Shell,
Zebras will breed in most water. Like Tom said, good water and good food goes a long way to success. The cave size as mention is also important. My first few spawns occurred without using RO water but my city water is moderately hard, 300-400ppm. I think you will be able to breed them without a RO unit. The problem will be getting enough females. Once you getting them to spawn then you may think about getting a RO unit. In the mean time I don't think it is necessary, unless your water is extremely hard.
My RO unit is attached to the main water from the faucet head. there are adapters you can buy at the hardware/plumbing stores for this. When I need RO water I plugged it up and when I don't I disconnect it. I have a 30 gallon container with a float switch that I fill with RO weekly. The float switch is very important to shut off the unit when the container is full.
Hope this helps.
Here are some baby pics.
Success rate with out RO water?
Tom,
instead of trying to describe it, here is a picture of the adapter. The red tubing is the input to the RO unit. This allows me to connect the RO unit to the faucet/spigot in the bathroom or restroom sink. The brand of RO unit is probably not important but here is a picture of the RO unit under the sink.
The company is in the USA and is the one barbie had recommended. Here is their site http://www.filterdirect-water.com/index.html
Ken
instead of trying to describe it, here is a picture of the adapter. The red tubing is the input to the RO unit. This allows me to connect the RO unit to the faucet/spigot in the bathroom or restroom sink. The brand of RO unit is probably not important but here is a picture of the RO unit under the sink.
The company is in the USA and is the one barbie had recommended. Here is their site http://www.filterdirect-water.com/index.html
Ken
Hi Ken
Many thanks for the picture. Sadly it looks like the adaptor is a screw fitting which I assume screws onto the tap? If this is the case I do not have taps that would allow this. If this is not correct please correct me.
Shell,
Your GH of 160 indicates hard water. The KH of 90 indicates the buffering of your water. The lower the KH the more chance of pH crashing. Ideal soft water would be 6-8GH with a KH of around 5.
To be honest though, I would forget all about the soft/hardness of your water as zebs will breed in most conditions. You really must know what you are doing when altering your normal water conditions or disaster can and often does follow.
Regards
Many thanks for the picture. Sadly it looks like the adaptor is a screw fitting which I assume screws onto the tap? If this is the case I do not have taps that would allow this. If this is not correct please correct me.
Shell,
Your GH of 160 indicates hard water. The KH of 90 indicates the buffering of your water. The lower the KH the more chance of pH crashing. Ideal soft water would be 6-8GH with a KH of around 5.
To be honest though, I would forget all about the soft/hardness of your water as zebs will breed in most conditions. You really must know what you are doing when altering your normal water conditions or disaster can and often does follow.
Regards