Will RO make any difference

[Sb1415]

I see lot of discussion on plants needing soft water, and the utility of RO water.

We get hard water that goes through a softener. The water that I finally add has very high KH and low GH and a highish pH. I then do top offs with the same water (with prime of course) and do weekly 50% water change. My usual water parameters before a water change are ph:8, GH/KH both at about 150-180 ppm (seiryu stones)

The water that I add from my tap has ph 7.5-8.0, high KH and lower GH.

My plants overall seem to be doing well and the fish that I have are fine; but I am curious if I will get even better growth if I use RO water. It takes the stems about 3-4 weeks to get to the top on this 29 gallons. I do easy green fertilizer, front load with a good dose (2 squirts) and then dose daily (1 squirt). I dose micros once .

 

[Unexpected]

Certain plants, for sure. Some out right need that lower pH. Overall, growth is better but it's not necessary. The pictures you posted look pretty darn good. And I've seen a tank Dennis Wong posted by a person I can't remember who had a 15dKH and it was amazing.

All that said, it's fun to adjust GH and KH and try different numbers just to see how the plants respond. I'd say go for it because it's a fun learning experience.

 

[Art]

Any change in environment chemistry can make a difference. It depends on whether that difference is better, worse or indifferent for your plants.

Do you have any that are known to prefer soft water? Are you having trouble with any of them?

Growth speed should not be your determining factor. In fact, many people, like me, prefer slower but healthy growth. It means less work for me.

Lastly, RO can be expensive and/or labor intensive. My recommendation is to consider it if you know it will make a positive difference that matters to you.

 

[Sb1415]

Here is my plant list
Anubias multiple types, Java fern, Ludwigia repens, Ludwigia super red, Monte Carlo, Alternanthera rosaefolia, Pogostemon stellatus, Rotala rotundifolia, Hemianthus tripartita (H. tripartita), Cryptocoryne Sri Lanka, Amazon Sword and bacopa carolina

The only plant that did not grow well was mayaca fluvitalis.

I like tinkering with stuff , like most of you; but mainly trying to see if I should use RO for an upcoming new setup in the next few months.

Do you guys have suggestions for plants that only do well in soft water? I am going to give it a try and maybe that would be my incentive to try RO.

 

[Unexpected]

Syngonanthus types really want a lower pH. Maybe try some syngonanthus Belen