Water Change Vs Reverse Osmosis, Water Change vs Reverse Osmosis Options

[ameister]

Let me post a theoretical question...

I understand the need to do regular water changes to remove some nitrates and growth inhibitors. What if we hook up a reverse osmosis system to the aquarium and cycling 20-30% of water through the reverse osmosis system on a weekly or twice a week. Any topping up could also go through the RO system.

If I am not mistaken, RO forces molecules via membrane as it purify the water. It can remove most bacteria, heavy metals and even sodium in some setups. A nitrate molecule is bigger than a sodium molecule, so nitrates will be removed. We can use plants to remove nitrates anyways. As for the growth inhibitor, it should be a large organic molecule and so easily removed by the RO system.

I have recently moved to a flat/apartment and if I were to setup an aquarium big enough for my liking, I dread the water change process that I will be getting myself into.

To all you Goldfish Gurus out there, I your advice, comments and suggestions.

[desireless]

In SG context, you can roughly estimate your electrical/water bills by using Dennis' Electricity and Water Billing Calculator here.

Maybe you can use the calculator to compare the cost of advocating water change and using RO

I think the idea of RO is really cool, if not for the cost involved. Just not economical.