RO/DI questions

[grubsnaek]

Just a couple of questions about a ro/di unit. i am going to get one, but want to know as much about them as i can.
i currently have a FOWLR in a 125.
1. what is recomended gpd.
2. how long does it actually take to fill a 5 gallon bucket.
3. if i was to set up a garbage can with a shut off valve and the whole nine.
what should be done with the water that i dont need.
4. should i mix the salt in the can/bucket. actually can to the DT gravity.
5. how long can the excess water that i dont use be used.
any info will be greatly appreciated!

 

[kogle]

I don't know the answer to all of your questions but I can tell you my unit makes about 30 gallons per day. I let it drain into a trash can and use the power head in there to pump it out into 5 gallon jugs like the culligan man uses.
I try not to let the too much extra water sit in the trash can because it gets slimy. (don't know why water tests perfect)
I don't know about mixing saltwater in the container. I don't see why it would work, I just found it easier to mix it in the 5 gallon buckets so I would have a good supply of fresh water in the trash cans for top offs.
Hope this at least helps you out a bit.

 

[boozzbro]

Originally Posted by grubsnaek
Just a couple of questions about a ro/di unit. i am going to get one, but want to know as much about them as i can.
i currently have a FOWLR in a 125.
1. what is recomended gpd.
2. how long does it actually take to fill a 5 gallon bucket.
3. if i was to set up a garbage can with a shut off valve and the whole nine.
what should be done with the water that i dont need.
4. should i mix the salt in the can/bucket. actually can to the DT gravity.
5. how long can the excess water that i dont use be used.
any info will be greatly appreciated!
1. you want to be able to produce a little over what you need for a 25% water change. so you need about 32 gallons to do a 25% change then go the next size up usually a 40 gpd or 50 gpd.
2. 40 gpd would take about 3 hours and a 50 gpd unit woudl take about 2 1/2 hoours.
3. use a float valve to shut off the RO. when the flot rises high enough the the valve will shut and no more water will go into the trash can.
4. using ro you shodl aerate and mix for at least 12 hours.
5. excess water will start to grow bacteria in about 24 to 48 hours unless its chlorinated. it can turn septic in about a month.

 

[boozzbro]

oh i forgot to mention as long as you have water running to the unit you will have a reject stream going down the drain. be aware of that when you are operating it becasue if you live in a city like me you pay for the sewer discharges.