What size of UV filter for non-RODI water?

[homersimpsonlikesfish]

What size of UV filter would be appropriate for a 10-gallon FOWLR tank that uses ordinary tap water? Non-RODI water usually creates algae and I want to know how big of a UV filter will eliminate the algae.

 

[blaxsun]

What size of UV filter would be appropriate for a 10-gallon FOWLR tank that uses ordinary tap water? Non-RODI water usually creates algae and I want to know how big of a UV filter will eliminate the algae.

I wouldn't use ordinary tap water unless it's a freshwater tank... Algae is pretty much par for the course in any thriving reef tank, and you're more likely to have other issues if you don't use RODI for mixing.

 

[homersimpsonlikesfish]

I wouldn't use ordinary tap water unless it's a freshwater tank... Algae is pretty much par for the course in any thriving reef tank, and you're more likely to have other issues if you don't use RODI for mixing.

Do you know where I can get an inexpensive RODI that I can connect/disconnect to a garden hose? I have a 20-gallon Brute mixing bin where I prepare the saltwater and it is next to a garden hose.

 

[blaxsun]

Do you know where I can get an inexpensive RODI that I can connect/disconnect to a garden hose? I have a 20-gallon Brute mixing bin where I prepare the saltwater and it is next to a garden hose.

You can buy some relatively inexpensive ones you can hook up to your sink, etc.

 

[homersimpsonlikesfish]

You can buy some relatively inexpensive ones you can hook up to your sink, etc.

There is no sink next to my saltwater prep container as it is in the garage next to the garden hose.

 

[blaxsun]

There is no sink next to my saltwater prep container as it is in the garage next to the garden hose.

Depends on your budget then. I use an AquaticLife RODI system.

 

[homersimpsonlikesfish]

Depends on your budget then. I use an AquaticLife RODI system.

Are you referring to this: ?

And what does it mean by "50 gallons"? And how do I connect this to a garden hose?

 

[blaxsun]

Are you referring to this: ?

And what does it mean by "50 gallons"? And how do I connect this to a garden hose?

Mine is a bit different, but that's a popular one - yes. 50 gallons per day of RODI water. You'll probably need an adapter at your local Home Depot (etc.) but it does come with some of the plumbing fittings.

 

[homersimpsonlikesfish]

Mine is a bit different, but that's a popular one - yes. 50 gallons per day of RODI water. You'll probably need an adapter at your local Home Depot (etc.) but it does come with some of the plumbing fittings.

"The RO Buddie+DI will produce about 2 gallons of filtered water per hour if your water pressure is 65 PSI and the water temperature is 77°F." Does this mean that the water coming out is very slow? Is there any way to make the water come out at normal speed?

 

[homersimpsonlikesfish]

If I want to stick with regular tap water converted to salt water, what size of UV filter do you recommend to combat any algae? Has anybody attempted this before?

 

[blaxsun]

"The RO Buddie+DI will produce about 2 gallons of filtered water per hour if your water pressure is 65 PSI and the water temperature is 77°F." Does this mean that the water coming out is very slow? Is there any way to make the water come out at normal speed?

Yes. A storage/pressure tank will increase the flow.

 

[exnisstech]

I would pass on UV for algae control. It only works on particles in the water column. I ran 2 in the past and they did absolutely nothing for gha, cyano or diatoms. I didn't expect them to but many people think they do when they read they kill algae. To be honest I'm not sure what types algae they are supposed to kill.

 

[blaxsun]

If I want to stick with regular tap water converted to salt water, what size of UV filter do you recommend to combat any algae? Has anybody attempted this before?

This falls outside what I would recommend, so I can't suggest a path that would end up being successful (sorry).

 

[exnisstech]

Yes. A storage/pressure tank will increase the flow.

Not really because it still typical slow RO rate going into the tank. The pressure tank just increases the flow out of the tank and are normally used for drinking water systems to push it out of the faucet. They will not speed up the RO process. A booster pump can help with that if input pressure is low.

 

[blaxsun]

Not really because it still typical slow RO rate going into the tank. The pressure tank just increases the flow out of the tank and are normally used for drinking water systems to push it out of the faucet. They will not speed up the RO process. A booster pump can help with that if input pressure is low.

The pressure tank will help boost the flow, but yes - having a storage tank is kind of "cheating" with respect to overall flow.

 

[exnisstech]

To the OP is buying RODI from a lfs an option? Not my recommendation but would probably be a better option than using tap.

 

[Lebowski_]

To the OP is buying RODI from a lfs an option? Not my recommendation but would probably be a better option than using tap.

Or even regular old RO from a water store would be better, especially if it’s a small tank.

 

[Oldreefer44]

If I want to stick with regular tap water converted to salt water, what size of UV filter do you recommend to combat any algae? Has anybody attempted this before?

IMO, Too many issues that tap water will cause that make a UV filter well down the list of priorities. I would use the money to help save for an RODI.

 

[Oldreefer44]

Another option is to by water from the grocery store since you can do a 10% water change with 1 gallon of it.

 

[kyleinpdx]

Get an RODI unit, there is no excuse not to. There is no earthly thread pitch/count that you cant convert to/from. Yes you can hook them up to a garden hose with an adapter for that thread pitch/count, yes you can hook them up to a faucet, yes you can hard plumb them. Hell, I even have a contingency plan to filter collected rain water through my RO unit if SHTF...

UV does not remove any other contaminants from water such as heavy metals, salts, chlorine or man-made substances like petroleum products or pharmaceuticals.

The way the RODI process works requires pressure and time, just like reef keeping, if you cant handle either (or both) there are plenty of other hobbies that cost a lot less for the same punishment.