GSP tank water question

cmsl · Post by **cmsl** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 9:13 am

Hi all,

Ive been a fan of GSPs for a few years now and am planning on getting a 55 or 60 gallon later on this year. Initially the GSP will obviously be in FW, but my question is should that fw be made with RO water or just dechorinated / filtered water? I ask because i was once told that in the wild these fw juveniles dont have water as pure as RO and so they dont do as well in it. Any truth is that or is RO the way forward?

LittlePuff · Post by **LittlePuff** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 11:25 am

I wouldn't use the R/O until he's in full marine and you've added live rock etc..

Kim

Post by **RTR** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 12:08 pm

There is no reason or need for GSPs to be in very soft (low TDS) water. If you elect to use RO, you need to supplement that from the beginnig with a variety of mineral supplements.

cmsl · Post by **cmsl** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 1:07 pm

ok so initially when in fw just dechlorinated water would be fine - ive heard of people just using the initial filter stage membrane of their ro unit to get rid of any particles so i could do that i guess. What sort of supplements are available for the water if RO is used (i live in uk - dont know if that affects choice?)

Post by **RTR** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 8:11 pm

I don't know the UK market well enough to say. On this side of the pond, we have Kent's RO-Right and Seachem's Equilibrium, both very popular.

In the UK one of the biggest reasons for using RO in FW is the many areas with very high nitrate titers in the tap water. To me, that could justify the extra hassle and expense of RO.

If you tap is okay on nitrate, and at least moderately hard on GH and KH, simple disinfectant neutralization should be fine.

Post by **Pufferpunk** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 11:51 pm

I used regular tap water for my GSPs, even in marine.

Post by **RTR** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 1:21 am

So did I, but my tap is pretty decent for fish. Although they say they will allow up to ten ppm nitrate, I have not tested above 1-2 ppm in the tap water - but I only spot check for that at wide intervals.

Post by **Pufferpunk** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 1:27 am

I don't check often either--it's always been 0.

Rocker · Post by **Rocker** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 4:19 am

Both products RTR has specified are available over here with the 'Kent' product being the more readily available.

Raphael · Post by **Raphael** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 4:31 am

Cmsl, you might need to get a booster pump for your RO system. I know of a place where you can get a brand new 5 stage system with a booster pump for Â£109 (50 GPD).

cmsl · Post by **cmsl** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 10:25 am

cool thanks for all the info guys, i think i will initially just use tap water then although i do already have an RO unit which i can use in the future when they start getting quite salty.
Long term project though so i just thought id better check what they would be happy in!

(Raphael - shame i didnt know of that price a few weeks ago - sounds better value than the one i purchased but thanks anyway! )

Stuart

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GSP tank water question

GSP tank water question