R/O Required for Plant tanks?

[chazman113]

I have 2 150g refugium type tanks that aren't tied to any main tanks. I am selling refugium packs with the macro I grow in them (plus some I catch wild) in addition to snails, live sand, pods, rock rubble ect. I was thinking, should I just cut off the r/o part of my make up water and just use water that has gone through the prefilters (5 micron, GAC, 1 micron). I figure if some phosphates or nitrates get through it would only speed the growing process, dont you think?

 

[sjvl51]

If your water only had phosphates and nitrates, then you could use it. Some water has other chemicals/minerals that may have an impact on your snails, etc - ie copper which the RO filter will remove. Without knowing what is in your water and knowing if your water contents changes (well water depends upon the season) it is impossible to say. Many towns are adding chloramine to their water which is deadly to fish and possibly snails, etc. I don't know if your prefilters would remove this.

JMO

Vickie