Dead Snails = Problem?

[Oldfishlady]

Did you add the lost minerals back with the DI water..

[cdlourie]

Originally Posted by Oldfishlady

Did you add the lost minerals back with the DI water..

...no... I have eco-complete substrate for my plants, so I didn't think it was very necessary.

[Oldfishlady]

Why are you using DI water and not tap water?
If your fish are fine I wouldn't do 100% or tear down...how long has the tank been running and do you have water prams to post for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH of both the tank water and the DI water...are you buying the DI water or is this a home system for all the house or just one tap?

[cdlourie]

Originally Posted by Oldfishlady

Why are you using DI water and not tap water?
If your fish are fine I wouldn't do 100% or tear down...how long has the tank been running and do you have water prams to post for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH of both the tank water and the DI water...are you buying the DI water or is this a home system for all the house or just one tap?

Our house is at the end of the water line, so the Chlorine and calcium hardness is crazy high. My dad works a water treatment facility, and DI water sounded like it would be the best choice. I don't want to have to buy a case of water just to fill up my tank. (20 gallons worth of it....)
Water Prams:
(Tank water)
Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate 10ppm
pH-7.5 (Reading indicates between 7 and 8, leaning more towards 7)
(DI)
Ammonia - 0ppm
Nitrite - 0ppm
Nitrate - 0ppm
pH - 7

[Oldfishlady]

Deionised water system binds the Ions in the water and produces pure water that lacks the need minerals the fish needs especially inverts and buffering.

I would at least mix the DI water 50/50 with dechlorinated tap water or use an additive to replace the minerals like Equalibrium by SeaChem for long term health of both the fish and inverts....

[Lupin]

That's the reason why the snails died. Lack of minerals will encourage shell pitting and failing health among snails.