swapping tap to ro

[tiger terror]

Looking for advice for switching an established tank (20g tall)w/plants&livestock from tap to ro...my guy at the lfs suggested 4 weekly 5g temp matched wc's with ro..is this the safest way to go about this?

 

[Berylla]

Why are you switching to RO?

 

[Coursair]

If you use pure RO you'll have to add trace elements via product like Equilibrium.

I use part RO or Distilled plus at least half Tap if I need to lower TDS etc...

 

[tiger terror]

For my fish & I'd like different options when it comes to plants...current ph is 8.0,I recently acquired a gbr pair&would like to handle some of the more delicate plants..I have 2 other 100% ro tanks which I use seachem's replenish&prime with already....so no stranger to the process...just would like to know if there are any risks associated with the change over...the tank is very well established(13 months) as well..any advice would be appreciated...thanks

 

[Rivercats]

There is no risk as long as you do it slowly. In the beginning it took about 6 weeks to do the RO change in the 220g. Your rams will appreciate the softer water.

 

[tiger terror]

There is no risk as long as you do it slowly. In the beginning it took about 6 weeks to do the RO change in the 220g. Your rams will appreciate the softer water.

Thanks Janis for chiming in,wondering if the 5g's a week is enough or should I go with more?

 

[tiger terror]

Also wondering what if any dwarf plant species I can keep after the swap,ideas? Tank is lit by a dual t5 ho with 1 6700k&1 colormax...also dose dry ferts using pps pro method..

 

[Coursair]

Also wondering what if any dwarf plant species I can keep after the swap,ideas? Tank is lit by a dual t5 ho with 1 6700k&1 colormax...also dose dry ferts using pps pro method..

Are you adding CO2 or Excel ?

I'm sure you can find some smaller plants that will grow for you. Crypt parva, etc...
I love Crypts so they are always a go to for me.

 

[Rivercats]

I forgot the size of your tank . Refresh my memory. Are you looking for a carpet or just some smaller growing plants?

Dwarf Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis), Pogostemon helferi (my favorite), and as mentioned Crypt Parva. But you can use most stem plants and keep them trimmed low too. I do that alot. We need to PM talk about the swap as my daughter is on vacation mid April.

 

[tiger terror]

Are you adding CO2 or Excel ?

I'm sure you can find some smaller plants that will grow for you. Crypt parva, etc...
I love Crypts so they are always a go to for me.

I dose dry ferts&glut at ml per g.

 

[tiger terror]

A lill update: did a 5g wc last nite using reconstituted ro...the rams almost immediately began cleaning spawn sites&a new found attitude is being exhibited towards my hand when I enter the tank...Attack Attack Attack! Mainly directed towards me leaving the other inhabitants alone...

 

[tiger terror]

Completed the swap & now at 100% reconstituted ro...did this comfortably in a week's time with no adverse effects on the live stock...

 

[Rivercats]

Hope this helps your spawning!

 

[tiger terror]

Hope this helps your spawning!

Thank you but I currently have to females on there now&will introduce a male in a week of so...

 

[Rivercats]

You planning on removing the female who isn't chosen?

 

[tiger terror]

Yes most definitely...I can move one to another tank...