Budget water making stations ideas

[DEE’S reef]

So I want to start making water but I want to do it on a budget kinda of cheaply so what items should I get for a water making station.

 

[Rob A]

Cheap 30 gal trash can, a pump to circulate the water and an amazon RO/DI unit

 

[DEE’S reef]

They have a 3 stage ro system it the aquatic life ro buddie 3 stage 75 gpd for 69.99 same price as the 4 stage 50 gpd one do you think that’s good a 3 stage or should I look for 4 stage.

 

[ScottJ]

They have a 3 stage ro system it the aquatic life ro buddie 3 stage 75 gpd for 69.99 same price as the 4 stage 50 gpd one do you think that’s good a 3 stage or should I look for 4 stage.

You really should get an RODI (4 stages). That DI stage is important. The Aquatic Life RODI Buddie doesn't get a lot of love here, but I have used one for years without problems. I did add a booster pump a while back. It's a lot faster. I maybe make 15 to 20 gallons a week. I change the sediment and charcoal filters every 6 months, refill the DI, and membrane when it needs it. It lasts a few years, I think i'm on my second one.

Only problem is it won't remove Chloramines from municipal water. You can check your water supplier to see if they use them.

 

[Rob A]

They have a 3 stage ro system it the aquatic life ro buddie 3 stage 75 gpd for 69.99 same price as the 4 stage 50 gpd one do you think that’s good a 3 stage or should I look for 4 stage.

I used the 4 stage 50 gpd for a couple of years for my 180 it was fine. You can replace the cartridges cheap too. I could fill a 30 gal trash can in about 8-10 hours using city water pressure.

Aquatic Life RO Buddie 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis Deionization Water Filter System RO/DI Filtration Units for Aquarium, 50 GPD​

 

[mpatterson42]

Here's a good budget mixing tank guide.



I like this one as well as the RODI storage is gravity fed into the saltwater storage. One issue with RODI and Salt side by side with a pump is you can end up with a little bit of salt in your RODI water. Not too bad for something like an ATO but if you use RODI to calibrate things you want to make sure it's 100% RODI with 0 TDS.

 

[DEE’S reef]

Thanks for the help I might start with the 50 gallon ro buddie for my system I thing that should be enough for my 80 gallon tank.

 

[DEE’S reef]

So I have an idea of having the ro container be on the top on a little shelf that then feeds ro into the salt bucket but i want to be able to get buckets of ro. So is there a way to make the pvc swivel back and forth or should I half a separate valve for the buckets of ro.

 

[DEE’S reef]

Also since my mixing station when ever I get the stuff and make it would be on a different floor than my tank so is the easiest way is just to carry buckets up the stairs.

 

[mpatterson42]

So I have an idea of having the ro container be on the top on a little shelf that then feeds ro into the salt bucket but i want to be able to get buckets of ro. So is there a way to make the pvc swivel back and forth or should I half a separate valve for the buckets of ro.

Watch this video, he does exactly what you describe.

 

[Rob A]

Also since my mixing station when ever I get the stuff and make it would be on a different floor than my tank so is the easiest way is just to carry buckets up the stairs.

I remember years ago talking with the guys at the Tropicorium and we all agreed the number one reason people fail/give up reefing is having to use 5 gal buckets to move water around. You may want to think about a way to pump the water up to where you will use it.

Also I see your location is Warren. Warren Mi is where I'm located and we have very good water to start with and the RO buddy's Membrane and the DI cartridge lasted 2 years running a 180gal they might have gone longer but I just stopped using it. I have switched to just tap run through a sediment/carbon filter from menards without issues for years.

https://www.cityofwarren.org/wp-con...Water-Quality-Report-2022_Website_Posting.pdf

 

[Kooma]

Put your money into a quality universal RODI unit. The initial investment pays huge on the long run. I use a spectrapure 90gpd 4 stage, it’s very cheap to run and works very well. Find a used one even, filters are a few dollars and aren’t proprietary designs.

A brute trash can works great, I use one. Buy it new from Home Depot and rinse before using.

That’s it, hook it up to a water line and setup the unit and can somewhere out of the way and in a heated area of the home (mechanical room is good). Add a float to turn it off in the tub and an auto-shutoff kit plus a flushing valve.

If this is out of the budget, honestly consider waiting for the purchase and buy water in jugs for now from a local water store. Buying a cheap one now then buying a proper one later is more expensive than just waiting and doing it right. This hobby isn’t cheap, be sure to buy quality

 

[DEE’S reef]

I remember years ago talking with the guys at the Tropicorium and we all agreed the number one reason people fail/give up reefing is having to use 5 gal buckets to move water around. You may want to think about a way to pump the water up to where you will use it.

Also I see your location is Warren. Warren Mi is where I'm located and we have very good water to start with and the RO buddy's Membrane and the DI cartridge lasted 2 years running a 180gal they might have gone longer but I just stopped using it. I have switched to just tap run through a sediment/carbon filter from menards without issues for years.

https://www.cityofwarren.org/wp-con...Water-Quality-Report-2022_Website_Posting.pdf

Thanks did you need a booster for the water pressure. And where you fine with a 4 stage system.

 

[DEE’S reef]

https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/5...try-level-sea-rodi-100-saltwateraquarium-com/ So this is what I’m thinking about getting for my Rodi system. It looks good for its price or should I try to find a unit on facebook marketplace and just replace the filters.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Here's my two cents about saving money making water....

1. I'd suggest a "full sized" RO/DI unit. The RO Buddy works but requires you to buy their replacement filters....which are small and therefore require sooner replacement. With full sized filters you can shop for the best bang for the buck on filter changes....also for a high rejection membrane....you ideally want at least 98% rejection.

2. Install a three way valve between your RO unit and your DI canister. The reason is that on start up you get breakthrough TDS from the RO unit that otherwise would be removed by your DI causing it to deplete much sooner. What you do on start up is flip the valve to run the water to waste for about five minutes and then flip the valve to run through you DI canister. My breakthrough TDS spikes to 50 to 60, but after about five minutes it's down to 2.

I get about a year out of my DI resin this way.

 

[Rob A]

https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/5...try-level-sea-rodi-100-saltwateraquarium-com/ So this is what I’m thinking about getting for my Rodi system. It looks good for its price or should I try to find a unit on facebook marketplace and just replace the filters.

That is the same as the RO buddy.

 

[Rob A]

Thanks did you need a booster for the water pressure. And where you fine with a 4 stage system.

I didn't have a booster it was fine w/o it is a 4 stage. Remember your not making a100gal every single day maybe 50 gals a week you can run it for a few hours to make top off water and run it all day for a water change. You could also put the RO outline upstairs with a valve they are only 1/4 inch that way you don't have to carry anything. I did that with mine.

 

[exnisstech]

I started with RO buddy system but would not do it again. It wasn't that much more expensive to use a traditional system with 10" canisters. I like being able to choose different micron sediment filters and carbon blocks. TBH I don't see much between premiums systems or less expensive ones. A few canisters, bracket and some to tubing is all there is to them. I do run a booster pump because of low pressure. I run a smart Buddy booster that takes care of flushing the membrane before each use and removes the need for auto shut off valve that have a tendency to fail often. My system is just two brutes with float valves. I have a tee before the di resin that supplies RO for drinking and making ice. I just roll my brutes over to the bottom of the stairs and use a pond pump and an old python hose to get water upstairs for changes and refiling ATO containers. I have a $10 remote controlled outlet let so I can turn the pond pump in an iff as needed from upstairs.
Nothing fancy, it just works

 

[mfinn]

A rodi, a rubbermaid trash can , a heater and a powerhead.
I would get a rodi that has clear 10" canisters.
Maybe a pump with a hose attached to move water from the mixing barrels to buckets.
Doesn't have to be bought all on 1 paycheck.
Plan out ahead and get decent stuff.

 

[427HISS]

Will it be hidden or open to viewing ?