I’ve caught the Multiple Tank Syndrome bug. I would love to get a (few?) bigger tank. 20? 40? 55gal? I haven’t decided. But if I get a larger tank, I won’t be able to use our POU RO system anymore for tank water. I will be using KCMO (proper - I live near Zona Rosa) water. The water reports available online make it seem like the water will work okay with the exception of two concerns: pH levels are ~8-10 and copper levels are 1-3ppm (I’ve heard elevated copper is unsafe for invertebrates like neocaridina shrimp). Does anyone else use KCMO water for their tanks? If so, does it need any specific prep to make it “tank safe” besides a standard water conditioner?
Lastly, any advice for weekly water changes on larger tanks? Currently I just use my 2qt pitcher to remineralize and condition water then pour it in. For draining, I use a 5gal bucket. I feel like if I get a 40 or 55gal, the 5gal bucket won’t cut it anymore!
Thanks as always!
Kyra
Hi Kyra,
I live in OP but was were you're at using RO water and high pH. This is what I did/do..
I still used RO water. After, you get the tank filled the first time it's a matter of water changes and top off. So it just took some time waiting for the RO water.
I have issues with chloramine so I always age my water (let it sit for 24 hrs.)
I found that my RO water would have a high pH but if I let it sit for a few days it gets to neutral.
My tap has a pH of 9 or 10. Bright blue. It's an ongoing problem since I have fish that like acidic water. When I use tap water I make sure what I have in my tanks promote acidic water or balance out the pH. The most effective is probably peat moss (fluval has some if you want to play it safe) but use drift wood and stuff like catappa leaves/bark and other botanicals. I've been using mostly alder cones. I also use fluval soil that lowers the pH. I'll reduce the pH of the water before I add it to the tank and add it slowly not to shock the fiah. I've been transitioning my tanks/fish for tap water. Some of my fish will always need RO water.
Contrary to what most people tell you, I don't do regular water changes. I do them as needed. I have a lot of plants and I just top them off with RO water. My heavily stocked tanks I end up doing water changes. My licorice gourami have never experienced a water change. I let the water evaporate as much as a third of the tànk and then slowly add straight RO water. This also promotes breeding with some species.
Bottom line, it's a bit of trial and error and do what works for you.
@thefishlady This is an incredibly helpful response, thank you. My plan is to set up a dirted tank that is heavily planted so I might experiment with adding peat or other botanicals to an empty filter pump. Will also start experimenting with leaving my RO water out and testing it to see how it changes over time.
again, greatly appreciated!
With.KCMO.water.I.left.the.membrane.off.ran.city.water.thru.sediment.and.two.Chloramine.carbon.filter.cartridges.
No.DI.resin.or.membrane.....kept.water.parameters.consistent.and.easier.....I.was.able.to.plumb.water.supply.directly to.tanks.GL
Why do you leave off the membrane and resin?
@thefishlady no.need.to.mineralize water...plus.saves.cost.on.resin.and.waste.water.....on.kcmo.water.-membrane.was.only.giving.me.1gal.to.every.5.gals.of.waste.water...added.booster.pump.still.1:3
btw: used.waste.water.in.my.frontosa.breeding.tank
Good to know, thank you! I ran tests to see how our tap water looks and it seems pretty good! gH = 8 ; kH = 2 with a bit of ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates (0.5, 0.5, & 5ppm respectively). I turned off our water softener some time ago. I was mostly worried about the pH which my kit can’t even register because it’s so high! But it sounds like the water will eventually “mellow” and the pH will even out. Excited to not waste so much RO water and ditch the gH and kH boosters!
@thefishlady Lessons I have learned. Aging water with chloramine will do no good. You have to use RO or a water conditioner. Chloramine is not a gas, but a mineral. I learned that years ago. Some fish can survive in water that has chloramine in it. Cory cats will die from Ammonia poisoning. I killed a bunch before I learned my lesson. I don't micromanage my water. A lot of fish do well in my city water. I do have an advantage by having Independence Mo. Water. It is consistent and doesn't vary much. It has taken numerous awards in the W Virginia Berkley water contest. I do have an RO unit, but have not installed it yet. A lot of fish adjust to our hard water and spawn. Some fish eggs will not hatch in our hard water. Then you need to adjust the water hardness.