RO water

[happy]

its been a while since i been on here. Ive been extremely busy.
I hopped on today and the top post was about misting nozzles and using RO water. I suspect most members here are into a very large assortment of hobbies... so my question is about RO water and the micro/macro nutrients it supplies. I have read that when growing hydroponic plants, the plants can and do suffer from deficiencies from missing nutrients from RO water.
i have seen a few other members discussing this, but not at great length.. just sorta skimming over the topic.

Has any one that has used both regular and RO long term, noticed a difference in chameleon health over the long term?

Have you noticed a difference in offspring health and viability for first generation and on?

Have you noticed any differences in Hardiness, Color enhancement, size, temperament, or longevity?

 

[CarlC]

There are no nutrients or vitamins provided by water naturally so that shouldn't be a issue. With a proper gut load for your insects you are providing everything needed.

Carl

 

[Rango3d]

That not entirely true. Their is key minerals that are found in water. Ro systems remove just about everything. Calcium, magnesium, potassium are just some that naturally occurs by region.
The human body processes those differently then by supplementing and diet.

I've read science articles that state drinking the harder water helps boost the immune system better then anything else you do.

However I don't think theirs a right answer to this. Do the research yourself and do what you believe is right.

 

[CarlC]

Is this water that has traveled across a large body of water like the Mozambique Channel?

Either way how can you possibly know what supplimenting you need to do without knowing what is or isn't in your water. By starting with pure water you are in control.

Carl

 

[Rango3d]

Is this water that has traveled across a large body of water like the Mozambique Channel?

Either way how can you possibly know what supplimenting you need to do without knowing what is or isn't in your water. By starting with pure water you are in control.

Carl

In my town the water district sends out reports, like every 6 months, showing what's in the water. What it has and doesn't have and at what percentage.
Does your city and town not do this for you????

 

[CarlC]

Yes they do but since water supplied by a system of pipes allows for leaching of toxic components from the pipes the only truely accurate test would be right from the tap.

Carl

 

[happy]

I don't mean to suggest that supplementation via a water source is viable. that is crazy talk. what i'm really asking, does tap water have any value to chameleons, the enclosures they are kept in, their food source....

aside from the obvious benefit of using RO water(not having water spots, not having the clean or change nozzles as frequently), what other benefit's does ro water provide?

BTW, i asked the question, without thinking to look at the analysis of most reptile multi-vitamins. i still stand behind my questions though.

thank you guys for taking the time to answer.

 

[Rango3d]

Carl and I might see things differently about RO water but it doesn't mean 1 of us is wrong. We both try to educate ourselves and make the best design to our belief and provide the best care for our chameleons.

I believe you'll got dozens of response says different things and could be more confused about your questions. Read and educate yourself. It's your choice if you wanna use RO water as theirs nothing wrong in doing so.

 

[happy]

That not entirely true. Their is key minerals that are found in water. Ro systems remove just about everything. Calcium, magnesium, potassium are just some that naturally occurs by region.
The human body processes those differently then by supplementing and diet.
.

essentially, this is what i was getting at..... any one been doing chams for 20+ years, and 10 years in, switched to RO water, to notice a huge change? what kind of change?

 

[CarlC]

I dont worry so much about the major trace elements it is the stuff like chlorine, pesticide run off, silicates, arsenic, chromium, barium, copper, and lead to name a few. If Im not comfortable drinking the water myself Im surely not going to give it my animals.

As with anything its your decision. Educate yourself so you know.

Carl

 

[Carlton]

essentially, this is what i was getting at..... any one been doing chams for 20+ years, and 10 years in, switched to RO water, to notice a huge change? what kind of change?

One problem trying to get such specific information about RO vs tap use is that there may not be very many years of RO use available for any one keeper's animals. Many of us haven't switched to RO until recently now that there are less expensive options on the market.

Another big problem is that everyone's "tap water" is different. A lot of variables to try to evaluate. Every municipal water source will differ a bit depending on the water source, treatment protocol, delivery system, whether your house plumbing is filtered or softened, your pipe chemistry as mentioned, let alone those of us who have private wells as the source. And, the quality of the water itself may change from season to season.

All I can say is that I've used RO water for all my animals for about 15 years and really haven't noticed measurable differences in their health good or bad. I have super hard water high in iron, need various filters and softening to save my plumbing, and I also keep iron-sensitive birds, so would have filtered the water for them regardless (even though some believe that the iron available in water is not as available for uptake as that in food).

 

[junglefries]

RO water or any type of filtered water is better than just tap water. For one reason, if not for more: better to be proactive than reactive. Any, if not all, who prehouse reptiles, before going retail use a type of filtered water. It is preventative. Would you risk your health or your childs? I have learned to trust Carl and Carlton very much so. Especially, Carl with the water issues. He has been on point on several water threads before.

 

[Benjlan]

In my mind RO water would be better, chams get they're water from rain and dew. No trace elements in rain or dew. This would lead me to believe that they accumulate what they need from prey items or vegetation depending on what species of cham. I welcome discussion on my opinion.

Ben

 

[happy]

I had just started doing some indoor gardening, and it never struck me to think about it from the same perspective until i noticed some copper deficiencies.

Carlton, I completely agree that every tap is going to have different water. I would even think that from tap to tap inside a dwelling would have different amounts of total dissolved solids caused by things like sitting in a copper pipe longer. I live in something of a farming community and as such, i think the water after spring planting would probably contain quite a bit of fertilizers.

CarlC, I agree that there are just way too many variables to account for with tap water. nastiness such as arsenic, chlorine, and pesticides, are definitely cause for concern. As you suggested, if you wouldn't drink it, why give it to your animals.

Junglefries, to an extent, i agree. But i submit this: filtering water may not remove stuff like boron or fecal coliform based on things such as filter media or system bypasses.

Benjlan. I live in an area that relies heavily on coal for electrical generation. My uncle is an engineer at a coal fired power plant. I do agree that generally speaking, rain water would be, in most cases better than tap water. But take places like Pittsburgh, Detroit, New York City and compare the rain water to places like Crater Lake Oregon, or any "non-industrialized" locale, and rain water may not be the best option.

Some very excellent points of view, Outstanding Information Gentleman.
Thank you for your time to answer questions.

 

[Solargreenjake]

Great question!!!

Now I have been reading and reading the responses to this question and my brain can't stop from exploding with info. Both sides I believe to correct. However, if you are someone like me that had well water, this is a very VERY good question to ask. In Maryland I lived in the area that had the highest level of radioactivity in the water. The water had iron and all kinds of hard metals. This water was dangerous to drink. We had to have a huge special water treatment system just to make it safe to shower and cook with. I guess what I'm getting at is, depending on where you get your water source from, do what is right for you. If it is city water, it all depends on the levels of chemicals they use to make it drinkable. This is the reason why the make chemicals for fish tanks in order to make tap water safe. RO water would be safe, but it may not be necessary. I know a lot of petstores will test a sample of your water for you, that is if you don't already own a water test kit. I used my saltwater reef tank water testing kit.