Tap

[frankieboy]

Inevo thanks, and it takes long to fill container, can I fill it up a little then do again later. Or I must fill up all at once, and ato top off valve you put it in sump other part goes to storage container, top off tank. Cause I don't have a basement, garage is small car inside can store brute container in boiler room or temperature won't be good for top off water. I know top off water has to be the same temperature as dt. Also can I use ten or twenty gallon buckets labeled for fish use only want to keep everything in cabinet stand under display tank next to sump.

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[lnevo]

You can always run your RO/DI manually for a few hours at a time....but I recommend something like this so you can turn it on overnight and let it run.

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

The same type of float valve can be used for a gravity ato, but this along with the auto-shutoff valve will turn off the pressure to your RO membrane and prevent your brute from overflowing!

Getting water from your LFS is ok...but you will need a lot for a 150g tank! Definitely easier to do it yourself after you are setup.

The boiler room is fine for setting it up, and you get the benefit of it being warm

 

[frankieboy]

Thank you inevo I'll put brute in boiler room. Store water for top off. And how do I setup to top off my sump can I use a ten gallon tank in stand I put water from my brute, with same temperature as dt. Any special ato unit to get ?

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[lnevo]

The easiest way to setup an ato is with a pump and float switches. There are more advanced methods that use pressure sensors or photo sensors to detect the water level and turn on the pump until the level returns to the determined point.

Look at JBJ, Tunze, Avast Marine for three different types and budget.

Also look at autotopoff.com and bulkreefsupply.com BRS has a nice selection as well as some diy kits.

If you are buying a controller like apex reefkeeper or reefangel you can use float switches to tell the controller to turn on/off a pump.

The method i used was much simpler but also has disadvantages. I have a line run from the bottom of a container that is higher than my float valve and it used gravity to let the water fill the sump when the valve opens and stops when valve closes. The biggest problem is that you need more room because the contajner needs to be raised higher up. I keep all my electronics underneath in another "sealed" container. If i need to get into that other container i need to drain the reservoir and take it out..a bit of a pain but it works for me...

You will also need to find a way to mount float switches, i found some good brackets on ebay, i use my switches for other functions with my controller.

 

[frankieboy]

Thanks you inveno for Info I will look into this, cause I dont want to see container in my Living room. I'll research on ato so i can setup something easy. Also water changes would I have another brute mixed with salt or i can use smaller container, one easy to carry around.

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[lnevo]

They make wheels made for the brute containers if you need for moving around...

I have two brutes, one for RO/DI water...you'll need for ato as well and I have the second to mix salt. This way for emergency water change, I have plenty of water on hand, or ready for next batch when I finish salt water. However, it's all downstairs in the basement so i carry up 5 gallon buckets...

 

[frankieboy]

Inveno thanks so I guess ilk do the same leave containers in boiler room and go fill up a bucket to transport water to display tank. And thank you again for all your advice.

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[Alfredo De La Fe]

The best thing would be to get an RO/DI unit which comes with an undersink storage tank and a "tap". BulkReefSupply has one, but I have seen them for about $150 elsewhere. You can even look on eBay for a new one. So that you have an idea what I am talking about:

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-4-stage-ro-drinking-water-system-75gpd.html

This makes it very easy to replace evaporated water daily, you don't have to worry about a float switch and flooding and you can use it for drinking and cooking!

Best,

Alfred

 

[lnevo]

Alfred the storage container from BRS is for the drinking water kit and you dot want to drink RO/DI you do want to drink RO. Plus he is going to have a 150 gallon, so that amount of water will not help much in getting water for changes and initial setup, or for emergency situations where a 30-50% change may be needed.

 

[Alfredo De La Fe]

You are still limited by the speed which the RO/DI unit can filter water. I have a 50 GPD unit and live in an apartment. Before this I had a unit without a storage tank and I would leave it running into a 5 gallon bucket. I would ALWAYS forget and end up wasting water. Now if I need to get 30 gallons I just wait until the storage container is full and drain THAT into a bucket.

Regardless, you still have to wait until the unit filters the water. So you will have the same exact issues in an emergency situation. In an apartment, it is very difficult to find space to store 30 gallons of RO water.

Alfred

 

[lnevo]

While you can drink RO/DI water, you shouldn't. The BRS drinking kit is made to tee off before the DI filter to fill the drinking water storage container and send the RO/DI for your SW needs. You should not be using just RO water in your tank. And while you can drink RO/DI, its been said to cause diarrhea and stomach ache as it strips minerals from your body rather than replenish because it is too pure.. YMMV

 

[frankieboy]

Thanks inveno I have a filter under my sink that filters drinking water. The ro/di unit I buy will be for fish tank only, thank you for advice something good to know.

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[frankieboy]

So anyone can comment does it matter what size gph ro/di you have to make water. Or is it the more gph more faster filter will work, anyone can explain to me I'm stuck planning on a 150 gallon tank. Thanks in advance

 

[lnevo]

Its just a factor of how long it takes to fill your storage buckets. I only have a 30g for RO/DI so it only takes 10-12 hours with my 75gpd. I make batches of 20 gallon of salt water at a time, which I use for 5g weekly changes. I evaporate about 5 gallons every 5 days, so I have enough water made to mix a new batch plus fill my top off reservoir. Plus in an emergency I can change 50% of my water within 24 hours. I have a 65g display.

 

[Decalf]

After reading the thread no one here mentioned a auto shutoff. This is also very important if your going to leave your system on and let a float switch turn it off. You can put hundreds of gallons down the drain without it. It a must buy with a float switch

 

[lnevo]

After reading the thread no one here mentioned a auto shutoff. This is also very important if your going to leave your system on and let a float switch turn it off. You can put hundreds of gallons down the drain without it. It a must buy with a float switch

+100

This is part of the float valve kit that I got when I bought my RO unit. This also has the added benefit of enhancing the life of your RO membrane. When the float valve closes, the back pressure will flip the switch in the shutoff and prevent water from flowing into the RO membrane. Without it, water will not be going into your storage bin, but will be going straight down the drain!!!!

Anyway, here's the part I have for reference.

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

 

[frankieboy]

Thanks Inveno I want a verygood ro/di system want one that will fill container in a day so a 100 gph is good to get I was thinking portable since my sink space is small I know about faucet adapter but I have no basement but can istall unit in garage have connect for garden hose. So does brs have good units a lot of members here told me different kind and company were to get I'm lost want something good so when filter needs replacing I can get it easy. Thank you for helping me on my thread

 

[Reefkings12]

RO di units come with the attachments for sink and outdoor hose connections so their is no problem their all you need to do it get one u can find them on bulkreef supply and marinedepot anywhere really that sells saltwater marine supply's