Avoiding Using an RO unit

[ScooterTDI]

I actually tried to do something very similar based on a plan I found on the lifestock.org website. For the record, I have chloramines in my water supply...

Long story short, it didn't work too well. I had a 3-foot 1.5" PVC pipe packed with Fluval carbon and it only reduced the chloramines a little (as measured with a Red Sea Fresh Water test kit). I originally tried the Kent Reef Carbon (cylindrical pellets), but since it didn't pack as well it was even less effective than the Fluval media.

As experiments go it really wasn't that expensive, and I'm glad I at least tried it. That being said, I'll be purchasing an RO-DI before I fill my new tank with water.

Cheers!

Thanks for the info! What was your flow rate throw the carbon?

Scott

 

[ScooterTDI]

I could be wrong, but it sounds like you would be just as content with something like a brita filter that they make even for on the tap use. I don't see a reason to go beyond that if you are not wanting and/or willing to go with an RO unit.

Well as far as I know, a Brita won't remove ammonia, nitrate, or phosphate, which are the things I am most concerned about. After thinking about this more and looking at my water bill (~$7/1000g including the sewer charge), I'll probably just keep using RO. It just bothered me that I was removing a lot of things that I was going to add back in when mixing salt.

Scott

 

[recife111]

So I can't really think of a good reason that I really need RO or RO/DI.

Most hobbyist use on so seems silly not to. Hardly think they are expensive.

 

[rayjay]

OR, you could move to an area with great tap water.
Our great lakes water plus an excellent processing plant means that I can do just that.
(For 17 yrs now other than about 3 yrs where I experimented with using DI)
An interesting side note to this is that many local reefers are using RODI hooked up to this water supply, and a large number still experience a lot of apparent water problems along with the inherent algae that runs amuck.
From the ones that use tap water, there doesn't seem to be any greater percentage with problems than those using RODI.

 

[cbrivkalns]

Thanks for the info! What was your flow rate throw the carbon?

Scott

My flow rate was very slow (drips), but I did throttle it with a ball valve. Flow rate did make a difference, and my chloramine test results were worse with a higher flow rate. Here is essentially what I built: http://www.livestockusa.org/WATERFILTER.html The one I built was a bit longer, though, and I used unions to attach the elbows.

It sounds like you're trying to duplicate a product that already exists, though: the Kold Ster-il (http://www.marinedepot.com/reverse-osmosis-deionization_kold_ster-il-ap.html). I'm not sure how effective this unit would be in removing chloramines, but, then again, maybe chloramines aren't used in your water supply. But the lack of waste water sure is a nice feature!

-- chad

 

[ScooterTDI]

Sadly, my water supply does use chloramine. The mention of chloramine removal is suspiciously absent from the Kold Ster-il info. It is interesting that it removes phosphates though. Phosphates are my single biggest problem with my tap. I don't mind a few ppm nitrate and chloramine can be treated with Amquel. I'll have to investigate the phosphate removal abilities.

Scott