Water conditioning

[dreamcatcherr9]

I was using Prime to condition tap water (for fresh water tank).

If using purified or R/O water, do you still need to add water conditioner??

 

[mike550]

If you’re running a RODI system I don’t think you need to use a water conditioner. If you’re using this for a freshwater tank there are a couple of Seachem products like Replenish or one of their trace products that might be helpful. For saltwater the salt mix takes care of most of the chemistry

 

[Cwentz758]

I’ve never used anything once I got my RODI system.

 

[dreamcatcherr9]

Thank you. Just double checking.

 

[The Aquatic Arsenal]

Technically no, but with that being said you need to know how the RO unit is setup and what disinfectant the local water treatment facility is using to insure all chlorine or chloramines is/are being filtered out.

 

[homer1475]

I use my RO/DI for my fresh tanks also. I do add seachems replenish and seachem neutral regulator.

 

[Uncle99]

Yes, if your water has chloramines

 

[The Opinionated Reefer]

Does adding something like API tap water conditioner do anything harmful to a reef tank if you are adding it to your ro/di water? I am not confident that my unit is filtering out Chloramine.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Does adding something like API tap water conditioner do anything harmful to a reef tank if you are adding it to your ro/di water? I am not confident that my unit is filtering out Chloramine.

It will certainly alter the bioavailability and chemical nature of trace elements present. I see no reason to add it.

API says this:

"It also detoxifies heavy metals in tap water. "

Which means it is making them not bioavailable. That isn't something you routinely want in a reef tank.

In emergency, OK. Not for routine use.