reverse osmosis question

[neupane00]

hey guys quick question. how does reverse osmosis filter come into play? first of all, is it absolutely necessary for reef tank about 30-40 gallon? second, where does it go? is it like hang on the behind filter and should be on all day or is it like u take the tap water make it go thru reverse osmosis and put that RO water in the tank. And only use reverse osmosis filter again when you do water change for new water?
if it has to run it all the time, do you usually put this on behind of aquarium or does it go around sump ?

 

[THE ROOK]

It's very necessary for a reef tank. Should be your 1st purchase. I would not start your new tank with tap water. It's just asking for algae problems.

Many, including myself, have the RODI units in the laundry room & hooked to a garden hose wye (with valves). I only run mine once a week for 5-6 hours. I store enough water for the weeks top-offs & water change.

Here's a link to a good unit with a decent price. There is a quick video on there for you to check out. Bulk Reef Supply is a sponsor here & they're customer service is excellent.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/RO/DI...-75GDP-RO/DI-5-Stage-System/product_info.html

 

[che25]

This was the best DIY project that I have performed for my tank. My system is set up in the kitchen, I collect water for monthly water changes and enough reserve water for the Auto-top off system.

We live on a 3rd floor flat in San Francisco. The RODI filter saves me the cost and labor of shelping 20 - 35 gals. of water up 3 flights of stairs. It has made the tank much more enjoyable and stable because DI water is always available.

Make sure to get TDS sensor to test your filters as they become depleted.

Good Luck.

 

[tipmoff]

+1 with THE ROOK. I have a 52 gal mixed reef and battled algae problems for several months. I was going to the LFS and getting thier RO water but decided very quickly it would save money and time in the long run to get my own. I hooed up mine like THE ROOK in the laundry room and run it once a week for wc and top offs. Bulkreef supply has decent prices but their customer service is second to none.
With the size tank you have you do not have to have an automatic top off like some reefers have. Spend the extra few dollars and get an RO/DI unit as it will make perfect water for a reek tank. Get one with either a built in TDS meter or purchase a hand held one so you know what the water quality going in and coming out is. Bulkreef has many YouTube videos on this subject and many other. Check them out.

 

[neupane00]

thank u guys. one last question. so u guys run RODI system to collect the water in some kinda bucket i assume. How long will the collected water last? for example can i collect the water. Store it and use it after a month? will the water quality go down cuz of storing for a long time? also i assume u add the salt and other chemicals (what other chemicals?) to the RODI water before storing? also is there any system that will auto shut off the RODI system when the water in your collection bucket is full or u just keep an eye on every few hours to see if the collection bucket is full and shut off the RODI system?

 

[che25]

I collect about 25 gals for a routine water change. I collect the water in a 35 gal Brute Industrial garbage can, which is very heavy after filling. This problem was solved by installing a caster wheel base on the bottom of the can. The wheel base can be purchased at Home Depot or White Cap Industries. Any contractors tool or supply yard should have it as well.

I then wheel the finished salt water to the tank and pump the new water into the sump for a water change.

I don't use any float switches for the filter, although you could do this. More complexity and more things to go wrong. Instead, I visually monitor the salt water container. It takes about 8 to 10 hours to fill it. I use all of it for a water change.

I do store the fresh water collection for up to a month with no problems. Because the fresh water is collected in 5 gal. containers, I have had some spills when I fall asleep on the couch or get distracted by a good movie or book.

Now, I simply place the 5 gal. containers in the kitchen sink in case of distraction. This prevents the down stairs neighbors form knocking on my door freaking-out when water is leaking into their flat!

 

[sebrofjr]

I have been really happy with a direct inline setup. I know some ppl dont like this option but its working excellent for me.

I have a unit setup under the sink upstairs that has a pressurized tank setup with it that holds 25 gallons. This is split to a faucet on the sink and to the fridge for ice/water. From there it is split again to run to the basement where the tank is directly to a Level-Loc ATO in the sump. I have it setup on a timer to only run twice a day for 5 minutes and it keeps my water levels in line. It has 3 levels of protection (timer, float switch,and float valve). I plan on adding a DI unit downstairs just before the ATO unit to get 0 ppm but right now its pretty good at only 1 ppm.

The whole setup was under 400$ Canadian. (290$ 6 stage RO unit, 90$ Level Loc ATO)

 

[mmedeiros2]

neupane00 - I understand that you are new to the SW hobby. I would suggest that you do a lot of reading up on keeping a SW tank, especilly if you plan on having a reef tank. I say this because this hobby can cause a lot of headachs if you start out by trial and error. There is a little bit to learn. If you spend a few months reading first, things will be a lot smoother for you, and prob. less expensive. Buy a good how too do saltwater tank book. They are very usefull for begining and later on as reference.
You have to be very carefull of what is told to you by the local fish store. This is a very good forum. Read a lot of other articles and learn from them.
The answer to one of your questions - also i assume u add the salt and other chemicals (what other chemicals?) - You add salt to the ro water on the initial filling of the tank and water changes only. When you top off evaporated water, you add ro fresh water only. No salt. When salt water evaporates, the salt is left behind.
You DO NOT add chemicals. NONE. The salt mix will have every mineral that is needed. Once you do more reading and become more experienced, you will learn that you might have to whats called dose, depending on your reef load and type of corals. Look through the articals in this link. This will give you an idea as to what is involved. I am not trying to discourage you, just trying to help. Good luck.
By the way, I have had fresh water fish all my life, and when I started SW 1.5 yrs ago I was clueless. I read and researched equipment for about 6 months before I filled a get my feet wet 10 gal. tank. 75 Gal. soon. I am so glad I went that route. Check out these articals
http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=102605

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-05/rhf/index.php

 

[THE ROOK]

I use 20 gallon Rubbermaid Brute containers. They are $20.00 at Home Depot. The gray Brute containers are food safe, thus they won't leach any chemicals back into your nice fresh water.

I don't rely on a float for my RODI either. I have a pretty good idea how long it takes & just set my cell phone alarm reminder. You could also pickup a $10-$15 garden hose timer & install inline. These will shut off the supply when done.

A RODI unit, a $20 handheld TDS meter & a 20 gallon Brute container would be a great start & get you thru your first 6 months without issue. You can mix saltwater in 5 gallon buckets for quite awile.