finally bought one after almost 5 years

[twizzlerman77]

I am sick of having to haul jugs back and forth to the fish store, and not really knowing what the true quality of the water is, so after almost 5 long years I finally broke down and bought myself a brand new RO/DI unit from BRS. I went to their flebay store and I bid on this model and won.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/75-gpd-ro-di-5-stage-plus-system.html

I got it SIGNIFICANTLY lower then the price on their normal website. As soon as the money clears into my paypal account and I send them their payment I should have it up and running within just a couple days.

Now, I need to decide on what float valve I would like to hook up to a RO/DI reservior,(20 gal. brute trash can) and I need to locate the trash can still. Does anyone know where I can find the brute at locally, or have one laying around?

 

[zero26]

Yo man congrats, I've seen brutes at lowes but they are pretty pricey I just used a knock off brand. As for the float, I have one from brs, and I think I saw one at seascape. Oh and another thing I had to relocate my reservoir and my 75 gpd unit pushes it 30 ft.

 

[tall_jason79]

i have one that hangs on the side and is held in place by set screws. It also has about 6 inches of adjustment up or down. I picked mine up at seascape. It works good because i have a 55 gallon tank for top off water and i use a brute can to make water changes so i can switch it back and forth.

 

[rbnice1]

If you use a float valve I would also put a bulk head in the top of the reservoir you use and run it to a drain. that way you wont ever over flow it.


Couldnt tell you how many time I fell alseep and forgot about it. Thank god for that drain.

 

[twizzlerman77]

Thanks for the info guys. I got a float valve yesterday, and the RO/DI unit is on its way here, but I still need a in-line check valve, and the brute or something similar. Anybody have either?

 

[babybull]

Home Depot and Lowes both sell Brute also havewheels that lock on the bottom. Easy to move around. I got both for under $60. Paul

 

[zero26]

Why a check valve?

 

[frenchie]

ro/di unit a must for reef keepers. Anyone spending as much money as we do on our tanks would be crazy not to have a ro/di unit.

 

[twizzlerman77]

Why a check valve?

Check valves keep water from flowing backwards. I think it may also have something to do with back pressure, and the auto shut off valve but I am not 100% on that.

 

[logiktest]

Having your own RO/DI unit is one of the best decisions you could possibly make for a reef tank. I'm sure you wont regret it.

I'm a bit lost on use of a check valve too... are you planning to leave the unit turned on 24/7 and having the float control the unit? If so, even a check valve may not stop TDS creep.

 

[GPhiAce]

Congrats on the purchase. My RO/DI and brute were great investments.

 

[twizzlerman77]

A check valve comes in all of BRS "auto shut off kits".

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/auto-shut-off-kit-for-reverse-osmosis-systems.html

Check out 1:30 in this video it explains why to use a check valve.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/video?file_name=69

The kits come with 4 things.

1. auto shut off valve (which comes with my unit)
2. float valve (which I got at LFS)
3. 5 feet of tube (dont need)
4. in line check valve (what I still need....maybe??)

No, I do not plan to leave the unit on 24/7 the float is a back up plan in case I forget it is on or fall asleep or something.

 

[StupidsReef]

Congrats! That's a good buy. I left mine run 24/7 with no real issue's. But this was after I flooded my house a few time's too (do to my ignorance ). If you need space or not, you could just use a 5 gallon bucket as the top off. I did it for a while, and IM LON2 does it too. Place the float valve inside the bucket with a maxijet to push it around and your done. You don't really need a huge volume of make up water unless your planning on useing the top off for that purpuse.

I really loved the top off set-up from ATO. I call it "painless" top off.

 

[twizzlerman77]

Here it is, and it only took 2 days to get here! High five to BRS for doing a super sweet packing job. It was wrapped and taped in bubble tape very well, and shipped in a box FULL of peanuts.

After hooking it up in a temporary location until i can get some screws to hold it onto the wall.

BEFORE DI

AFTER DI

I am letting the filters rinse for 2 hours its only recommended that you do 1 hour before use, but I want to be safe. Then I will be making my first batch of water for a water change tomorrow. YAY! :bounce1:

 

[Im Lon 2]

Here is what I figured out when I was shocked that I just set mine up and I'm already at a TDS of 2 (after my DI). Note I also made about 350-400 gallons of water and I have a 2 chamber DI system.

With your ro unit putting out a TDS of 17 and 1 canister can covert up to 3500 TDS per Chamber you should get about 205 gallon of Zero TDS.

I know I worded that wrong but that is how I remember it, to figure it out.