RO water vs Tap water + HCL.

[snowballs99]

If my tap water only has a kh of 3 and a gh of 2, I'd assume it's fairly pointless using an RO system?
Just removing the KH using HCL would be infinitely faster and the added CL leftover probably isn't enough to make an impact?

Reason for this is I am growing some Eriocaulons and they seem to severely stunt and do nothing unless my KH is near 0 and my PH is around 6.

 

[gnatster]

RO will remove other schmutz in your tap water. You may be able to obtain a report from your local water authority that will tell you what else is your tap water. It can be rather eye-opening.

RO Water is a blank slate, allowing us to have more control over parameters.

 

[BenB]

If my tap water only has a kh of 3 and a gh of 2, I'd assume it's fairly pointless using an RO system?
Just removing the KH using HCL would be infinitely faster and the added CL leftover probably isn't enough to make an impact?

Reason for this is I am growing some Eriocaulons and they seem to severely stunt and do nothing unless my KH is near 0 and my PH is around 6.

Burr on here uses HCl to lower his KH. You probably know him, but if not, his journal is HERE. Looks like he made a post about it HERE.

I know he grows 1-2 Erios (because I want one of them) He also or has in the past grown Blood Vomit which requires a low KH.

 

[SkaleyAquatics]

It depends on your goals, and what you want to grow. If it was me Id add a little gh into it and call it good and not mess with it otherwise.

Ope I just reread the post. yeah id consider lowering your water with Hcl.

 

[hamfist]

Burr on here uses HCl to lower his KH. You probably know him, but if not, his journal is HERE. Looks like he made a post about it HERE.

Really interesting. I'd not encountered anyone brave enough to do that before. It seems plants may not mind the extra chloride too much but delicate Caridina shrimp might. Just saying.

 

[Rob23]

I use HCl to lower my KH from 8 to 0.5. I've experienced no ill effects from the residual chloride. Just be aware of the safety protocols and make sure you know the concentration of the HCl acid solution you are using - not everything available is the same (see @gjcarew's experience here as a warning). If you'd like help with the calculations to verify the concentration of HCl solution and to determine the amount to add for the desired effect, let me know and I'll put together a write-up.