Help me learn RO stuff

[Mmiller2001]

I use CSMB and 11% DPTA Fe. They have a combo product too. But what's important to know about CSMB is that it's EDTA chelated and only effective at pH below 6.8.

Edited September 10, 2022 by Mmiller2001

[modified lung]

On 9/10/2022 at 7:00 AM, Mmiller2001 said:

I'm not familiar with any process with ozone and CO2. 

I think OP was referring to buffers that have a chemical formula with 3 oxygens vs 4 oxygens. Like carbonate vs phosphate.

Edited September 10, 2022 by modified lung

[PerceptivePesce]

On 9/10/2022 at 12:32 PM, modified lung said:

I think OP was referring to buffers that have a chemical formula with 3 oxygens vs 4 oxygens. Like carbonate vs phosphate.

Yes, this, you deciphered me correctly.  I was talking about compounds that end in o3 or o4

Edited September 10, 2022 by PerceptivePesce

[Mmiller2001]

On 9/10/2022 at 11:32 AM, modified lung said:

I think OP was referring to buffers that have a chemical formula with 3 oxygens vs 4 oxygens. Like carbonate vs phosphate.

That's above my pea brain 😁

[modified lung]

On 9/10/2022 at 11:20 AM, Mmiller2001 said:

That's above my pea brain 😁

Same. Being too lazy too look into it, I'm guessing it depends. ...you like that cop out?

[PerceptivePesce]

I've been researching pre-made shrimp mixes, trying to find out what's in them, and/or reviewing their post-additionwater analysis. (One manufacturer replied with a water analysis!)

I've also been playing with rotalabutterfly.com and wondering if I could add different multiple Ca & Mg sources so it's not all Sulfide.  Maybe replace some of the Sulfide with some Na and Cl ions. Does anyone have any experience doing this or have any opinions on doing this?

Also, on the calculator, I noticed dolomite mineral adds Ca & Mg and increases kH.  Can anyone explain why?  Maybe rotala left out the CO3 part?

[PerceptivePesce]

Hey, y'all! My first 30g of 0ppm rodi is aerating right now.

I'm curious how long others around here aerate their rodi water? 

I've been monitoring the pH just to see what's going on. 4 hours after adding the airstones my pH dropped to 5.15.  That was 2 hours ago.  It's currently at 5.4

[Mmiller2001]

I don't aerate my RO water, it's unnecessary. Also, you can't pH 0TDS water, but the science says it's a pH of 7. 

[PerceptivePesce]

On 10/10/2022 at 1:28 AM, Mmiller2001 said:

I don't aerate my RO water, it's unnecessary. Also, you can't pH 0TDS water, but the science says it's a pH of 7. 

Cool 😎  I'll be able to fill my tank today.  I'm using your recipe @Mmiller2001 , i even set the ca:mg ratio to 3:1 It looks like this (4dGH & 4dKH):

CaSO4.2H2O 

Ca 18.45

S 14.76

dGH 2.58

 

MgSO4.7H2O 

Mg 6.08

S 8.02

dGH 1.4

 

K2CO3

K 55.8

CO3 42.82

dKH 4.01

 

I also got some CaCO3 to play with, and that recipe looks like:

CaCO3

Ca 14.1

CO3 21.12

dGH 1.97

dKH 1.97

 

CaSO4.2H2O 

Ca 4.1

S 3.28

dGH 0.57

 

MgSO4.7H2O 

Mg 6.08

S 8.02

dGH 1.4

 

K2CO3 

K 27.9

CO3 21.41

dKH 2

[PerceptivePesce]

I added the CaCO3 recipe. My pH meter says the water is 10.2

LOL

[Mmiller2001]

What's the reason for the 4dKH?

When nitrification begins, that pH will drop. 

[PerceptivePesce]

On 10/10/2022 at 10:14 AM, Mmiller2001 said:

What's the reason for the 4dKH?

When nitrification begins, that pH will drop. 

4 dKH is the low-end of reccomended goldfish parameters.

These are the numbers I chose to work with: Neocardinias, 4-8GH & 3-15 KH. Goldfish, 4-20GH & 4-8 KH.

[Mmiller2001]

Makes sense!

[PerceptivePesce]

In-case anyone is interested, I used @Mmiller2001recipe for the second batch of remineralized rodi; it's crystal clear and all parameters are what rotalabutterfly says they should be.

The first batch, with CaCO3, is still cloudy, and the ppm is ~20% lower than what the calculator said it should be.  I bought super fine CaCO3 powder. 

 

[PerceptivePesce]

I did my first water change today, about 20-25%.  My ammonia levels were in the caution range for 3 days before today, according to aco test strips.

Something about my GH isn't adding up.  I added 4dGH water and I keep getting 6dGH readings on my API tube tests; before and after WC.  I have added easy green, easy iron, and enzymes.  I know the easy green adds Mg, but surely not 2dGH?  If so, I may as well not remineralize rodi with Mg!

My hardscape could be leeching into the water, but wouldn't that affect KH, too?  Is there anything else that could be altering GH?

[PerceptivePesce]

Some additional info.  I didn't tube test my rodi water before putting in tank but the ppms were on point.

[PerceptivePesce]

I just realized that the API CA test is for saltwater, not freshwater.  Is there a reccomended freshwater CA test?

I just tested my tank water. It was 7dGH.  There must be something in my substrate/hardscape.