What are my options for softening water?

[CAGE-RATTLER]

Obviously RO Filters seem to be the most popular option and more than likely i'll go that route.

Yes ive done some searching but still have questions on the basics.

I know the dip strips arent all that accurate compared to drop tests, and i'll be getting one soon, but my hardness doesnt seem to be as bad as alot of others ive seen post here. But evidently its keeping my eggs from being fertilized.

Both KH & GH seem to be close to 120 ppm

What would my least expensive option be for an RO unit??

And is that all i need ........... The filter unit itself ......... or is there other components to go with it?

[Harriett]

If I were you, I'd talk to Randall, resident Guru of all things RO.
Harriett

[Dave_Discus]

If you are sure your GH is really 120ppm....you are almost there.

I make up all of my water. I do not trust the tap.


I started with a 50gpd unit....but upgraded.
I would get a 100gpd deal off ebay. Dirt cheap.
I would also get one with DI as well.

My ro water comes out 007ppm.
I add some ro right to get the GH up to 225.
I add some ph stable to get the kh to 3-4.
This puts the ph at 6.6

This has been working good for me.

Get an ro. People will say the ebay one is cheap...they are
probably trying to sell you one themselves. Like this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-6-stage-100-...QQcmdZViewItem

I'd get this one.

[CAGE-RATTLER]

If you are sure your GH is really 120ppm....you are almost there.

I make up all of my water. I do not trust the tap.


I started with a 50gpd unit....but upgraded.
I would get a 100gpd deal off ebay. Dirt cheap.
I would also get one with DI as well.

My ro water comes out 007ppm.
I add some ro right to get the GH up to 225.
I add some ph stable to get the kh to 3-4.
This puts the ph at 6.6

This has been working good for me.

Get an ro. People will say the ebay one is cheap...they are
probably trying to sell you one themselves. Like this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-6-stage-100-...QQcmdZViewItem

I'd get this one.

Looks like alot more than i need ....... especially with the storage tank.

I dont think 4 gallons would go very far would it?

I'd probably run it to a 55 gallon barrel to do a 50/50 mix or whatever is needed to do WC's on the breeder tanks.

What about the one they have listed thats just an RO filter without DI & storage drum for $60??
What are the benefits of having the DI filter also?

I dont know alot about these so any info and tips i can get would be appreciated.

[lhforbes12]

Cage,
Harriet is correct, talk to Randal. You are correct, you do NOT need the little 4 gallon storage tank. I doubt that Dave uses his. I also agree with Dave that getting the 100 GPD unit is the way to go. I like having the DI filter, but most don't use it (It is expensive to run, far more so than just the RO alone). Be aware that all of these units are giving you the "best case scenario" about output, you need perfect conditions to get that much out (70F in, 60 psi in) you may only get half of that per day. Also there is a LOT of "waste" water. Frankly, if your water is only 120 ppm you really don't even need RO, it's plenty soft enough already.

[CAGE-RATTLER]

Frankly, if your water is only 120 ppm you really don't even need RO, it's plenty soft enough already.

But unfortunately not low enough for the eggs to fertilize.

I had a pair in my community tank with a slightly lower hardness and PH and they got to wigglers ............ the same pair in my breeder tanks turn white within 24 hours.

Thats why im looking for my cheapest option to lower the hardness.

How much water is wasted with just a simple RO filter?? and how much wasted with the DI added?

I believe i can use the waste water for the grow out tanks correct?

By the way .......... how does the waste water differ from my tap water after being filtered?


I think Randal posted in another thread that he's not selling anything at the moment.

[lora]

I buy my R/O water from a make-your-own wine store, costs about $3 for a 5 gallon jug, that you can refill yourself. There are also stores around here that sell nothing but water.

[lhforbes12]

But unfortunately not low enough for the eggs to fertilize.

I had a pair in my community tank with a slightly lower hardness and PH and they got to wigglers ............ the same pair in my breeder tanks turn white within 24 hours.

Thats why im looking for my cheapest option to lower the hardness.

Makes sense to me

How much water is wasted with just a simple RO filter?? and how much wasted with the DI added?

I believe it's 4 or 5 times waste to output water

I believe i can use the waste water for the grow out tanks correct?

Yep! Actually you can use it for all of your tanks, except the breeders of course

By the way .......... how does the waste water differ from my tap water after being filtered?

It's already de-chlorinated, having run through the two carbon blocks removes all traces of chlorine

I think Randal posted in another thread that he's not selling anything at the moment.

I know, but I think he is selling them again now. I could be mistaken though.

[CAGE-RATTLER]

Till i get an RO filter .................. Ive been looking for places that sell RO water but havent had any luck.

But i stopped at MARS yesterday and saw they had gallons of purified water and figured it was just distilled water but bought 2 gallons of it.

When i got home (and put on my glasses) i saw on the label that it is in fact RO water and tested it and got a reading of KH=40 ppm and GH=0 ppm. My wife also had a gallon of what she said was distilled water and i tested it also and got the same readings.

Im wanting to try to add some to my 20 high breeder tanks when i notice my fish ready to lay again but not sure how much to add.

I figured when i see them ready ............. i could lower the water level so i wouldnt have to add as much RO water to get a lower hardness.

My question is if i lower the finished level to 15 gallons how much RO water should i have in there to get where i want to be??

My hardness right now is both right around 120 ppm for both KH & GH.


This obviously isnt a way i want to have to always lower my hardness (especially at $1.13 per gallon) but till i get an RO Filter .......... its worth a shot i guess .... lol.

Would 10 gallons tap and 5 gallons RO take me where i need to be?

[CAGE-RATTLER]

Which hardness level is the most important for optimal discus breeding ..... the GH or KH?? and what should they be?

Im actually surprized there is no sticky in this section for optimal water quality for breeding!

And telling me the optimal TDS reading wont do me any good as i dont have a TDS tester ..... lol.

[sleonard]

I am able to buy RO water from a vending machine at the corner Circle K for 20 cents a gallon but even that got real expensive doing large water changes on several tanks. (in my case I was unable to use any tap at all due to contamination)

10 gallons @ 120ppm + 5 gallons @ 40ppm would put you at about 93 ppm and that should be low enough but still at the upper range. Try it and see.

Scott

[Dave_Discus]

This hobby ain't cheap...I can see the money flying away already,
but I will say an RO set up is most likely the best purchase
can make. A close second would be ph probe, good test kits,

I thought at first the water chemisty would be so different from my salt water days. It's not. Different parameters, but water is water.

I wish my tap water came out 6.6 ph 050 tds no Ammonia...etc...
But I got liquid rock. With chemicals.

Buck up and get an ro...90% of this hobby is chemistry.
Prepare the labratory.

[CAGE-RATTLER]

I am able to buy RO water from a vending machine at the corner Circle K for 20 cents a gallon but even that got real expensive doing large water changes on several tanks. (in my case I was unable to use any tap at all due to contamination)

10 gallons @ 120ppm + 5 gallons @ 40ppm would put you at about 93 ppm and that should be low enough but still at the upper range. Try it and see.

Scott

So im assuming your saying the KH is the hardness factor i need to lower correct??

[CAGE-RATTLER]

This hobby ain't cheap...I can see the money flying away already,
but I will say an RO set up is most likely the best purchase
can make. A close second would be ph probe, good test kits,

I thought at first the water chemisty would be so different from my salt water days. It's not. Different parameters, but water is water.

I wish my tap water came out 6.6 ph 050 tds no Ammonia...etc...
But I got liquid rock. With chemicals.

Buck up and get an ro...90% of this hobby is chemistry.
Prepare the labratory.

"Bucking up" is easier said than done right now and i plan on getting one when i have the extra money!

Right now my life is in a bit of disarray as my fiancee that's been living with me for almost 12 years just bought a house and getting ready to move into ........... and im not going with her .... so i will have all the bills here to take care of and im not working full time right now.

Ive been trying to start my own business for awhile and lets just say ......... I dont have a steady income coming in so any spending right now is tough to do.

[Dave_Discus]

I will check with some freinds and see if anyone has a unit around.

Sorry to hear about the Fiancee moving out...that can't be good.

What kind of business? I have my own Flooring business...it's
good when you can work for yourself.

GH is basically a measure of total hardness, I think for breeding
you would want to be around 50ppm from what I have read.

KH is the part of hardness that "buffers" or keeps the ph stable
while acids produced by the nitrogen cycle try to eat away
at it lowering the ph. I try to keep kh around 3 degrees.
Now I haven't bred (Discus!) yet, but I have done alot of research.

Have you ever seen one of those "tapwater conditioners" at a pet store?
Those will make some soft water on the cheap for awhile. You could also
capture some rainwater and test it too?