Chronicle of my 180g Aquarium
- Thread starter Psyire
- Start date
Psyire
Premium Member
I just got through looking back a few pages and realized that I missed an update.
I recieved my Aquatronica Conductivity/Salinity Interface awhile ago now and have had it running ever since. I'm super impressed by it as it is very very accurate and reliable. I can see exactly how much salt my protein skimmer is removing and how dramatically my salinity drops over time. It's definately a nice addon to an already great controller.
Here's a picture of the Interface & Probe:
This setup measures mS to the tenth decimal, so you can see by the following chart how accurate your readings are:
I recieved my Aquatronica Conductivity/Salinity Interface awhile ago now and have had it running ever since. I'm super impressed by it as it is very very accurate and reliable. I can see exactly how much salt my protein skimmer is removing and how dramatically my salinity drops over time. It's definately a nice addon to an already great controller.
Here's a picture of the Interface & Probe:
This setup measures mS to the tenth decimal, so you can see by the following chart how accurate your readings are:
speedingredline
New member
Who was the seller on ebay that had the fitting you used on the washer hook ups? I tried the link you provided but since the listing is too old I can't view it. I've been looking for fittings like that but can't seem to find them.
Thanks, Greg
Thanks, Greg
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=4155198#post4155198 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Psyire
Back in November I setup my RO/DI unit as I knew this was going to be crucial for the success of my Aquarium.
Here are the full details setup:
Unit before installation:
Mounted on wall doing initial flushing:
Top Plumbing:
Plumbing to Tank:
Bottom Plumbing:
Explaination of plumbing:
Faucet Installation:
Waste H2O into sink: (other side of wall)
And that's pretty much it. Basically I've set it up so that I use only the DI part for my Aquarium water. The Storage tank is used to store water that we use for filling up the dog's dish, mini freshwater aquarium, and any other water around the house. I use the 'bottle fill valve' to fill up the 5 gallon water cooler jugs that was use for 99% of our drinking water. I also routed the waste water in such a way that it can either be used to fill up the Washing machine, or just go down the sink drain.
Note: I have an inline TDS meter installed and you can see it in pic #3 above. You can see the feed water probe in pic #6. The final water probe is tough to see as it is installed to the right and sort of behind the RO unit, you can kind of see it in pic #3.
I've been using this unit for a couple months and it works great. I have no complaints at all. Without using the DI my TDS (total dissolved solids) reading is at around 4-5, with the DI it is 0. Perfect.
The only thing I have yet to figure out is how to route my line in order to use it as an auto-top off. It's quite far away from my tank but I really don't want to be packing all that water to my Aquarium everyday...
speedingredline
New member
Thanks, I found it, dont know how I missed it.
psyire... Looks awesome
tang_man_montreal
New member
Psyre,
Do you find that you are accurately mixing the hot and cold water going into the RO/DI filter with the use of those JohnGuest valves? I've seen people mix hot/cold water but by using a Mixing valve available from McMaster. Do you notice a big difference in throughput and efficiency when mixing the hot/cold as opposed to just using cold water?
Do you find that you are accurately mixing the hot and cold water going into the RO/DI filter with the use of those JohnGuest valves? I've seen people mix hot/cold water but by using a Mixing valve available from McMaster. Do you notice a big difference in throughput and efficiency when mixing the hot/cold as opposed to just using cold water?
Psyire
Premium Member
I do definately notice a difference when mixing the water... BUT
All I do is crack the hot water valve to take the winter 'chill' off the cold water in. I don't try and bring it right up to temp, as it's too risky.
Example: Somebody flushes the toilet and that robs all the cold water for a few minutes and causes my RO to get very hot. (this hasn't happened, but it could)
Water is also cheaper than electricity, so heating the water before my RO unit is not really optimal (dollar wise). I do however warm it slightly. (especially when it's very cold outside)
I don't mix the water at all during the summer months. I find I don't really need too.
All I do is crack the hot water valve to take the winter 'chill' off the cold water in. I don't try and bring it right up to temp, as it's too risky.
Example: Somebody flushes the toilet and that robs all the cold water for a few minutes and causes my RO to get very hot. (this hasn't happened, but it could)
Water is also cheaper than electricity, so heating the water before my RO unit is not really optimal (dollar wise). I do however warm it slightly. (especially when it's very cold outside)
I don't mix the water at all during the summer months. I find I don't really need too.
Bax
Premium Member
Beautiful macro shot!
FWIW on the RO water, I tapped my cold water line and zip tied the tube to a copper line coming off my boiler for hot water baseboard heat. Works great for now and I don't put any strain on my hot water heater. During the non-heating season I'll have to mix hot with cold feed water but it works great for now. Warmer water makes a huge difference in RO production IME.
FWIW on the RO water, I tapped my cold water line and zip tied the tube to a copper line coming off my boiler for hot water baseboard heat. Works great for now and I don't put any strain on my hot water heater. During the non-heating season I'll have to mix hot with cold feed water but it works great for now. Warmer water makes a huge difference in RO production IME.
Psyire
Premium Member
That's definately a good idea, a heat exchanger of sorts.
I think one of the best methods for heating your incoming water is to coil a whole pile of tubing in your sump, that way it cools your tank and heats your RO water as well. The only problem is you need your RO unit near your tank, which is something that I'm unable to do. (without punching a whole pile more holes in my walls and roof)
I think one of the best methods for heating your incoming water is to coil a whole pile of tubing in your sump, that way it cools your tank and heats your RO water as well. The only problem is you need your RO unit near your tank, which is something that I'm unable to do. (without punching a whole pile more holes in my walls and roof)
asnatlas
New member
I never thought about using the sump... I have read about people setting up a 5gal bucket with a heater in there and having the incoming tubing coiled in the bucket... But I love the sump idea... I may have to do that on my new setup... How much tubing do you think ?? 50-75' ??
speedingredline
New member
that is a good idea. I know what I'm doing now.
