Ideal water before mixing salt.

[callen.haines]

I’m thinking about ideal water before I mix salt, should I get a reverse osmosis system if i have a UV sterilizer, water softener and iron remover already installed with my well water. also what parameters am i looking for in fresh water before I mix salt? thank you.

 

[ReefStable Verified Sponsor]

For as cheap as they are in the long run, I strongly suggest an RO Unit, possibly DI as well. The TDS meter is fairly cheap.

Here is an article on RO Water for Aquariums.

 

[mike550]

I’d highly recommend a RODI system. In addition to what the article said provided by @ReefStable, think of RODI water as a blank slate with nothing in the water. Then when you add your chosen salt mix you end up with saltwater that is exactly what you expect it to be.

Its not a very expensive investment given the importance of your water and what you will be putting into your tank.

 

[DaddyFish]

The biggest benefit of RO/DI (combined) is reducing the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) down to zero(0). That makes pH buffering and other parameters much easier to manage. The more "contaminants" in your source water, the more chemical additives required to obtain suitable parameters. It becomes a vicious cycle.

If your incoming water is well-filtered and "pre-conditioned", you may be able to modify a 3-stage RO/DI using a Carbon Block filter in the first canister, then to the RO Membrane, finally out through a DI cartridge/canister.

 

[callen.haines]

I’d highly recommend a RODI system. In addition to what the article said provided by @ReefStable, think of RODI water as a blank slate with nothing in the water. Then when you add your chosen salt mix you end up with saltwater that is exactly what you expect it to be.

Its not a very expensive investment given the importance of your water and what you will be putting into your tank.

The biggest benefit of RO/DI (combined) is reducing the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) down to zero(0). That makes pH buffering and other parameters much easier to manage. The more "contaminants" in your source water, the more chemical additives required to obtain suitable parameters. It becomes a vicious cycle.

If your incoming water is well-filtered and "pre-conditioned", you may be able to modify a 3-stage RO/DI using a Carbon Block filter in the first canister, then to the RO Membrane, finally out through a DI cartridge/canister.

For as cheap as they are in the long run, I strongly suggest an RO Unit, possibly DI as well. The TDS meter is fairly cheap.

Here is an article on RO Water for Aquariums.

Perfect, gonna go with the RODI system thanks guys.