Question on water changes/top offs with RO/DI

[Sully]

I took some water (post water change) down to the lfs yesterday to be tested. I recently changed out the di filter so he asked me to bring down some ro/di water as well after about 50 or so gallons had run through to make sure everything was good. Well, I disconnected everything before I collected a small amount for him to test. I had already treated the water with aqausafe plus as I always do so I didn't take any of the RO/DI water since I thought the test wouldn't be accurate. When I mentioned this to him, he asked "why are you treating the water?" I shrugged and said, "I always have". He then went on to say stop treating the water as it will mess with the skimmer function. Something about the aquasafe coats the tube of the skimmer making it less effective against what your trying to skim out and it would actually strip trace elements out?

Can anyone else verify or shed some light on this? I guess it was just a habit to treat the water since I had been doing it for so long when I just used tap water. Thanks!

 

[NanaReefer]

You do not need to treat your RO/DI water with anything. The only testing to be done on it would be for TDS. (Total Dissolved Solids) This is to make sure your unit it working as it should. You can buy your own TDS meter for less then $20
As for the validity of Aquasafe coating anything? I don't know. But it doesn't matter since you won't be using it anymore, right?! Lol

 

[footballdude2k3]

I wouldn't add anything to the water if it is RODI, you're good to go right there.

 

[Sully]

Thanks!