My clownfish kept dying until I stopped using RO water from the grocery store

Six months ago I lost three clownfish in a row over about four months. Each one would look fine for a few weeks then just go downhill. I was doing everything by the book, checking ammonia, nitrites, keeping temp stable. Finally took a water sample to my local fish store and the guy asked where I got my RO water. I told him the machine at Kroger. He said those store machines don't get maintained well and the TDS can creep up. I bought a small RO/DI unit for $150 and my tank has been stable ever since. Last batch of water tested at zero TDS. Has anyone else had trouble with those store machines?

2 comments

2 Comments

wesleyburns19d ago

Three clownfish in four months is brutal, sorry you went through that. Glad the RO/DI unit sorted it out, those store machines are a total gamble.

iris_mason8818d ago

The store machines are fine if you test the water before buying, but yeah having your own RO/DI unit takes all the guesswork out of it. Different strokes for different folks I guess.