More on RO and pH

> Hi George,
> My apologies I retract that post I wasn't thinking
> straight, it was late at night and I had just got home from a party
> rather the worse for wear!!. My statement re. drinking water was
> correct though I should have said it referred to RO/DI bottled water. I
> still wouldn't drink water with a TSD reading of 500!.
> regards and apologies again,
> unclenorm.

> http://www.wetwebmedia.com/rofaq3.htm
>
> - RO Questions -
> HI guys, Bryan here.
> <Hi, Bryan, JasonC on this end...>1
> Have some questions regarding water makeup with RO. <OK.> Read thru F&Q's
> and would like some help clarifying some things. OK here goes. Make up
> water to add to tank: I take my RO water and aerate and heat for a day to
> drive off CO2 and increase dissolved O2. (this next order is where I'm a
> little confused) Then add my salt mix (Tropic Marine) aerate for a day.
> Test for salinity, pH, and ALK, add buffer as needed from the test
> results. Sound OK? <I would add buffers at this point, before you add the
> expensive salt. RO water is depleted of minerals and will take them up
> like a sponge, potentially leaving you with a lower than desired pH. Best
> to add either baking soda or a commercial buffer like the Seachem
> product.>
> Evaporation top-off: Take RO water, aerate and heat for a day. This is
> where I'm a little unsure. Test the water parameters and buffer as
> according? <I'm not sure you need to heat the top off, unless you add it
> in bulk quantities.> Set pH and Buffer according to main tank display,
> right? <Ideally, yes.> Last thing to help me clarify. In the display tank
> I'll use ESV 2 part B-Ionic for ALK and calcium. for top off and make up
> water I'll probably use SeaChem reef builder. Do using these 2 different
> buffers in the water have any adverse affects? <No. The two part additive
> is a 'system' so that the buffers compliment the calcium additive. The
> buffering in your top-off is really only making sure the RO doesn't lower
> the pH of the tank.> Ok last thing for real. IYO who or what company has
> the best all around supplements/additives, Mg, Br, Iodide etc... (just
> wondering, only using if test for and find a need) <I don't have any
> particular preference, but I do try to stay away from Kent and Mark Weiss
> products.>
> Thanks for your help Bryan.
> <Cheers, J -- >
>
> - RO Questions -
> Jason, Bryan again, thanks for quick response and great info. <My
> pleasure.> You helped clarify things for me about RO water treatment. I
> was a little confused about the order of adding buffer and salt. I had
> read somewhere to buffer then add salt and then last night read someone
> from WWM was adding salt then buffer. Got a little confused. This is
> probably a silly question. But when buffering the raw RO water, are you
> shooting
> to buffer to the target range for the main display or just adding enough
> to add some minerals to the water so it doesn't act like a sponge when you
> add the salt? <The latter, just enough so that the RO doesn't deplete the
> buffers in the salt.>
> Thanks again Bryan
> <Cheers, J -- >
>
> One more RO/DI question
> Hi again,
> <Hello!>
> I was wondering what the best procedure would be for introducing RO/DI
> water to an established aquarium. Should I just begin using it for top
> off and regular water changes, with no changes to my usual routine; or,
> should I begin with one or more, larger than normal water changes?
> <Makes little/no difference. Test the pH and make it match your aquarium
> and of course...match the temp to that of the aquarium>
> As per my last email, I have found 'RO Right' and 'Osmo Prep Marine' (both
> by Kent), are these types of additives necessary? recommended?
> <Test your pH to see if it matches your tank. If not buffer it up using
> baking soda or other buffer fluid/powder. I am not familiar with RO Right
> but if it's a buffer agent (and it should state that on the label) then it
> will work as well as anything else>
> Thanks again,
> <You're more than welcome! David Dowless>
> Adam
>
> RO/DI Questions
> Hi guys,
> I am a few days from purchasing the Typhoon 3 RO/DI from
> http://www.airwaterice.com/Typhoon%20lll.htm , if you know anything about
> this model (positive or negative), I would appreciate your input.
> <I have no first hand experience nor know anyone with this brand.>
> I've read that after processing the water through the RO/DI you have to
> use some sort of supplement to replenish certain essentials that are
> removed by the RO/DI process.
> <Correct. Best to read through the articles and FAQ files on treating RO
> or DI water. My protocol (briefly) is to aerate, heat, mix salt, test pH,
> alkalinity, and calcium, adjust with additives, and use.>
> Can you please point me to a vendor where I can find these additives?
> <Just about any good buffer will work.>
> Also, any recommendations on a brand name for the additive is appreciated.
> <I use Seachem's Marine Buffer and Reef Builder.>
> Thanks, Adam
> <You are welcome. -Steven Pro>
>
> Buffering Top Off Water
> I buffer my top off water after aerating for a day. If I test for
> KH/Alkalinity, what should my results be before I use the top off water?
> <Ugh, what?>
> Should I be getting these results immediately after adding the buffer?
> <I would wait until the next day. You are looking for trends here, not
> immediate changes.>
> I don't want to use too much. I am using Seachem Reef Builder.
> <I would add the same amount every other day, testing on the odd days for
> one week. Then look back at your records and note the trend. You will then
> know if you must adjust up or down. Repeat this procedure for a few weeks
> until you get a feel for your tank's needs. Then just double check every
> couple of months as things grow, you add new corals, etc. your tank's
> demands will change.>
> Thanks
> <You are welcome. -Steven Pro>
>
> RO/DI Use
> I am currently resetting up my 125 gallon tank. I am going to be setting
> it up as a FOWLR tank. I have a 125 main tank, 55 gallon sump tank, and a
> 38 High refugium sharing the same sump. I am looking to do this right this
> time from the start. I have never used RO/DI before and would like to take
> the plunge.
> <I highly recommend all marine tanks use purified water. You will save
> time and money over tap water by not having to battle nuisance algae
> problems.>
> The tap water in my area is hard and worked for my cichlids, but I don't
> trust it for a reef or salt setup. My confusion comes when it comes to
> adding the RO water. I have seen on the FAQ's two opinions. One saying its
> ok to plumb the RO directly into the tank for auto top offs and other
> opinions saying its not the best thing to do.
> <They are both right. I have seen people use their RO water straight out
> of it for automatic top offs, but it is not the best option. Taking RO
> water, storing it for a day, aerating it, and perhaps using it with
> Kalkwasser is the best.>
> Can you help clear this up?
> <See above. Hopefully you will understand my explanation.>
> I don't wanna make a mistake before I even restart this thing. What
> options do I have here? Any help clearing this up would be awesome.
> Thanks, Tim Turner of Reading, PA
> <You are welcome. -Steven Pro>
>
>

> http://www.wetwebmedia.com/rofaq3.htm
>