Help Newbie help with extremely high ph

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

I set up the ro unit this morning, did a 30 minute flush as per instructions and now have a container filling. I was thinking of doing a 20% water change every couple days. Is that ok? too much, too little?

It's better, in terms of dilution math, to do larger water changes less frequently, than smaller ones more frequently. 50% weekly is the most common "standard" for most knowledgeable hobbyists here! I do 70% weekly, but that's a bit excessive.

You will have a better time with 50% once a week than with 20% every 2 days.

And is it ok to do the first water change with just straight ro? The calcium wont be here for a couple days but i really want to get this process started as im really worried about a couple of the fish. There is already low to no gh...

If the GH is already so low, then sure, you can, but I'd suggest waiting unless you NEED to perform a water change for whatever reason.

For remineralizing the water, im going to order alpha chemicals calcium CaSO4*2H2O and dose to 20-30ppm.

Perfect!

For magnesium, i couldnt find anything from alpha chemicals but someone said to just use epsom salt...? I do already have some plain epsom salt. If that works i will dose 4-8ppm.

Just make sure it's pure epsom salt, no dyes/fragrances/additives. You can also get all dry salts for freshwater from Nilcog or Green Leaf Aquariums, too!

If I did decide to raise kh, what should i get for that?

The most common is CaCO3, though most hobbyists are just fine running their tanks with 0-1 KH.

Once I get the levels where I want them and stable, am i still using liquid fertilizer? I assume i still need root tabs...?

Plants need to constantly be growing to avoid algae. The second a plant doesn't have all the nutrients it needs, it will stop growing.
The nutrients can come from aquasoil, root tabs, or liquid ferts. It's up to you to decide what works best, what you're willing to do, and what is required to maintain levels. I'd recommend an All in One liquid fert like APT 3, and it almost never hurts to stick root tabs beneath your plants!

 

[Koan]

is it ok to do the first water change with just straight ro?

When you're dealing with stressed livestock it's very tempting to make big changes because you're anxious.

These fish are already under physiologic stress, and an enormous KH change all at once will stress them even further. Their bodies have acclimated to your super high KH, and they will have to acclimate back down to the lower KH.

This takes time.

Safest for them is to change out maybe 10% of the water with RO every 5 to 7 days, until you have reached the KH level you intend to keep in your tank.

That way you will be doing your best not to kill them with kindness here

 

[Unexpected]

ok so i just want to clarify to make sure im doing everything properly.

I set up the ro unit this morning, did a 30 minute flush as per instructions and now have a container filling. I was thinking of doing a 20% water change every couple days. Is that ok? too much, too little?

And is it ok to do the first water change with just straight ro? The calcium wont be here for a couple days but i really want to get this process started as im really worried about a couple of the fish. There is already low to no gh...

For remineralizing the water, im going to order alpha chemicals calcium CaSO4*2H2O and dose to 20-30ppm.
For magnesium, i couldnt find anything from alpha chemicals but someone said to just use epsom salt...? I do already have some plain epsom salt. If that works i will dose 4-8ppm.
If I did decide to raise kh, what should i get for that?

Once I get the levels where I want them and stable, am i still using liquid fertilizer? I assume i still need root tabs...?

Am i missing anything

I'd just wait for the Ca. I'd also do 50% water changes just once a week. How large is the RO storage container?

 

[shandellrae]

It's better, in terms of dilution math, to do larger water changes less frequently, than smaller ones more frequently. 50% weekly is the most common "standard" for most knowledgeable hobbyists here! I do 70% weekly, but that's a bit excessive.

Won't that change the kh too much too fast? I normally do 40-50% wc weekly but I figured for switching from tap to ro that that I should do it slower...?

 

[Kwyet]

I would just switch to 50% changes once you’ve reached your desired levels. Until then, do small water changes (twice a week if you want to) to give the fish time to adjust. I would always prefer to err on the side of caution though.

 

[shandellrae]

I'd just wait for the Ca. I'd also do 50% water changes just once a week. How large is the RO storage container?

I only have a few 5 gallon water jugs right now. I didn't even think about how I'm going to heat the water before a wc...

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

Won't that change the kh too much too fast? I normally do 40-50% wc weekly but I figured for switching from tap to ro that that I should do it slower...?

My bad, you're correct. One option you could do is to remove the fish to a separate bucket, do the water change, then drip acclimate them over the course of 4-5 hours. Or, like you said, just do smaller WC to bring the KH down until it's near 1-2, then do larger changes.

I agree with previous comments though, I'd wait to do this until you can remineralize the RO water.

I only have a few 5 gallon water jugs right now. I didn't even think about how I'm going to heat the water before a wc...

If your tank has a heater itself, many hobbyists find this isn't a problem! in the wild fish are used to temp swings daily, and during fresh rain.
I'd say give it a try without heating, and if you see no adverse side effects, you're fine!

 

[shandellrae]

My bad, you're correct. One option you could do is to remove the fish to a separate bucket, do the water change, then drip acclimate them over the course of 4-5 hours. Or, like you said, just do smaller WC to bring the KH down until it's near 1-2, then do larger changes.

I agree with previous comments though, I'd wait to do this until you can remineralize the RO water.

If your tank has a heater itself, many hobbyists find this isn't a problem! in the wild fish are used to temp swings daily, and during fresh rain.
I'd say give it a try without heating, and if you see no adverse side effects, you're fine!

Last question, hopefully lol

I have tested the water from the ro filter. This is what I got from liquid test kit:
0 dkh
0 dgh
8 ph
I also got a ph and tds meter today:
17-21ppm
7.81ph (a few hours later, that same cup is now down to 7.31ph)

Does that sound right or OK?

 

[Unexpected]

Last question, hopefully lol

I have tested the water from the ro filter. This is what I got from liquid test kit:
0 dkh
0 dgh
8 ph
I also got a ph and tds meter today:
17-21ppm
7.81ph (a few hours later, that same cup is now down to 7.31ph)

Does that sound right or OK?

Maybe, I'm surprised the ro unit is putting that tds . Maybe try letting it run a bit, like an hour or so. Then dump that water and TDS a sample. Hopefully it will be nearer to 0.

I would dose the buckets to the GH and KH you want the tank to be, if you add any KH, and then do a one bucket water change a day. That will slowly raise and lower your numbers. Wouldn't need to remove the fish this way.

 

[techman81]

Maybe, I'm surprised the ro unit is putting that tds . Maybe try letting it run a bit, like an hour or so. Then dump that water and TDS a sample. Hopefully it will be nearer to 0

My Apec RO-90 does about the same.

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

Last question, hopefully lol

I have tested the water from the ro filter. This is what I got from liquid test kit:
0 dkh
0 dgh
8 ph
I also got a ph and tds meter today:
17-21ppm
7.81ph (a few hours later, that same cup is now down to 7.31ph)

Does that sound right or OK?

I agree with Unexpected, the TDS is perhaps a little high for an RO system, but maybe that is just purging from initial use?

pH in RO isn't reliable, which makes sense. There is 0KH, so no pH stability. Don't worry about pH of RO water, it will adjust to whatever your tank's pH equilibrium is once you add it!

 

[shandellrae]

I agree with Unexpected, the TDS is perhaps a little high for an RO system, but maybe that is just purging from initial use?

pH in RO isn't reliable, which makes sense. There is 0KH, so no pH stability. Don't worry about pH of RO water, it will adjust to whatever your tank's pH equilibrium is once you add it!

I've filled 2 5 gallon jugs and just re tested and it says 21ppm. My tap water is 480ppm. Whatever the case, it's better than it was before. I sure hope the fish and the plants appreciate this lol

Again, thank yall soooo much for all your insight. I really appreciate it!