Advise Needed.

[perk73]

I have a 150 gallon FOWLR I set back up after moving up to Ohio from Florida. It has been up and running for 5 months now. Problem is losing fish for no foreseen problem with my parameters, but other fish doing fine. I have a Melenarus that's been in there for for prolly 3 months and a porcupine puffer I've for a month now and both of them seem to be doing awesome. I had a dogface in there about 2 months after cycling and he did great then got "cloudy eye" I treated the tank with Metaflix, he did fine for a couple more weeks and then passed after seeming to get it again. I have now had a 3rd Naso Tang (yes no more until I figure this out) pass. They do fine for a couple days...eat....swim around etc, then go downhill real fast and pass. Through all of this the Melenarus and Porcupine seem to be doing fine, but they were both put in the tank at different times.

My house here in Ohio, I am on well water where I have a water softener and I put in an Iron filter last fall due to Iron stains. I use the RO Buddy system for top off water.

What I've realized here compared to the city water I was on in Navarre is, how quick I'm going through replacement membranes. I only get maybe 15 gallons (3 weeks of evap) before the TDS starts showing back up.......still not high, but it's not 0.

My thought is, although my well has been tested negative for bacteria that effects humans maybe some other bacteria is still getting through my home filters and the RO system. The fish acting up in the tank seems to happen around the same time my filter membrane starts going and is due for a replacement.

I've since ordered three replacement filters to get me through while I research the best RO/DI system with the longest filter lifespan.

Thoughts?

Ref pic of the most recent Naso that I lost.

[Vinny Kreyling]

A talk with Buckeye Hydro is where I would start.
I believe they are actually in Ohio. Well water is usually high in CO2 and has to be de-gassed before sent through the RO. Membranes should last minimum of a year.
Talk with someone in the field!

[billdogg]

A HUGE +1 to Russ and friends at www.Buckeyehydro.com

They are in the Cincinnati area. The very best customer service around, good prices and a great product.

When I was shopping for mine, I picked out what I thought I needed but still had some questions so I emailed BH on a saturday morning expecting a response sometime the next week. Russ called me about 10:30 the same day and spent nearly 45 minutes on the phone with me. I ended up with a customized unit at less than half the price I thought I'd be paying. It arrived Tuesday the next week.

I don't look anywhere else for my rodi needs.