RO/DI for Ecosystem filtration

[pounder]

I have a 120 gallon using the ecosystem method. I am interested in using RO/DI. Does anyone have experience with this?
The reason I am doing this is for the reduction of phosphate and silicates. My salifert test indicates there is no phosphate in the tap water. Can I trust this test?

 

[brandon4291]

Wow you are lucky to have no phosphate in your water supply, we have plenty to go around here. I think one of the major reasons people like to use RO/DI water for water changes and topoffs is because its very pure for sure, and you can set the ionic balances and nutrient balance any way you like before adding to your tank. Even without phosphates in your water, there is likely a host of other tag-along chemicals and compounds such as flourides and various ammonia/nitrogen compounds--I'd say distilled water can't be beat. Its what I use.

Certain water purifier units reduce calcium/magnesium General Hardness components by switching out the ions in a ration of 2 to 1 (IIRC) with regular sodium ions...not sure what effect this has on our marine ionic balance but Id prefer to use thin-film strained RO units or just go with distilled water from the start.

HTH brandon429

 

[Will C1]

a RO/DI system is probably the best investment you can make, if you dont have good water from the start your never gonna have really good success espically for a reef tank. i used to spend like $30 a month on water just to do top-offs and water changes so a add it up to a yearly cost and decided if i bought a RO/DI unit i would actually save money.

 

[Deep6]

I have a ECO also,,,
I only put RO/DI water in my tank,,,
If you pay for your water install the unit near a Washing Machine and let the waste water emptie into the washer to conserve water....
HTH

 

[jhaag]

I think the most important question you have to ask here is are you having problems with nuisance algea growth? I have a 90gal using the ecosystem method filled with softies and LPS. I actually had an RO/DI unit from my old house. Now that I have my own well, the water pressure sucks for use with the RO/DI unit so I gave it up over 7 months ago and simply run my water through a 1 micron prefilter and carbon block. I haven't seen a single drawback in my tank. Unless I see nuisance algea start to grow or any other issues, I am really not inclined to back. In all honesty, I think my ecosystem setup looks 100 times better then my old tank which used exclusively RO/DI and heavy protein skimming. In theory, the macro algea in your sump should consume the phosphates and silicates out of your water anyway. Eitherway, it's completely your call and this is just my $0.02