RO System Setups

[opium89]

I've been investigating various R/O systems getting ready to change my freshwater tank over. I guess ideally, I'd like to have at least 20 gallons of R/O water available once a week. How in the world do you do this without having a $1000 membrane tank to store it in? Not that I even have the space to store a tank that size anyway. Please share some of your setups. Thanks!

[stoneroller]

I have a small GE 11 gpd unit from HD. It has a 3.5 gallon tank under the kitchen sink. I ran a line through the wall to use for filling up my top-off container; it's also plumbed to a little faucet for drinking and making ice. When I need lots of water I hook my line up to a 15 gal mixing barrel; it has a float valve to prevent spills.

[opium89]

So you just let it run for a day or two into a barrel for your big water changes?



I have a small GE 11 gpd unit from HD. It has a 3.5 gallon tank under the kitchen sink. I ran a line through the wall to use for filling up my top-off container; it's also plumbed to a little faucet for drinking and making ice. When I need lots of water I hook my line up to a 15 gal mixing barrel; it has a float valve to prevent spills.

[rz1a]

i bought the ocean reef+1 from the filter guys. i think if psi is like 60-70 you make 5 gallons in 1 hr or so. i let it run and store water in those 5gallon water jugs then mix them in a large container with salt when i need to. some people have them connected to large containers where they store the water then pump the water into another container to mix the salt

[opium89]

How long will water keep in a good old plastic container before it's unusable? We've been hauling R/O water from HEB for my wife's amazon tank for the past few months but it's only 10 gallons at a time, once a month or so.

[apedroza]

I store my top off water in a 30gal rubbermaid container from walmart. My salt is stored in a rubbermaid brute can. Water is usaully used up in ~2wks for fresh and 1mo for salt. I would invest in a good ro/di unit with a shutoff valve installed so you turn it on and off as you please.

[stoneroller]

So you just let it run for a day or two into a barrel for your big water changes?


I let it run overnight, comes out to about 10 gallons.

[jroescher]

I use a 55 gal plastic barrel to store about 30 gallons at a time. Have a powerhead and heater in the bottom of the barrel that I turn on the day before a water change when I add salt. Use it up every 2-3 weeks.

[opium89]

So here's my thought..I could install the the R/O system in my extra bathroom where I have been previously doing water changes. Fill my 40 gallon plastic tub (I've been filling it in the bathtub with my freshwater tank previously) use a float valve to shut the thing off the night before a water change. Prepare the water in the tub and then pump it to the tank the same way I was doing before. The only problem I have had with this so far is I hate dragging a garden hose across my living room!

[Bill S]

Do you have room under the tank for a storage tank? I bought one made for RVs and it works GREAT. It was a 40g, and it holds about 37 gallons. They come in all sorts of sizes. I have 2 RO/DI units, one in the kitchen, and one for my big tank, and it's located in the wet bar next to the tank.

[opium89]

I probably could make room but there's not water source nearby. I would be interested to see your RV tank though. I assume this is not a membrane tank but rather just a storage tank?

[ismvel]

Do you have room under the tank for a storage tank? I bought one made for RVs and it works GREAT. It was a 40g, and it holds about 37 gallons. They come in all sorts of sizes. I have 2 RO/DI units, one in the kitchen, and one for my big tank, and it's located in the wet bar next to the tank.
Bill, where did you get that container from? Forgot to ask you that when I saw it.

[caferacermike]

Coca COla bottling plants sell off their extra corn syrup and flavoring 50g drums for about $5. They even come with a handy valve.

I have a 125g sprayer type tank mounted on 4x4's 6' off the ground in my garage. My Ro unit fits nicely mounted between the legs of the stand. I used a tap from my cold water line for my washing machine as it is in the garage.

[Bill S]

I bought it on ebay. I don't remember who I bought it from, but here's one like it:

Dang, just forgot - no ebay links. Try searching on RV water tank