Reverse Osmosis Water - Plastics and Tadpoles

[mack]

O posted this question on another forum and got no replies, so I'll try again. some friends who are marine biologists were talking a while back about plastics affecting mutation in fish. i didn't have a misting system then, so didn't ask many questions. later i read that RO water is aggressive and leeches things out of plastic as well as metal...so I'm wondering what...anybody know much about plastics and water chemistry ? I did find a site which addressed it , but only to report the tds readings in regular vs. food quality plastic vs. glass. Anybody?

[stitch]

On the other board look for some posts from HansV from the netherlands. He or someone else had some good links about this topic. His conclusion was that RO water does leech from most plastics. So be careful what containers you buy. I always try to look for "food safe" containers.

[hkspowers]

I used to work for a fish breeding hatchery and they said the same thing. So all plastic was made from nalgeline. Sp? This plastic does not leech out anything, and is very tough. You should look into this.

James

[mack]

thanks to both of you. on the other board it just got as for as yeah, it leeches. i don't know the first thing about plastic, and don't know if it would be a simple harmless element like you would add to rebuild water anyway, or something harmful. i'll definitely 'google' nalgeline.

[RichFrye]

I use nothing but food "safe" white 16oz cups from Superior, for non obligates.
So far, so good.

Rich

[mack]

quick update...so far no good with finding info on nalgeline...lots for naugahyde, but....

[hkspowers]

sorry spelled wrong it's Nalgene.

[mack]

whoa ya'll, check out these links:

http://www.mercola.com/2003/apr/16/food_storage.htm

http://www.mercola.com/2004/apr/7/nalgene_water.htm

they overtly state that strong detergents were to blame with some of the problems, but seem to imply that natural breakdown over time is also problematic....i'm going to do some more checking into plastics and will keep folks updated.

[Venutus1]

On the other board look for some posts from HansV from the netherlands. He or someone else had some good links about this topic. His conclusion was that RO water does leech from most plastics. So be careful what containers you buy. I always try to look for "food safe" containers.

me too.

I also bet "aged" plastic leaches less than new plastic.

[Azurel]

You can also buy a product called RO right it replaces some of the minerals back into the water that are useful like Ca,mag etc which would make it less pure and in theory less likely to leach or pull out impurities.

http://www.kentmarine.com/products/kent-ro-right.htm

Although not sure as to it's usefulness with darts.

[Philsuma]

I'm seeing a post or two where people are using RO water for eggs and tadpoles.....why ?!?

Some people have this odd theory that tap, or other water has "bad" things in it and water must be as pure as possible to be good for tads / eggs.

Reverse osmosis water is bereft (severely lacking) in composition. It will literally seek to "suck" elements out of whatever is surrounding it to retain its "balance" - harming or possibly killing animals.

[boombotty]

I've been using RO water for years with no issues. Of course, I use RO Right in it along with Blackwater extract for tads. I fill up 5g jugs if it for free at the brewery next door for misting, and mix these 2 components with it for tads.

[Philsuma]

Without the RO Right and Blackwater, I would bet you would have lost a few tads or more.

A lot of people are initially hooked on trying to put the tadpoles in super, ultra, sparkling, luxurious water and they get the idea that RO or Distilled water must be good 'cause it's pure..... that's just not good for the animals.

[frogfreak]

Without the RO Right and Blackwater, I would bet you would have lost a few tads or more.

What makes you say that, Phil? I do the same and the purpose of the RO rite is to put the calcium and minerals back into the water before using it. It's virtually the same as tap water without all the crap in it. I lose very few tads.

[frogfreak]

Grrr, to late on the edit.

I read that all wrong. I would never put a tad in pure RO. I use RO and RO rite with Blackwater extract as well and have good results.

[Philsuma]

No worries Glenn.

I just think there is a scary amount of new(er) hobbyists that buy RO or Distilled water because it's so readily available and put tadpoles directly into it - pure RO or distilled water. They are looking for "pure" water...when that same pure water is going to be much worse than tap or "dirty" water.

[frogfreak]

I had a frogger tell me that he did that only ONCE. He put them in pure distilled and it ripped them apart.

[Philsuma]

It's been so long ago that it's hard to remember...but I'm pretty sure I tried RO or Distilled water for some leuc eggs and then Leuc tadpoles. It killed the eggs and the tadpoles look "kinked" with regards to their tail and then body. I'm pretty sure the pure water did not allow for optimal calcium intake and the tadpoles skeletal structure suffered.

I've heard at least 5 different larger scale breeders extol the virtues of "hard" water - lotsa minerals. A couple guys used well water instead of tap. I would def try to test the well water for a whole host of things before using it, but the point about being chock full of minerals and other elements was not lost on me.

[GrandmasterTree]

I have only used RO water to raise tads with no issues, tads not eggs.

Frogs that I have breed:
Vittatus
Leucomelas
Azureus


Tony
Note: I am still new at this < 2 years exp

[Philsuma]

I, personally, would not use RO or distilled water on any eggs or tads.....no way.