Marine Advice: Marine Aquarium Water Preparation

Its a good idea to use reverse osmosis (R/O) water?
In my opinion using an R/O unit to condition tap water is essential. The usual contaminants in drinking water are nitrates up to 50 mg per litre, chlorine up to 0.4 mg per litre, phosphates up to 0.1 mg per litre and silicates up to 50 mg per litre. These are only a few of the contaminants found in tap water.
What is deemed fit for human consumption can be potentially deadly for some fish and most invertebrates. R/O units strip all these contaminants from drinking water. Remember essential minerals are also removed and must be replaced, many powdered forms of R/O water correction are available see our treatments cures and additives section.
How much salt do I need to use?
It is always advisable to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.
A marine or reef aquarium requires a specific gravity of 1.023 to 1.025. Specific Gravity can be measured using a hydrometer but do not forget specific gravity has a direct relationship with temperature, therefore it is important to heat salt water mixes to the same temperature as your aquarium before testing the SG.
It is always a good idea to mix salt water for water changes a couple of days before maintenance is carried out.
How often should I perform water changes?
On a fish only system twenty percent per month is advisable. A reef aquarium needs more stable water chemistry therefore the recommendation is only 10 percent per month or 2.5 percent per week is better.

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