You might have seen many people using RO water in aquariums. So, it is natural to wonder: Is RO water good for your shrimp tank?
It is definitely good to have Reverse Osmosis (RO) water around for your shrimp tanks. You might not need it specifically. But it certainly has some extra benefits than tap water.
Now I did some research on using RO water in shrimp tanks. And I can tell you in detail why and how you should use RO water in your shrimp tank. So, to make sure you are using it right, you should read the whole article.
What Are The Benefits Of Using RO Water?
If you want to create an ideal water condition for your shrimps, RO water is a good starting point. Unlike tap water, RO water has no water hardness or toxic chemicals such as chlorine and chloramine. It gives you full control over how you want to craft your tank environment.
Benefits of using RO water in your shrimp tanks include:
- RO water lets you avoid the TDS creep
- It gives you full control over mixing your own ideal water hardness
Avoiding The TDS Creep
The TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) shows how many things have been dissolved in the water. The TDS rate goes up when water gets evaporated and leaves minerals behind. This makes the water harder. It can make your shrimps get stuck in their molts.
This problem can be avoided by using RO water. RO water dilutes the minerals and keeps the TDS at an ideal level.
Mixing Your Own Ideal Water Hardness
It is natural to want the perfect GH (general hardness) and KH (carbonate hardness) levels for your beloved shrimps. RO water gives you total control over this.
You can easily use remineralizer salts in RO water. And mix your ideal water solution for the shrimp tank. This can be very useful in an emergency, in case you need a quick water change.
How To Mix RO Water?
Now let me tell you how to perfectly mix RO water for your shrimp tank. To do this you will have to get some items first. Let’s take a look at them:
- TDS Pen
- GH and KH Liquid Test kit
- Shrimp Minerals
- Container
- Pen and paper
However, before you start there is something you need to remember. You should never add shrimp materials directly into the tank. You won’t be able to maintain the correct parameters in the tank. So, you better mix it in a separate container first. Then add it to the tank.
Let’s see the step-by-step process.
Step 1: Get RO Water
Start with collecting some RO water. Make sure that you are using a clean container. You can do that by rinsing the container with RO water first.
Step 2: Add Shrimp Minerals
Now it is time to measure and add the minerals to the RO water. Start with a small amount first. Always make sure that the added minerals are mixed in the water properly.
To be absolutely certain, you can just let the water rest for a few minutes. If there are no fallen bits, then you did a good job of mixing.
Step 3: Test GH/KH/TDS
After mixing the minerals, now it’s testing time. Grab your TDS pen and TH and GH test kit. Write down the results on a piece of paper.
The reason behind this is simple. This helps you to keep track of your ideal parameters.
Step 4: Add The Water To The Tank
This is the final step. Once the RO water has been mixed to your ideal parameters, slowly and carefully pour it into your shrimp tank. But first, remember to make sure that the water temperature matches the tank temperature.
How Often Do You Need To Change The Ro Water Of The Shrimp Tank?
On average, you should change 10% of the RO water every two weeks or so.
It is a good habit to follow a fixed schedule for water changes. Shrimps are generally quite sensitive creatures. So, it is important not to disturb them too often.
Moreover, frequent changes of water in the tank can cause stress and other health problems for your shrimps.
Where Can You Get RO Water For Your Shrimp Tank?
From Your Local Fish Store
The most common place to get RO water is your local fish store. You can buy a whole canister full of water or take your own container and fill it up. It might cost you $0.75-1.00 per gallon.
However, you might face some problems while buying RO water from your local fish store.
- Not every store maintains its equipment properly. So, their water might contain more TDS than it should.
One way to deal with this problem is to take your TDS pen with you. Remember to check the TDS level of the water before you buy in bulk.
- Buying RO water from the local fish store can also become quite expensive over time.
To tackle this problem, you might consider investing in your own RODI system.
Buy A RODI Filter System
At first, buying a RODI filter might seem like a big investment. But let me assure you, you’ll be thankful for it in the long run, especially if you have got a lot of shrimp tanks.
Over time, the RODI filter will prove to be a lot cheaper than running to your local fish store. Plus, you will be free from the hazard of carrying those gallons of water.
Besides, it is very easy to change the filters. So, you can always ensure the highest quality Ro water for your shrimp tanks.
In case, you are now wondering which RODI filter system to buy. Let me help you out. Here is a list of the names of the top five RODI systems available in the market:
- AquaFX Barracuda 100 GPD RO/DI System
- Aquatic Life RO Buddie Reverse Osmotic Systems
- Liqua 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis and Deionization RO/DI
- Koolermax AR-122 6-stage RO+DI Aquarium Reef RO System 80 to 120 GPD
- Geekpure 3-Stage Portable Aquarium – Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System- 100GPD
So, if you have the budget, I strongly recommend getting a RODI filter system. Because, after all, if you can, why not give your shrimps the best experience they can get?
Final Words
RO water might not be an absolute necessity for your shrimp tanks, but you got to admit, it does have a strong argument to support its use. It gives you a flexibility and control over shrimp tank water that normal tap water is unable to do.
