Any opinions on UV sanitizers and Canister filters in vivarium???

cruziohyla craspedopus · #1 (**permalink**) 04-16-2008, 12:12 AM

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Any opinions on UV sanitizers and Canister filters in vivarium???

Quote:

I am building my first vivarium and trying to create system that gives future tree frogs the purist water I can without changing it so frequently. I'd appreciate all feedback.

Thanks

Zooligist 4ever · #2 (**permalink**) 04-16-2008, 11:21 AM

Have you tried obtaining an RO unit? If not, I would definitely try and get the best one possible.

Waterkeeper · #3 (**permalink**) 04-16-2008, 03:40 PM

I agree, a 3 stage RO is topps! you'll enjoy it for yourself as well.

The most pure water you are going to get is Reverse Osmosis DeIonized.. I use this for my fish. I'm not sure if deionized water will cause problems for plants and frogs. I know fresh water fish won't live in it... anybody know about that one??

as far as keeping it super clean inside the tank, filter it with lots of carbon and a great little product called Chemi-Clean... great stuff.

cruziohyla craspedopus · #4 (**permalink**) 04-16-2008, 10:24 PM

Thanks for the feedback. I have an RO unit at my kitchen sink. We are on a well. Do you mean I should have an RO somehow attached to my vivariums water system - or just att water filter from my RO??
Thanks again for advice.

cruziohyla craspedopus · #5 (**permalink**) 04-16-2008, 10:29 PM

That was supposed to say "or just add water filtered from my RO unit?" And thanks for tip on Chemi-clean.

Waterkeeper · #6 (**permalink**) 04-17-2008, 10:02 AM

just for your supply water. here is the thing... RO water is really clean and stripped of just about everything. Your TDS(total dissolved solids) from a well is probably near 400ppm + (parts per million). add the RO you are close to maybe 50ppm. add a DeIonizer and you are around 1-10ppm.

now...

that is super clean water for your frog... but if you have live plants it's giving them nothing. I use the waste water from my RO for my plants around the house because it is so high in TDS.

dracotaz · #7 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 01:49 PM

I have only worried about RO for my Misting system. Having the purest water shouldnt really be a big concern for your internal water system... being so stripped of solids, the first thing it does is begin to strip minerals from your plants and other goodies in there. If you only have a frog and mostly sterile things in there, it could pull nutrients from your frog too. But dont worry, Im sure your viv has some kind of substrate for ph and bacteria balances to occur. I dont have an RO filter, I used to buy it for 20 cents a gal at the local aquarium supply store, but standard flitered water has been just fine for my froggies for years.