Newbie dumb question- Ro/DI

[zachdave]

I am in the research stage of setting up a 55 gallon FOWLR and believe I will be needing a RO/DI. Can you confirm that 35 gal/day would be enough? And please explain where the water is stored once it is filtered. Does the unit have to be drained daily and the water stored in separate containers? That would mean at least 10 gallons every two weeks. Can the filter be "deactivated" since I will only be using it for the water changes?

 

[sweatervest13]

35G/Day may be enough for what you need. It is all personal preference. I have a 75g/day unit and I like that.
You provide your own storage container. A lot of folks use a Brute trash can (32g is nice for about $30.00 at Lowes and extra$$ for the base with wheels).
You should be able to shut down the unit to stop production of new RO/DI water. Mine uses a small ball valve. I simply turn it on when it is time to "make water". (that phrase always makes me smile... Make water. lol as if, right?)

 

[mr. limpid]

I have a 135gal tank and a 50gal RO unit (yes filling it for the first time took some time). I store my RO water in gal milk or drinking water jugs (that I have washed out). When making large batch of water for water change I do as sweatervest13 suggest, I use 32gal plastic garbage can that I let the unit run over night to fill the water I require.

 

[geridoc]

I use a 32 gallon rubbermade tub fitted with a float valve. I did the valve after I forgot that I was filling the tub one day, and flooded the basement with lots of ro/di. $25 bucks for the valve was a bargain after that!