Dave is right on the money, it is harder to grow plants in soft water
than in hard. RO is really only necessary when the tap water contains
high levels of nitrates, phosphates or if keeping soft water fish.

Lobos

Dave Millman wrote in message ...
Ben,

Some clarifications on RO:

1. It is an enduring myth that RO water is required to grow aquatic plants. In
fact, it makes growing plants more difficult. RO removes many of the nutrients
that aquatic plants require. In general, folks with hard water have an easier
time growing aquatic plants than folks with soft water.

2. Brewing a gallon of RO water creates 3-10 gallons of waste water, depending
on the system. Whether this goes down the drain, or into your garden is up to
you.

3. I have no idea what you are talking about when you say the system must run
24-7.

Summary: Don't get RO water for aquatic plants, unless you have a good reason
OTHER THAN THE PLANTS to do so!

In my case, I choose to have a sof****er tank for sof****er fish. This makes it
more difficult to grow aquatic plants, as described above.