RO water / Water changes

[Tedj]

Hi just wondering when doing water changes do you have a RO system or use bottled water or a different method Thanks in advance

 

[benjammin03]

It is almost always going to be more cost effective to buy an RO system. I also find that it's more convenient to be able to make water and have it on hand whenever I need it.

 

[nereefpat]

Yep, an RO (even better RODI) is pretty standard/necessary equipment.

 

[Tedj]

Thanks I was looking at the stage 5 or 6 from brs

 

[LuizW13]

I initially was going to avoid an RO/DI system, i thought, "heck, all i have is a 25 gallon tank, how much water am i really going to need, anyway". Immediately after i started curing my dry rock, i realized how much of a pain it would be to make all those trips to the supermarket; so i ordered one the next day.
I'm seeing the same scenario happen with water evaporation..didn't think i was going to need an Auto Top Off...

 

[benjammin03]

Also having to buy water like that is just another obstacle in doing routine water changes. You want to eliminate as many excuses as possible to do a water change. Having it on hand and ready to go makes you more likely to do it. Or maybe I'm just more lazy than most.

 

[snowlynx]

How long can you leave premixed RO DI saltwater?

Is it better to make fresh batch as needed?

I have a small 17 gallon tank. I am storing
RO DO fresh water in 1 gallon containers.

When I do mix, I use 5 gallon bucket with
powe head to mix while the RO DI is running in
the bucket

So I was thinking to have 4 one gallon saltwater premixed
till water change is needed.

Is there anything you can do with the dirty water
You take out of the tank? Is it much too salty
For potted plants?

 

[benjammin03]

I would mix saltwater 24-48 hours in advance and try to use it within a week. You may be able to keep it longer, but I don't see a benefit in having that much SW available. You will get more use out of having plain RODI on hand for top offs, rinses, and other things.

I would just throw out the dirty water. The salt would kill almost all plants you would have potted around your home. There aren't many plants that grow around beaches.

 

[Valentini89]

I'm going to just be honest here.. for the over 6 months I've had my 26g Bowfront I have used tap water and just dosed it with water conditioner to remove chlorine/chlorimines/etc. I will be purchasing an RODI system when I set up my 150g.

 

[Pelagic_e36]

I'm going to just be honest here.. for the over 6 months I've had my 26g Bowfront I have used tap water and just dosed it with water conditioner to remove chlorine/chlorimines/etc. I will be purchasing an RODI system when I set up my 150g.

I have done the same thing since I started my tank almost a year ago. However I know my corals would be much happier if I went RO although I don't have any major algae problems, as some tap water users do.

 

[benjammin03]

I think you could get away with it if you keep on a pretty strict water change schedule. However in my experience, if you wait too long you are much more likely to run into big issues. I also seemed to get large algae outbreaks when using tap water.

 

[Snaredrum]

Thanks I was looking at the stage 5 or 6 from brs

I have had the BRS for over 5 years now and love it. I have the 6 stage.

 

[Gladmaker]

Is there anything you can do with the dirty water
You take out of the tank? Is it much too salty
For potted plants?

It will kill potted plants. Also, if you have a septic tank, do not pour it down your drains. That much salt can destroy your septic system. I have a septic tank, so I pour my waste water onto my unpaved driveway. It kills the grass there.

 

[Crooked Reef]

I don't see your tank size but if it's over 60 gallons I would definitely suggest the ro/do unit as opposed to buying. I go through anywaher between 5-10 gallons a week for top off water alone.

 

[kmbyrnes]

A few months of lugging containers in the summer heat ( or winter cold ) will help make up your mind on the benefits of an RO/DO system. Anything more than a 20 gallon tank will require at least 10 gallons a week between WC and topoff.
I often see folks with 6 or more 5 gallon containers at my LFS and wonder why they do it.
My LFS charges 33 cents for RO/DI. A 75 GPD RO/DI unit sells for about $150. It would pay for itself in less than a year.

 

[Scurvy Dawg]

I was in the "Do I really need a RO/DI system?" camp. Finally decided to get a BRS system and can't imagine life without it. Have a RSR 170 that uses about a gallon a day and don't miss the trips to the store to get water. I recommend it no matter the tank size.