Seachem Prime

[Breslev42]

Hi.

My water pressure is too low to install a reverse osmosis unit (20 psi, booster pumps were not helping)

Is using seachem prime enough to substitute a ro unit?

Can anyone suggest something else?

[dkeller_nc]

No, not really. Seachem Prime and other products like it simply break apart chloramine into chlorine and ammonia, and oxidize both to chlorides and nitrate. Some of these formulations include chelants that bind with certain metals in water, but you're still adding them to your tank.

If you're in the US, 20 psig tap pressure is extraordinarily (and unacceptably) low. That would be the first thing to get fixed.

If that's not possible, there's no reason why a properly designed and installed RODI booster pump shouldn't take care of your issue.

[Breslev42]

Ive tried 2 booster pumps. I even connected the ro unit directly to the main water line. Since i dont own the house i cant do anything about it.

Does that mean, no fish tank for me?!

[bertoni]

Some people are successful with tap water. You could give it a try. What happened with the booster pumps?


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[Breslev42]

The booster pumps need a minimum of 30 psi to operate.

I had the one from bulk reef supply, the website said it needed a minimum of 20 psi.

when I called them they said that in reality it needs 30 psi.

awesome customer service though!!!

[bertoni]

Oh, sigh, I've never needed a booster pump. If you get desperate for a cleaner water source, you might be able to use DI only at a reasonable if you are willing to buy in bulk and pack your own filters. I'm not sure that it'd work very well for a large tank and a high TDS water supply, though.

[Breslev42]

Thanks. I guess ill just have to give it a shot.

[Breslev42]

from what i'm reading, seachem prime does not remove metals. it bonds with it (whatever that means).

Does it make sense to use "Kordon Rid-Metals Water Conditioner" on top of prime?

it claims to remove metals.

[bertoni]

Nothing can "remove" metals unless it has some sort of waste output, like a RO/DI filter, or allows you to remove or discard a precipitate (like limewater), or something similar. Both products bind metals, probably via chelation (attachment to an organic compound). I don't know what metals the products claim to bind, but I can take a look.

[trembz]

I've used tap water for 5+ years with no issue, but in Montreal we have pretty good tap water quality

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[Breslev42]

Thanks.
I live in New York City - Brooklyn
Dont know what the water quality is here

[Breslev42]

[QUOTE=trembz;24502446]I've used tap water for 5+ years with no issue, but in Montreal we have pretty good tap water quality

Is it a fish only tank?

[trembz]

[QUOTE=trembz;24502446]I've used tap water for 5+ years with no issue, but in Montreal we have pretty good tap water quality

Is it a fish only tank?
Both... a 180 gallon FOWLR..
90 Gallon with soft corals
2.5 pico tank loaded with soft corals

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[amadesu]

I rely on filtered water from the grocery store. It undergoes reverse osmosis, uv treatment, and several passes through carbon filters. $0.25 per gallon.

[Breslev42]

Thats reasuring. I hope i wont have any issues.
Thanks

[bertoni]

The Kordon product might bind metals more tightly and permanently. They don't give enough details to judge. I'm not sure I'd worry enough to use it, but there's no reason not to give it a try.

[Breslev42]

The Kordon product might bind metals more tightly and permanently. They don't give enough details to judge. I'm not sure I'd worry enough to use it, but there's no reason not to give it a try.

Thanks.

[Breslev42]

I rely on filtered water from the grocery store. It undergoes reverse osmosis, uv treatment, and several passes through carbon filters. $0.25 per gallon.


I cant see myself schlepping 200 gallons of water which would require 10 grocery trips. and ill have to do that each time for the auto top off and water changes.

Does a UV sterilizer kill metals?

[bertoni]

The UV sterilizer probably won't affect metals at all.

[trembz]

Won't affect metals but will keep possible algae blooms from tap water in check

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[Breslev42]

I will start without it. if i see things are getting crazy ill probably go for it

[dkeller_nc]

By the way, typically a house has a "pressure reducer". This device lowers incoming water pressure from the main water supply so that faucets and solenoid valves (such as in a washing machine) don't leak. There's an adjustment bolt on these that will allow you to raise the water pressure.

[Breslev42]

Its a common problem in certain areas of Brooklyn that have low water pressure.