The Effects of Well Water Softening

[Trumpet12]

For a few months, my anemone has not been looking that great, and things have appeared to close up when a water change was performed. I found this confusing, because the equipment and conditions (that I have tested) should be fine for everything there. However, something bad in the water could cause that, I suppose. My water comes from a well, and there is a water softener that it comes through before coming into the house. I use "Diamond Crystal Pellets with Softener Care Formula" in the water softener. I tried to call the company and get more information, but they are not open on the weekend. The company's website is not very descriptive, so I do not know if the salt contains an anti-caking agent. What problems could a well water softener cause? I'm planning on getting an RO/DI unit ASAP, but what else should I do? Should I do turn off the softener and do a water change with that water or just wait for the RO/DI? That water will have been pumped through limestone shortly before use, but some of this sort of water was used when the tank was initially filled.


Thanks, Tyler

[masterswimmer]

I would not use water after it's been run through a water softener. I would plumb an RO/DI before your softener.

Since you don't have this availability, I'd go to your local LFS and buy RO/DI water until you get your own system. The RO/DI system should argueably be the first piece of equipment bought for a reef system.

Russ

[Trumpet12]

I have read conflicting opinions about the necessity of an RO/DI systems, so up until now I haven't really felt sure that I needed one.

My LFS doesn't have an RO/DI system, but they do sell water that has only been run through a DI membrane. I have inadvertently been using the softened water for months. Should I really go and buy DI water now, considering that I will have RO/DI water by the middle of next week? I can if I need to.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I would not use tap or well water (softened or not) out of concern for many possible impurities in it, including copper that may come from the well, or your own pipes. DI purification of tap water is OK, it just ends up costing a lot in the long run (compared to RO/DI).

Of course, RO/DI is not necessary in every case. But it is clearly necessary in many cases. Unless you have the time and money to test the tap water for many impurities at low levels (like copper), then I'd suggest getting a purification system.

This article may help:

Tap Water in Reef Aquaria
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2004/chem.htm

While waiting for an RO/DI, I'd use the store DI water. The impurities may be hard to remove once in the tank.