How do the big system guys make up water quickly?

Daniel@R2R · Feb 25, 2013

Ok, so I've upgraded from a 75 and 55 to a 120 and 180 (+ sumps on both)...I am having amajor problem with keeping up in water production. I tried using the Kold Ster-il system, and got burned bc of high phosphates that weren't removed...so it was fast on making water, but not clean enough... However, waiting for hours to make a few gallons is not possible...I'll never have enough for the top off plus water changes. How do you guys keep up? What kind of system would make water fast and clean??

Reefing Madness · Feb 25, 2013

Im using a 165gpd RO/DI, running it into a 55g drum. Im just using a clunker off E-Bay.

Otter_rs · Feb 25, 2013

I built my own system from cheep scraps. The best way to boost production is to get a higher flow membrane or to add a second membrane to your system. The bigger container you can use to hold water the better so it can run longer before shutting off.

Brent \><{{{{*>
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ddiver · Feb 25, 2013

get a 300gpd system, an enormous storage container and put a float valve on it...problem solved!!!

Jim_Dont_Care · Feb 25, 2013

yep 2x 29 gaon brutes for me one with float valve for ro/di water the other for mixing salt plumbed with uniseals and my back up dart to mix it so 29 gallons ro/di always on hand.100gph ro unit with boost pump makes water pretty fast.

gobeach · Feb 25, 2013

Anyone got schematics or a drawing for the float valve? I understand what the valve is, but unsure of how I would connect it to my RO/DI.

Otter_rs · Feb 25, 2013

Go to bulk reef supply's website and look for RO auto shutoff. I think they have a video on how to install if I remember correctly.

Brent \><{{{{*>
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gooch · Feb 25, 2013

Just picked up a 300 gallon per day unit from The Filter Guys. It rocks

mcarroll · Feb 25, 2013

Is there a reason you don't have a reservoir to stockpile your RODI water during "off hours"? That's how everyone else does it.

A Rubbermaid Brute is one of the most common reservoirs, but a plain fish tank or just about anything that will hold water can serve the purpose. You'll want at least 40 gallons worth of whatever you end up doing. If you want some specific suggestions, holler back with how much floor space you can dedicate.

If you absolutely need water on demand from tap water, you will need to eliminate the RO and go with a straight DI system. Very expensive (the reason for RO, in fact) but it'll work at more or less tap water speed.

-Matt

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Daniel@R2R · Feb 25, 2013

mcarroll said:
Is there a reason you don't have a reservoir to stockpile your RODI water during "off hours"? That's how everyone else does it.

A Rubbermaid Brute is one of the most common reservoirs, but a plain fish tank or just about anything that will hold water can serve the purpose. You'll want at least 40 gallons worth of whatever you end up doing. If you want some specific suggestions, holler back with how much floor space you can dedicate.

If you absolutely need water on demand from tap water, you will need to eliminate the RO and go with a straight DI system. Very expensive (the reason for RO, in fact) but it'll work at more or less tap water speed.

-Matt

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I think you have hit the issue I've got...I don't really know where I could put a large reservoir (except outside...but it's below freezing here, so no good...). How expensive is a straight DI unit? I'm not excited about expensive, but it might be my best option. I'll also see how creative I can be with what little space I do have...

Squishie89 · Feb 25, 2013

I recently made up ~15gallons of RODI water and have it in 3 home depot buckets for emergencies. Obviously for the large systems you have 15g is only a drop but, just start slowly accumulating the water between water changes. A bucket here and a bucket there and soon enough you will have plenty of water stored away. (And if the wife gives you trouble about the stored water, tell her you are preparing for the end of the world/zombie apocolypse.)

ericta000 · Feb 25, 2013

Squishie89 said:
I recently made up ~15gallons of RODI water and have it in 3 home depot buckets for emergencies. Obviously for the large systems you have 15g is only a drop but, just start slowly accumulating the water between water changes. A bucket here and a bucket there and soon enough you will have plenty of water stored away. (And if the wife gives you trouble about the stored water, tell her you are preparing for the end of the world)

Going use that thanks lol

Daniel@R2R · Feb 25, 2013

My problem is that between top off and water changes, I can't keep up...storing extra isn't an option right now... :-(

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Squishie89 · Feb 25, 2013

mdbannister said:
My problem is that between top off and water changes, I can't keep up...storing extra isn't an option right now... :-(

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Then I think you either need to think about either upgrading your RODI unit or getting a booster for it or doing the float valve to shut it off so it doesn't run over and then you can be filling buckets/barrels/bins whenever.

I saw that another issue is not having the room for a large reservoir inside. Here is something you could do, but it is a bit time intensive. If you can find space places for small reservoirs, like 5g buckets or containers, then this could work. Get a brute trash can and have your rodi flow into there, lets pretend for the sake of not knowing that your rodi is in the kitchen under the sink, put the trashcan in the kitchen, start filling it up. As it gets close to 5g, transfer the water to a small container and place wherever (and I would suggest clearly marking what is inside the container). Continue to do this whenever you can, till you have your extra water. And then you can keep the empty brute trashcan out in the garage or outside with a tight fitting lid (maybe even tape it down so no bugs get inside).

mcarroll · Feb 25, 2013

The DI filter unit isn't where the expense will be, sadly. (Would be a fixed cost - should be similar to price of an RODI system.) The expense will be in DI media. Depending on the exact media and tap water conditions, you can expect 2000-3000 gallons per cartridge at most. Realistically it could be a small fraction of those numbers. You're looking at $10-$40 per refill.

I never recommend it, but you can plumb you RO straight to your sump if you can rig a shutoff float somehow. Then all you have to stockpile is water change water at least. (RO works best in long batches, or continuous operation. Short on/off cycles will keep the filter from working optimally.)

I would really use my imagination to find some space for a reservoir. Even if you can only come up with a square foot there are options available.

-Matt

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Reefing Madness · Feb 26, 2013

mcarroll said:
The DI filter unit isn't where the expense will be, sadly. (Would be a fixed cost - should be similar to price of an RODI system.) The expense will be in DI media. Depending on the exact media and tap water conditions, you can expect 2000-3000 gallons per cartridge at most. Realistically it could be a small fraction of those numbers. You're looking at $10-$40 per refill.

I never recommend it, but you can plumb you RO straight to your sump if you can rig a shutoff float somehow. Then all you have to stockpile is water change water at least. (RO works best in long batches, or continuous operation. Short on/off cycles will keep the filter from working optimally.)

I would really use my imagination to find some space for a reservoir. Even if you can only come up with a square foot there are options available.

-Matt

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Pretty much. I agree, the DI Resin will kill you in the long run, the other cartridges last alot longer than this stuff does.

Daniel@R2R · Feb 26, 2013

I do have a small space I could use (maybe 2 square feet as a footprint...), but could there really be options for that small a space??

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glamisracers · Feb 26, 2013

I have 2 300 gallon food grade containers 1 salt 1 ro that each has a 300 gpd ro/di running to them I also have 500 watt heaters in them I have it on a auto fill never have to do water changes I love it

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mcarroll · Feb 26, 2013

Check out http://solar-components.com/aqua.htm

They offer several variations including some with integrated stand and plumbed with a drain. I would call them and see what they offer as the best solution.

Just for example, probably the simplest tank they offer that would surely fit is a 12" x 8' column - about 47 gallons and $175, plus freight. 18" x 5' is abt 66 gallons and only $193.

-Matt

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maroun.c · Feb 26, 2013

Some options:
-Managing a storage place, even a mobile one, a 40-50 G resrvoir stored in basement and brought up home for 2 days to collect and mix saltwater before a water change: Lots of labor involved
-A 300GPD RO which can produce enough water for a WC very fast: A bit on the expensive side
-Fitting a small reservoir in your stand for water changes, communicates with your system-Kill flow to it and you got some water you can take out for the water change without shutting down your flow-Fill with RODI water-Add salt and mix and then start water flow when done.
I have a Water change tank in my stand but only use it for changing the water without stopping flow as I mix the water in the basement.
I run a 100GPD RODI for 20-25 hours a week and get enough water for TO and water chnges for a 400G tank and a 130G sump, 2 70 G Frag tanks with a 50G sump and a couple of 10G and one 60G Fish Q tank and a 20G Coral Q tank...