My little water treatment plant

In light of the fact that the tap water around here is getting worse by the week I decided to set up a little garden shed with a 100gpd RO/DI unit and some sediment and carbon block filters.

The water is coming from the main tank through the first sed/carbon filter to the RO unit, from there into a 300gal storage tank. The outgoing water is passing through another sediment carbon filter before reaching my discus tanks.

The plan is to switch my wilds to pure RO (with added minerals if necessary), to entice some some more color and potentially breeding behavior out of them.

Once the newly planned aquarium becomes a reality I might have to upgrade the RO unit, but for now it’s surpassing the 100gpd due to the warm tap water.


Attachment 115462

Excuse the dirty floor, had some minor leaks and I live in the middle of the desert 😀

Hi Tobi, when my wilds were spawning I found they would not spawn until late in their second year and they would generally start in February which I think is when the wet season begins in their natural waters. Do you have control over the temp of the water coming from your water treatment plant. I had something similar but on a smaller scale.
Pat

Hi Pat,

I can’t control the temp this time of year, tap and outside temp are approx 105f right now. In the winter I can influence by adding heaters to the storage tank.

Tobi thats a great start to your system. You can always stack another 100 gpd membrane on top of the one you have to double the volume.

What are your tap water parameters?

al

Tap is 7.8-8 ph, 300 tds, krept up from below 6.5 and 100tds

Is that well water?

Desalinated sea water as far as I know. Which usually has fairly low tds, but I’m guessing they’re adding stuff to make it potable, not sure.

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Originally Posted by Swedgin

Desalinated sea water as far as I know. Which usually has fairly low tds, but I’m guessing they’re adding stuff to make it potable, not sure.

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Its probably also being buffered to prevent pipe corrosion. That would explain of why its changed. I don't know how things work there Tobi but are you able to call the water supplier and find out how they treat it? Re-mineralized RO is great for pairs and wild but if you have to do that for your fry grow out water its going be a real hassle and can get expensive. Most here in the USA use a mix of Tap and Ro, or switch to Tab for the fry. It would be a good idea to figure out whats in your tap before you get to the breeding. Unlike Domestics wilds in captivity tend to breed in a limited window.... be a shame to miss it!

al