks, there is always the concern about heavy metals. OK you don't have near the concern over those in a FOWLR unless you plan on having snails or shrimp or some other invertebrates in there. The other main concern is nutrients. Algae looks just as ugly in a FOWLR as it does in a reef. If you already have the RODI, why not use it? __________________ David Current Tank: Undergoing reconstruction...

05/31/2013, 02:56 PM	#5
Lion-o Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 367	thanks guys. That's what I assumed and had no plans to change to really change from my RODI.. More curious than anything (especially after seeing a "healthy" looking tank on hose water, lol). __________________ Elos Midi ~40G Midi Reef New Tank :D 300g FOWLR Lion Tank

05/31/2013, 03:40 PM	#6
disc1 -RT * ln(k) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Little Rock Posts: 9,705	Healthy looking tanks on tap water certainly do happen. To put it into perspective, there are also people who live to be over a hundred years old and smoke cigarettes every day. I personally know one. He still smokes a pack a day at 102. But that is the exception and not the norm. I'm not going to look at him and think I'll be so lucky. __________________ David Current Tank: Undergoing reconstruction...