Poor Water Quality.. Really LI??

[wnlandfo]

Hey MR,


I just moved to Long Island and I think I have a water problem. I went from very pristine NY water (after making water with my RODI) to poor water quality (50ppm). What do Long Islanders do in regards to making water? I have a the CoralLife Pure Flo II RO Unit that I bought years ago. Do I need one that is better? After doing my first (LI) water change on Saturday, I noticed a build up of brown algae-looking residue on my sand. Any ideas?? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[KathyC]

Be happy you don't live in NJ! I hear their water is even worse than ours here on LI!

Yes, you need to use ro or ro/di water here in your tank. You will probably need to change all of the filters in your unit and then check to see what the TDS is on the output line. If it is still high (above like 2) you will likely have to change the Membrane as well.

You mention that you just moved to LI - perhaps the brown residue on your sand is from the cycle of the tank (assuming it is going through a cycle?) It may not necessarily be due to the water.
Are you using tap?

 

[wnlandfo]

No, I have never used tap water for my tank. Since my first tank setup years ago I have been using RO (the coral life unit). I changed my cartridges a while ago (sometime this past summer). It could probably be from the move BUT, when I moved in I had left the tank to cycle for 2 months and growth was nice and slow (no brown residue). When I did my first water change on Saturday an excess of brown debris settled on my sandbed by Sunday night. The TDS says 50 for the RO water which is really bad... So are you saying I won't have to buy a more expensive RO, like an RODI? Or should I get an RODI unit instead of sticking to my RO? I'll look into changing the membrane if that is all it'll take to have a better reading.

Be happy you don't live in NJ! I hear their water is even worse than ours here on LI!

Yes, you need to use ro or ro/di water here in your tank. You will probably need to change all of the filters in your unit and then check to see what the TDS is on the output line. If it is still high (above like 2) you will likely have to change the Membrane as well.

You mention that you just moved to LI - perhaps the brown residue on your sand is from the cycle of the tank (assuming it is going through a cycle?) It may not necessarily be due to the water.
Are you using tap?

 

[KathyC]

Ah ok
I would start with changing the filters along the bottom of the unit..not sure what you have there..but it should consist of a mix of sediment & a carbon filter.
50 is pretty steep so you may as well just purchase the membrane now too and change it after you take a reading once you change the other filters. It isn't like you won't need it down the line at some point
I don't think you'd need to purchase an entirely new unit, but you might want to consider adding on a refillable DI cartridge

A TDS reading of 50 can't do anything good for your tank, might want to address this before your next water change.

 

[wnlandfo]

I'm glad I don't have to buy a new unit. I'll start with changing the cartridges (even though I changed them 4 months ago? Better safe than sorry) and also the membrane. Doing that right... now.... THANK YOU!!!

Ah ok
I would start with changing the filters along the bottom of the unit..not sure what you have there..but it should consist of a mix of sediment & a carbon filter.
50 is pretty steep so you may as well just purchase the membrane now too and change it after you take a reading once you change the other filters. It isn't like you won't need it down the line at some point
I don't think you'd need to purchase an entirely new unit, but you might want to consider adding on a refillable DI cartridge

A TDS reading of 50 can't do anything good for your tank, might want to address this before your next water change.

 

[KathyC]

You're welcome Let us know what TDS you get afterwards!

 

[Imbarrie]

I'm in Long Island and have no problems with my RODI. 0 TDS all the time.
You the the only person I hear running a RO without the DI.

 

[LatinP]

My tap water in Staten Island is some of the cleanest I've ever seen. I used to live in PA and remember my well water days. That said I still run a 5 stage RO/DI and my sediment filter is disguising after a week of replacing my filters! I wouldn't dream of not running water through a DI chamber, think of all the money you've spent on corals is it really worth the gamble?