Water change question

Bill Nye

Member
Hello everyone,

I have been away from fish keeping for about 5 years now and have moved since having my last fish tank. In my old house we were on a well but there was a utility sink with a pump near the laundry where I could dump my water change water/RODI waste water into and it would end up in my leach field.

My current house is also on a well but the laundry is upstairs and there is no waste water line available in the basement where my fish tank will be set up (Looking to rebuild a Mr Aqua 120p replica). I have a water hookup that is before the water softener that I can use to fill a tank but no where for water to go afterwards. My options are to use a pump and send it upstairs to a bathroom or out of the bulkhead (probably not an option during the winter). Both of these options seem like a hassle and my wife definitely wouldn't be too happy about sending fish tank water upstairs.

One of my biggest goals with this new set up is to make water changes as easy as possible since we've added two more kids to the family and my work life is busier than ever. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can rectify this problem or is my fish tank restart destined to never get off the ground?

I am not above calling a plumber but the issue is my basement is finished except for a small area where the water softening system and central air are located which is essentially a glorified closet. I don't think there is any room to put a utility sink in that area.

Thank you for any help or suggestions.
 
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Put your RO/DI in the laundry room and run the clean water line down to wherever your mixing station & tank are.
 
Put your RO/DI in the laundry room and run the clean water line down to wherever your mixing station & tank are.

Thanks for the reply.

Unfortunately the laundry room is on the second floor and I am intending on having the tank in the basement. I would also still have the issue of getting rid of the water I suck out during changes.
 
Thanks for the reply.

Unfortunately the laundry room is on the second floor and I am intending on having the tank in the basement. I would also still have the issue of getting rid of the water I suck out during changes.

Are there any drains in the basement?
 
There are no drains in the basement. I think I will have to call a plumber and see what they have to say. Maybe there is a way to sneak a very small sink in there.

Sump pumps? Not good for salt water but RO reject water could certainly go into a basement sump.
 
I will probably be setting up a planted tank (blasphemy I know) but would like the option of having the RODI down there as I’m sure the reef bug will bite sooner or later and I’ll have reef as well.

I called a plumber and they will be coming out next Friday to check out the situation. I was also thinking maybe it’s best just to buy something like a jebao dct pump (8000?) and just pump it up into the bathroom which is near the top of the stairs. If the sink will cost 900 bucks to put it in spending 100 on a pump may be the practical choice. It’s hard to find information on jebao pumps unfortunately.
 
I will probably be setting up a planted tank (blasphemy I know) but would like the option of having the RODI down there as I’m sure the reef bug will bite sooner or later and I’ll have reef as well.

I called a plumber and they will be coming out next Friday to check out the situation. I was also thinking maybe it’s best just to buy something like a jebao dct pump (8000?) and just pump it up into the bathroom which is near the top of the stairs. If the sink will cost 900 bucks to put it in spending 100 on a pump may be the practical choice. It’s hard to find information on jebao pumps unfortunately.

If your basement has no drains the only plumming option is an ejector basin/pump which will not be salt safe ( the pump will rust). so your jebao idea with just a holding tub on the floor will do better and cost way less. I'm in the country on a well but my basement has floor drains which is where my RO reject water goes. I used to dump my dirty salt water down there but decided that could be bad long term so now I hike it up and dump it on my gravel driveway (even with the foot of snow like we have now). Keeps the weeds down.:)
 
As far as your ro/di reject water is concerned, catch it and use it to water household plants and gardening plants if you have them. Getting rid of the reject water shouldn't be a problem to get rid of.
 
Hi. I think you would do well to call a specialist from the company. After all, a professional plumber is a specialist who is engaged in the installation, operation or repair of sanitary equipment. In other words, he ensures the proper operation of heating, water supply and sewage systems in both residential and industrial buildings.
 
Hi. I think you would do well to call a specialist from the company. After all, a professional plumber is a specialist who is engaged in the installation, operation or repair of sanitary equipment. In other words, he ensures the proper operation of heating, water supply and sewage systems in both residential and industrial buildings.

Welcome to Reef Central malatras
 
If you have a walkout basement just open the door and chuck the used water out into the grass. I have my ro waste plumbed back into my kitchen sink drain, just drilled a small hole and crammed the tubing into it and put some sealant on it, been there 15yrs now.
 
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