New to RO/DI water use
 

I have a 210 gal FOWLR that has been running for over a year now. I finaly got tired of the all day water change. You know 8 hours making water with one of those tap water filters and a 40 gallon big brute trash bin.
I am lucky enough to have a spot, somewhat close to water, a drain, and the tank, that I could build a water prep area. And with a flick of a switch, my water change is done. Well, its not quite that easy ,but it has saved me hours of watching water flow, and the occasional wet floor.
So what I need to know, are there any additives I should be adding to my new ro/di water?
I use IO salt and I know that it is a little low in ca and mg, probably why I'm not getting good coraline growth. I,d like to pay more attention to those levels also. What should I use? Liquid or a powder buffer and what kind.
Thanks.

I'm using bulk Ca and Mg from littlesilvermax to supplement my IO.

Both BRS and Littlesilvermax sell bulk powdered ca and mg. They are sponsers here
Otherwise , a calcium reactor with a bottle of CO2

Found trying to use a reactor to bring up levels was just spiking the alk. Once I clued in to supplement the ca/mg first, then maintain with a reactor things settled down.

FOWLR, I'd probably skip the cost of a reactor as will find things fairly steady with water changes only and can always tweak with a bit of the bulk chemicals if needed.

I am also new to RO/DI use. I just got my unit today. I have a quick question. Sorry to leach of your leach of your post salty.

Is the efficiency of the unit (waste: product) temperature sensitive (i.e higher water temp = less waste)? my unit is rated at 50gpd but i know that is based on ideal conditions (60psi and 77'F).

Rocco, the efficiency of the system won't be effected by the inline temperature, but the GPD rating will be.

Salty, what's the reasoning behind supplementing on a FOWLR? Just coralline growth or other reasons as well?

Thanks Myka... thats what i meant:biggrin:

so hoe does temp actually affect gpd

Not sure, but it does! :D

Hi Myka, I am getting ready to switch to a reef tank, so I would like to know a little more about calcium and other supplements I will be needing.

there is a easy way to improve efficiency, u can add a another membrane and produce double what your making and still use the original waste water amount. understand?


as for adding chems, i am using the GHL profilux doser with the balling salts. I have no problem with calcium its just keeping up with mag, and alk..