Temp control for RO/DI unit with ATO

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gwhunter

Guest
I just bought out a tank setup from a local guy. In the package deal was a RO/DI unit with an auto top off float in his wet/dry. I'm canibalizing his system into mine and selling off the stuff I don't want. I've never used an RO/DI setup since I never really saw the need. I've got well water and was running fish only. I really like the idea of the ATO and want to add it to my wet/dry. My question is about temp contol of the water. The unit wall mount and hooks up to a standard hose connection. But how do ensure the water's the correct temp? Are you supposed to connect to a faucet and hope the water's in the ballpark of 78-80? I don't really have a spot to leave it tied into my water supply all the time. The guy it came from had it run up from the basement through the floor to the filter. Pics of your setups would be good so I can get some idea's.
Matt
 
J

jetskiking

Guest
First on temp. Don't worry about it. Water will not enter the system fast enough to drop the temp in the main system.
Second. I don't recommend running an RODI as your topoff. The only way is if you can setup redundant shutoffs. If the float valve stops working then it will just keep adding fresh water in your system increasing chances of a flood and killing your livestock.
 
scsinet

scsinet

Active Member
In an auto-topoff scenario, the RO system will never be putting much water into the system at a time. Depending on the sensitivity to of the float valve, I wouldn't expect that it'll add more than a few dozen ounces of water during a "valve cycle."
This isn't going to be enough to swing the temperature by much.
Say you've got a 50g tank. The water is 80 degrees. Even if you added a gallon of water at 40 degrees into the tank, that's only 2% of the tank's total volume, at a 40 degree drop. So 2% of 40 degrees is 0.8 degrees. Plus, RODI units don't produce a hard stream of water... more like a trickle.... so that water is going to be added slowly... an ounce or two per minute, more than enough for your heaters to keep up.
 
G

gwhunter

Guest
So maybe I should set up the ATO valve plumbed to a 5 gallon bucket and just make ro water to fill the bucket with? I'm not sure I need the RO/DI unit at all what are the advantages of them. I always see guys using them but I've never seen the need. If it were a reef maybe.
Matt
 
scsinet

scsinet

Active Member
Whether or not you need one depends on the quality and contents of your source water.
If you've not had a problem with nuisance algae, and you have a stable environment, then you probably are okay without one, given that you only have a FO.
 
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gwhunter

Guest
I'm going to be adding some LR with alot of life on it. I also was looing to get some hardy low light corals. My LFS has some that come in on LR pieces. I'd love to not have to manually add top off water weekly.
Matt
 
J

jetskiking

Guest
Originally Posted by Rigdon87
http:///forum/post/3135629
Weekly,you've got it good buddy i top off my tank everyday...
Amen, I run an ATO and still have to top off weekly. I go through a few gallons a day.
 
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gwhunter

Guest
Do you have covers on your tank? I go through alot more in the winter months due to the dry air. I don't even go through gallons on my of evap on my 210.
Matt
 
J

jetskiking

Guest
Originally Posted by GWhunter
http:///forum/post/3135725
Do you have covers on your tank? I go through alot more in the winter months due to the dry air. I don't even go through gallons on my of evap on my 210.
Matt
I run a canopy with fans and halides. So no its not closed and I need the evap to keep temps stable when the lights are on.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member

I put a 10g tank under my stand with Auto top off...I just fill the tank with RO water from my unit. I burst a $70.00 brand new MH bulb because a tiny drop of water splashed the bulb. My auto top off eliminates the splash and protects my lights, and is easier to fill up than a daily top off. To me an auto top off is worth its weight in gold.
With MH lighting I can't use a glass top, before the MH lights I had one, and it stopped allot of evaporation, and jumping fish. Auto top off once every week..so a top makes a difference.
If you decide to use it..just use a tub or something, don't direct connect the auto to off to the RO unit. It is easier to clean up a 10g spill than a never ending source of water.
 
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