Episode III of "The Lazy Reefkeeper" series (RO/DI for Dummies)

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12259889#post12259889 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gtstricky
2008 bump for us newbies.

Any changes?
Click to expand...

Yikes, sorry for such a late response. For some reason the auto notification didn't let me know there was a post to this thread.

I just finished changing out the filters and DI resin and this thing is running like a champ! I've never had to change out the RO membranes yet as they STILL produce ~14 ppm water (before the DI). I have no "back flush" feature either (I am skeptical as to the benefit of backflushing anyway)

I did change out the pressure storage tank since they reccomend you do every 2-3 years for sanitary reasons. I upgraded to a 5 gallon tank this time (vs the 3.2 gallon I had previously)

I am more convince than ever that the Neptune is THE best RO/DI platform you can possibly buy! The triple DI stage is simply a pure water powerhouse!

Incidentilly, I have recently built a second one from scratch that I am making into a nice "turn key" unit with storage barrel, floatswitch, plumbing, and everything needed for both reefing and drinking. I'll probably trade away the new matching system after experimenting with a few different configurations first.
 
Also an update on my final decision followed by a question to the Meister.

Update:
I went with the under kitchen unit from Air Water and Ice. A very helpful outfit, as
ReefMeister suggested. I installed the unit a year ago and set it up to feed a faucet at the kithen sink, the refridgerator and a DI filter in the basement. Works like a charm. I just changed the filters last week (the recommend 1 year max). I am very happy with it. I skipped the house filter. The wife is happy with the new shower head I got with a chlorine filter.

Question:
I use a rubbermaid container to store the DI water. I do not have a pump in the container to churn the water. Do you think I need to put one in? The water recently (2 months) started developing and odor. I think because it stays stagnant for too long - I do water changes every 2 weeks.

Thanks again as always.
 
sorry, I'm just now noticing your question to my thread....for some reason the auto-e-mail feature didn't alert me to the new post.

Anyway, to answer your question:
theoretically, DI water can be kept indefinitely IF (and a big IF) the container is sterile and no bacteria is introduced. I never needed to clean my DI water storage barrel even though I checked it at least once per year, mainly because it was high off the ground and its tight-fitting lid was rarely distrurbed. I suspect that you either have a loose-fitting top on your container or is otherwise disturbed periodically where contaminants are allowed to enter the container.
I would simply sterilize it once per year on a regular schedule.
Keep in mind that those containers were never designed to hold liquid and are subject to burst eventrually....maybe not for a long time, but eventually.
I hope this helps
Kevin
 
How in the heck do you claim to be "lazy" with such a great presentation, excellent illustrations/pictures and setups?

Excellent effort and a job well done!!!

Of course, when unloading backs of cement from the pickup a truely lazy person would take two at a time, to get done faster.

Touche....
 
I hate it when I read through a whole thread to realize right before the end that half of the whitty comments I thought of were in response to 2 year old posts. At least it has recent replies and I realized it before it I posted lol...

Anyways I figure there are two basic categories of lazy people. The first which I don't entirely understand are the ones that you notice have a highly depreciated life style because they're too lazy to try for anything. Then there's the people who are "lazy" because they know there should be an easier way to do everything, and they will burn a phenominal amount of energy trying to figure out that easier way. I think we know which one we have here....

Great threads!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13659405#post13659405 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zachofalltrades
I hate it when I read through a whole thread to realize right before the end that half of the whitty comments I thought of were in response to 2 year old posts. At least it has recent replies and I realized it before it I posted lol...
Click to expand...

:lol: :lol: Me TOO!!!! :p

Thanks for takin the time to share with us!!!
 
Howdy Folks!!!

How are you all doing?

I decided to bump this thread to the top for the benefit of many hobbyists who have been asking about RO/DI systems lately.

I now happily own TWO of the Neptune systems and couldn't possibly be happier! I now have a 300-gallon storage tank for DI water and an outside spigot to my driveway so I can give the cars a final Towel-Free DI Rinse when washing them. Only takes a couple of gallons mind you (I use regular water for most of the washing and then DI very last)

In any case, shoot me a line if anybody has any questions.

Kevin Adams
"The Lazy Reefmeister"
 
Henry Bowman said:
THIS SHOULD BE A STICKEY !

Thread of the month worthy...
Click to expand...

Thanks Henry, I am honored by your comments (bows in respect)

Unfortunately, the powers-that-be at RC have never liked me for one reason or another :( so I highly doubt your nomination will be taken seriously.

I don't know what happened to Episode #1.
I've inquired numerous times to the web master about what happened to it (which I committed MANY man-hours to its creation, mind you) and not a single reply.

...frustrated but not discouraged. "I do what I do for people like you, Henry" :cool:
 
I remember episode 1, I think it went back a couple of years, loved it.

I agree this one should be a sticky. :)
 
I am truly honored guys, thank you for the nomination and encouragement! (blushes uncontrollably)

I'm curious though....how does one even go about REQUESTING "sticky status"???

- Do I have to pass a gang initiation of some sort???
- Climb a mountain and ask the Oricles???
- Say "May the Force be with me"???
- Pray for devine intervention???
- Confess all past sins??? (wait...not nearly enough time for that one)
:wildone:

Does anybody know???
 
Last edited:
Just a quicky update for all you LazyReefGroupies...

My Neptune 8-stage is still going strong as ever pumping out 0 TDS water at 150 GPD,
though now mounted high in a corner of my garage and plumbed so that the waste water irrigates the plants out front of our humble Casa-de-Aquaritat.
IMG_0015.jpg



Though I did bump up my DI Water reservoir just a tad bit.....
...to 300-gallons of Strategic, Apocolypse-Ready, Hydro-Oasis Goodness!


IMG_0020.jpg


WhooHoooo! and spotless bathtime for the TrailBlazerSS, baby! :cool:


..
 
RGibson said:
What is the red pump used for?


This should be a stickey more then enough time has pass.
Click to expand...

The red pump came with the tank when I bought it as the old owner used it to circulate saltwater through the tank. Since I'm using the tank for RO/DI water, I use the pump provide full line pressure for water delivery.
There is a "T" right about where that flexible tube dissappears into the corner splitting one direction OUTSIDE the house to a hose bib and the other direction into hard plumbing that runs over to the opposite corner of my garage to the mixing barrel. The Outside hosebib is niiiiiiiiiiiice. You'd be surprised at how many things you can use absolutely pure DI water for.

Kevin
 
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