In the pursuit of providing the best water quality for your aquarium, you may find that the water coming out of your tap just does not have the correct parameters for your aquarium's inhabitants. Plain tap water can even contain toxic chemicals. One simple solution to this problem is to use a Reverse Osmosis (R.O.) unit to purify and soften the water.

Using the simple principle of applying a pressure gradient to a semi-permeable membrane, you can eliminate most of the chemicals found in the tap water and produce pure water. The semi-permeable R.O. membrane only allows very small molecules (such as H2O) to pass through it, effectively removing 90-99% of most water impurities including pesticides, arsenic, and heavy metals.

Freshwater Aquariums

For freshwater applications, using an R.O. unit will provide water without General Hardness (GH) or Carbonate Hardness (KH). This allows the addition of trace elements and electrolytes to match the natural water conditions of the fish we keep. The removal of the KH allows use of buffers to easily set the water's pH wherever you wish. This is great for plants and soft water loving fish like Discus and Angelfish.

Performing routine maintenance on your R.O. unit will ensure high quality water production and will extend the life of your unit. Replace sediment pre-filter and carbon block based on manufacturer recommendations or as soon as you see noticeable discoloration, reduction in production or drop in water pressure. Replace the R.O. membrane per manufacturer recommendations or use a TDS Meter to monitor its performance. Keep in mind, the quality of your source water will determine how often you will need to replace each component i.e., areas with greater quantities of dissolved solids and impurities will require more frequent changes.

Overall, R.O. units definitely benefit your fish and plants by removing impurities in your source water. Knowing what types of impurities your water contains helps you determine the best R.O. unit for your aquarium.