Help Me Set Up RODI System for New 600g Reef

[Itchy Trigger]

In the (very slow) process of setting up a 96"x46"x30" reef. About ready to work on the RODI system. I picked up a few 55 gallon poly barrels and will be grabbing a few more for holding RODI and mixing saltwater for water changes. My plan is to have four barrels so 200 gallons total. Maximum-size water changes will likely be in the 100 gallon (two barrel) range, so I'd have two barrels of fresh RODI and two barrels of mixed saltwater on hand at any given time. First of all, how does that sound? I was pricing larger 200g reservoirs and they're just ridiculously expensive, so the multiple barrel route seemed logical.

I was thinking a 200 GPD RODI setup would be good, and I'd also add an AquaticLife Smart Buddie booster setup (180-200 GPD version). If anyone would like to recommend a specific RODI system, I'd be happy to check it out. I'd like to make the RODI as quickly as possible, and hopefully quietly (not sure how loud the booster pump on the Smart Buddie is). I'd certainly entertain the idea of a system that could make a much higher volume of RODI in a shorter amount of time too, but not sure how feasible that is without going up to commercial grade systems. Open to suggestions though!

And if I'm using four barrels, I was thinking it would be nice to link them all together so I can fill all four at once. Would 1" bulkheads be ok on round poly barrels (placed closer to the bottom)? Or should I go the uniseal route? And if I link all four barrels together with sufficient diameter pipe, I assume I'd only need a float valve on the barrel that the RODI flows into, correct?

I'm not in a rush to get this set up, and I want it to be as efficient and easy to use as possible. I have plenty more questions, but happy to start with these! Thanks in advance.

 

[Itchy Trigger]

Forget the idea of linking barrels together - I'll just make a 4 way manifold with push connect fittings and a float valve on each barrel.