RO Water source

[Klaus777]

Hi, I haven't started my tank yet, I still have lots of questions first. Which is there a better water source to use for a RO unit, Hard water or softened water?

 

[AZDesertRat]

Always use softened water if you have it available.

 

[Saltcity]

A softener pulls out calcium and magnesium from "hard" water and replaces it with sodium....

I'm gonna guess soft water is easier on the filters/membranes but ..........?

 

[Playa-1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13557239#post13557239 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AZDesertRat
Always use softened water if you have it available.

:thumbsup:

 

[Klaus777]

I'm guessing that's because softened water removes a lot of heavy metals from the water, right?
So then once I have my RO water mixed to the proper salinity, what else will I need to add to the water to get it ready for livestock?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

It is because softened water is less likely to clog the RO membrane with precipitated calcium or magnesium carbonate. Using softened water you may actually deplete the DI faster, because sodium is more poorly rejected by the membrane than are calcium or magnesium, but the membrane may last longer.

SO then once I have my RO water mixed to the proper salinity, what else will I need to add to the water to get it ready for livestock?

If you use a suitable salt mix, nothing. if the salt mix happens to be deficient, then you might need to boost it specifically for that mix, like calcium and magnesium in Instant Ocean.

You may find these useful:

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners, Part 1: The Salt Water Itself
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/rhf/index.php

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners, Part 2: What Chemicals Must be Supplemented
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/rhf/index.php

The "How To" Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners, Part 3: pH
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/index.php

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners,
Part 4: What Chemicals May Detrimentally Accumulate
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-09/rhf/index.php

 

[Klaus777]

Thanks everyone for the help. Looks like I've got some more reading to do.