RO/DI questions

[Ok_cowboy1]

1. i am considering purchasing the 150 GPD RO/DI tomorrow, but really don't have a good place to install it! Can this be installed outside or in the garage? I live in Oklahoma so the weather does get very cold!

2. How would you store the Ro freshwater before throwing it out? Can it be stored outside? Same question about saltwater.

3. What does everyone use to store their water in? Type? Size?

 

[Opus]

I believe the best place to install the RO unit is by the washing machine. That way you can buy an adapter that goes on the cold water outlet that goes to the washing machine that splits the outlet into 2 outlets. One goes to the washing machine and the other to the RO unit. Then you just put the waste outlet line from the RO unit in the drain for the washing machine. You can run it outside but I wouldn't leave it there. Installing in the garage is OK but the winters will cause you problems. Colder water makes the RO unit production slow down. You can store freshwater for as long as you want. Just get a rubber trash can that is food grade. You can store it in the garage but I probably wouldn't want it outside. You want your water to be at least room temp when you make up the saltwater. Saltwater can be stored but usually not for long, maybe a week or 2. Can depend on the salt. Some say to use within a day or less. I personally try to keep 4 of the 5 gal water containers full at all times and have them in the house so I can immediately use them.

Also, I recommend getting prefilters of 1 micron or less. You don't mention what brand you are buying so can't comment on the RO unit itself.

 

[BummersReef]

Have you got a basement? we have laundry room in basement so that's where it goes. If your only place is the garage, that would work. We have everything in our basement where it gets fairly cold all year long so we heat the RO water, makes it much easier to make saltwater. We only make enough saltwater as needed so end up storing very little, but as we water change once a week, the left overs never sit for long.
We just went to Lowes or whatever and got those garbage cans .... 30 gallon ones .... one for RO, the other for saltwater, the cans came with lids. Are you using a sump under the tank or in a different place? If possible, of course, put the RO/DI system as close to sump as possible. Where in your house is the display tank going to go? Is there by any chance a closet on the other side of the wall that could be used? (evil grin as you could do a major plumbing job and well .... nevermind ..... lol)
When we got our RO/DI system, I did a lot of asking before hand and was told Spectrapure is super well respected. I have an AWESOME LFS and that is the only kind they use and many people on here use the same.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I'd store it forever before discarding RO/DI water. For saltwater it depends on the mix, but those without organics can be stored a long time.

Temperatures are the concern for the RO/DI. What is your climate?

I use grey brute trash cans for storage.

 

[Ok_cowboy1]

Sorry about that, I am looking at the bulk reef model as I have watched a few videos on it and seemed very easy! As far as pluming, again very limited. I have a heater closet it the garage in which I could mount in there or again outside! I did look at the washing machine idea, but my dryer has to hook to the cold water as well so that's out lol!

 

[njtiger aquariums]

I live in an apartment and don't want to mess with any plumbing in this apartment. I didn't install my RO/DI unit. I take it out and hook it to my sink each time I need to make water (every other week). This has been working well for me. I now even make a 5g of saltwater which I leave for 2 weeks with no ill affect.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Sorry about that, I am looking at the bulk reef model as I have watched a few videos on it and seemed very easy! As far as pluming, again very limited. I have a heater closet it the garage in which I could mount in there or again outside! I did look at the washing machine idea, but my dryer has to hook to the cold water as well so that's out lol!

Your dryer uses water? Sounds inefficient. lol

 

[njtiger aquariums]

Your dryer uses water? Sounds inefficient. lol

Agree not sure why a dryer would have any water line. Crazy question but could it be a gas dryer and not an electric?

 

[twilliard]

Don't some dryers have a steam function?

 

[njtiger aquariums]

Don't some dryers have a steam function?

could be that. Didn't even think of that.

 

[Ok_cowboy1]

could be that. Didn't even think of that.

yes the dryer has a steam option! I haven't lost my mind yet! LOL

 

[Ok_cowboy1]

Agree not sure why a dryer would have any water line. Crazy question but could it be a gas dryer and not an electric?

it is an electric dryer

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

lol OK :)

 

[chefjpaul]

T- a line off the washer line

 

[Ok_cowboy1]

T- a line off the washer line

Thank you for the suggestion, but I already have a t on the washer line going to my dryer lol! I am not comfortable adding another to help prevent leaks! Thanks again!

 

[chefjpaul]

Thank you for the suggestion, but I already have a t on the washer line going to my dryer lol! I am not comfortable adding another to help prevent leaks! Thanks again!

Sorry, didn't catch that earlier.

 

[Ok_cowboy1]

Sorry, didn't catch that earlier.

Don't be sorry, You guys are giving me a lot of good information! I appreciate all comments and help!

 

[chefjpaul]

Here is how I have mine.

T- off bathroom water line, the rodi tube runs through a wall into an adjacent closet, where I have water storage.

Hooked upto a booster pump. Its about 30ft. total travel.

I also run a line from my resevoir to the tank about 60ft.+ through my crown molding. So virtually 3 separate areas all connected.

I don't know your layout, but you can hang the rodi unit

close to your mixing container and run the line from virtually anywhere.

 

[Ok_cowboy1]

I live in an apartment and don't want to mess with any plumbing in this apartment. I didn't install my RO/DI unit. I take it out and hook it to my sink each time I need to make water (every other week). This has been working well for me. I now even make a 5g of saltwater which I leave for 2 weeks with no ill affect.

This is probably what I will do at first!

 

[njtiger aquariums]

This is probably what I will do at first!

If you do this route make sure to get a unit that has a flush value on it. When you hook it up flush it for 3min and then switch it over to normal operation. After done making your water flush it again for 3mins. I do this on my unit and have been running great for me.