reverse osmosis system?

Shane Kennedy · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 17

just bought a RO/DI system
the RO water will go to a storage tank & then to my kitchen
the DI water will go to my aquarium
i'm going to set up a drip feed into the aquarium
w/ a overflow to the sewer line
(want to automate water changes)
the unit comes w/ an auto shutoff attached to a float in the tank
what i'm concerned/confused about is:

if the auto shutoff kicks in, will water stop flowing to my aquarium
& if it doesn't & water is constantly flowing to the aquarium
since the water to the aquarium will be less than the output capacity of the RO
will the incoming presure send unnecassary amounts of water down the waste line

TIA
shane

Archived from group: rec>aquaria>marine>reefs

Marc Levenson · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 667

Hi Shane,

People have set up their systems similarly to what you have in mind. They use the
float switch on the end of their DI's output, which is located in their sump. As
evaporation occurs, the float drops and allows water to flow, and when it has
lifted the float upward it shuts off the flow. Your RO unit would probably run for
about another 30 seconds to pressurize, and then it is off. No more water will
flow, including your waste line, until the float drops again.

Personally, I'm not happy with this configuration, and don't do it.

#1) The first few minutes of output is less pure than if it runs for a good while.
With a float switch in the sump, you'll only be adding maybe .5 gal at a time. So
you'll always get "the first few minutes worth" of water.

#2) The float fails in some way, and the unit keeps adding new water to your system
until your salinity drops, your floors are wet, and your reef is in trouble.

I'd rather fill up a holding tank (5 gal sparkletts jugs work great!), and add it
to my tank as needed. If you have a small resevoir near your tank, you can limit
the amount of water 'accidentally' dumping into your system.

Automated stuff is great, but there is a risk for failure, so there are things I do
daily. I add fresh water, feed my tank, add B-Ionic.

Marc

Shane Kennedy wrote:

> just bought a RO/DI system
> the RO water will go to a storage tank & then to my kitchen
> the DI water will go to my aquarium
> i'm going to set up a drip feed into the aquarium
> w/ a overflow to the sewer line
> (want to automate water changes)
> the unit comes w/ an auto shutoff attached to a float in the tank
> what i'm concerned/confused about is:
>
> if the auto shutoff kicks in, will water stop flowing to my aquarium
> & if it doesn't & water is constantly flowing to the aquarium
> since the water to the aquarium will be less than the output capacity of the RO
> will the incoming presure send unnecassary amounts of water down the waste line
>
> TIA
> shane

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

AC · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 5

curious; what system did you buy?

Thanks,

Aaron
"Shane Kennedy" wrote in message@posting.google.com...
> just bought a RO/DI system
> the RO water will go to a storage tank & then to my kitchen
> the DI water will go to my aquarium
> i'm going to set up a drip feed into the aquarium
> w/ a overflow to the sewer line
> (want to automate water changes)
> the unit comes w/ an auto shutoff attached to a float in the tank
> what i'm concerned/confused about is:
>
> if the auto shutoff kicks in, will water stop flowing to my aquarium
> & if it doesn't & water is constantly flowing to the aquarium
> since the water to the aquarium will be less than the output capacity of
the RO
> will the incoming presure send unnecassary amounts of water down the waste
line
>
> TIA
> shane

Shane Kennedy · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 17

"AC" wrote in message news:...
> curious; what system did you buy?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Aaron

bought the
http://www.aquariumwaterfilters.com/RODI/Barracuda.html
they offered 10% off everything of $50
also bought the drinking water kit

sk