do plants need special water?

[onyxlady]

I've been keeping a planted tank for a while now, but I'm curious if my plants actually need special water. I use tap water with a conditioner, but some folks say RO or distilled is better. What's the deal?

[fuzzybrook]

Tap water's usually fine if you dechlorinate it. RO's overkill unless your tap's super hard or has crazy high nitrates. My Java Fern's been thriving in tap for years.

[dreamy]

It depends on the plants. Some, like Cryptocoryne, are picky about hardness. If you're dosing ferts, tap's minerals can actually help. RO's only needed for super sensitive stuff like some Caridina shrimp tanks.

[KookyBuck]

RO's a hassle unless you're chasing perfection. My tap's at 300 TDS, and my Anubias don't care. Save the cash for more plants instead.

[anglerkid]

Tap water's usually fine if you dechlorinate it. RO's overkill unless your tap's super hard or has crazy high nitrates. My Java Fern's been thriving in tap for years.

Agreed. I test my tap params weekly, and as long as KH/GH are stable, plants adapt. No need to overcomplicate it.

[fastfire]

Some stem plants melt if you switch water types too fast. If you go RO, remineralize slowly. My Rotala hated sudden changes.

[piped]

I use half tap, half RO to balance hardness. Works for my Bacopa and Moss. Just gotta watch the pH swing.

[microvolt]

RO's only worth it if you're into rare Bucephalandra or something. Most common plants are chill with tap.

[harvester]

It depends on the plants. Some, like Cryptocoryne, are picky about hardness. If you're dosing ferts, tap's minerals can actually help. RO's only needed for super sensitive stuff like some Caridina shrimp tanks.

Yep, my Crypts thrive in tap with Seachem Equilibrium. RO's overkill unless you're breeding crystal reds.

[Finnleya]

Tap's fine, but if you're battling algae, RO can help reset things. Just remineralize with something like Salty Shrimp GH+.