20 gallon mixing container & RODI unit suggestions?

[dgphelps]

I'm looking to streamline my water changes after talking to John at the meet. I've been getting 5 gallons of water from the Crystal Geyser machines each week, mixing 5 gallons of salt water and letting it heat up and mix with a pump and heater until ready to do the water change.

I'd prefer to just have premixed water on hand and then take out what I need.

I saw a few 20 gallon trash cans on Amazon (no clue why the lids are sold separately) and wondered if anyone here had any advice.

I figure I can mix the water and take the 5-6 gallons I need a week until it runs low - add some more fresh water and salt and start again. Rinsing and cleaning with bleach every few months if it starts to get nasty.

If I do that, I should also look at an RODI unit. My tanks are small, so I don't need extreme output - more like a unit I can attach to the hose and let the 20 gallon can fill up.

Would appreciate any tips or tricks or local resources!

 

[frost0fractal]

Most of the salt mixes I've read say to use within some number of hours of mixing. I'm not sure why, but just figured I'd mention it.

I do have similar questions though as I want to build myself a mostly automated water change system. Does anyone know of any reason not to have mixed saltwater just sitting around waiting for use? If this is totally acceptable, does the container need flow, aeration, can it be in a sealed container or does it need to be open to the air?

 

[dgphelps]

I think the biggest risk is if you actually put something in the mix and it dies and fouls it. I leave mine in the 5 gallon for about a week with the heater and pump mixing it around with the lid on but not sealed. It gets a little slimy but I've read that is clay like anti caking compounds or small natural bacterial blooms - nothing that will impact the water quality. I think if you don't mix it with a pump and seal it then it can get nasty - but even then I have read you just need to add a pump and let it aerate a bit for a day before use.

Mabe if it's left for months the natural levels of minerals and such might fall (iodine, magnesium, etc)?

I use mine quick enough and am actually likely to use it more often if I had it ready and on hand. I could peek at the tank and think, time to do a water change! Or if something goes south / I want to heavy feed, I could just grab 5 gallons and change it all.

 

[dgphelps]

Went to Friedmans and found a tough 20 gallon trash can with a lid for $15. On Amazon they were running $30 and $10 for the lid. Hope that works!

Now I just need to figure out the ro/di. Any recommendations?

 

[Just2Many]

RO/DI Bulkreefsupply They make a great system and you can buy what your going to need.

 

[Just2Many]

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/bulk-...everse-osmosis-systems/universal-systems.html

I think any one of there Universal Systems should do the trick!

 

[Dragonvale]

Went to Friedmans and found a tough 20 gallon trash can with a lid for $15. On Amazon they were running $30 and $10 for the lid. Hope that works!

Now I just need to figure out the ro/di. Any recommendations?

Don't know what trash can you got but I like the brute's with the rollers. Their expensive but they don't bow and are tougher than tough. Again expensive along with the roller.

For the Ro/Di I'd go for BRS's least expensive unit.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-4-stage-ro-only-system-75gpd-2.html

but if you want the best bang its this one

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-4-stage-value-water-saver-plus-ro-di-system-150gpd.html

Your tanks are small so I honestly do think you need to get the trash bin and RO/DI unit unless your looking into the future. If that's the case bit the bullet now.

For where you originally get water, I'd be cautious. I saw a thread a very very long time ago with a hobbyist checking the TDS of these machines. If the maintenance is not on par then you don't really know what your getting. Get water corner of Summerfield and Montgomery in Santa Rosa their TDS is zero for sure. Buy 3 5 gallon drums from them or on craigslist and fill them up and use the trash can to mix it up. Good luck and let us know what direction your head towards.

 

[woodnaquanut]

Went to Friedmans and found a tough 20 gallon trash can with a lid for $15. On Amazon they were running $30 and $10 for the lid. Hope that works!

Now I just need to figure out the ro/di. Any recommendations?

I like and have used for years the Brute cans. Grey is the most common color.

For RO/DI I use the BRS Value Plus RO/DI,
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-4-stage-value-plus-ro-di-system-75gpd-1.html

I like it over the non-Plus because of the meters. Gives you a real sense when it's time to change filters. Because Santa Rosa water is quite clean and has no chloromines, my DI lasts FOREVER!

The one dragon linked to, with two RO units, is also great. Considering you won't be making much water at a time, the water savings won't great.

If you get the value plus, it comes with shutoff. All you need extra is a float valve for the trash can.

 

[swk]

Be cautious using any unit with 2 RO membranes. If your source water supply doesn't have enough pressure, you'll cook your membranes or DI prematurely. Or, you'll end up needing a booster pump and then we're entering overkill country for your setups.

SR city water is like a dream for RODI units. No chloramines, and hardness around 160-180ppm.

I bought a used RODI that I have no idea how old the membrane is. I obviously regularly replace the prefilters and DI canisters, but after the RO, my tds is 3. My rejection rate is over 98%, and my DI lasts forever with 0 tds water. To top it all off, I get 2.5:1 ratio!

All this with just a plain old used 4 stage RODI unit...

 

[dgphelps]

Thank you all for the suggestions and advice. Glad to hear the local water is nice and clean once filtered with an RO/DI. Do we have a club TDS meter?

And while definitely overkill - I imagine I will move to at least a 20 gallon in the coming months. Even if I don't it saves me trips to grab buckets of water and I can always have some on hand. Win win.

 

[swk]

Little handheld tds meters can be had for under 50 bucks. I bought mine used for 10, iirc.

 

[frost0fractal]

TDS meters can be had for pretty cheap.
I have 2 hooked into my RO/DI, and then 2 handheld ones.

I buy RO/DI stuff from this place http://theh2oguru.com/reefkeepers-rodi.html
They have anything you could ever want.
Nothing wrong with BRS, I just like these guys.

I use the brute containers, without the rollers, don't need them for less than 30 gallons (for me anyway, I can easily drag them around the house full of water). Friedmans is a good place to get them as they are priced nicely.

 

[Reef Bass]

Brutes with rollers +1.