RO system to control water parameters worth it?

[bradquade]

Ro a good investment or am I over thinking it?

I recommend running RO just because it gives you full control over your water parameters. Even if your tap water looks good based on a few parameters in the water test, there can be issues associated with using it. My tap water has no GH and 2 dKH and I thought it was perfect after using really hard Dallas, Tx tap water for years. My tank ran with no issues for 1.5 years and looked great until it all went bad. It turns out my tap water is treated with sodium carbonate, causing 40 PPM sodium to be in the water consistently with a pH of 9.3 coming out of the tap. This wasn't an issue at first because my tank had aquasoil. Once the aquasoil stopped buffering, I spent a year trying to understand why my tank was doing horrible after doing super well. Switching to RO partially fixed the issues, but the tank still wasn't perfect. It seems like the soil absorbed something in the tap and that was contributing to the issues. I wish I had started with RO because I wouldn't have wasted an entire year trying to figure out what was wrong and I probably wouldn't have had to get rid of a lot of aquasoil. I never thought about using RO before this because I used it successfully for many years, but this situation made me realize it's better to just start with RO if its possible.

Has anyone documented their setup? Like a guide or advice on connecting barrels, heating, plumbing, pros/cons of re-mineralizing in a barrel vs tank?

Rocco's setup is great, but I'm going to provide an alternative and lazy method that works when the tank and RO storage are on the same level. I'll also provide a parts list just for reference. There are two key parts of my method.

RO storage bucket with a float valve, heater, and circulation pump


DIY tool for removing and adding water


1) I turn on the faucet that has my RO container and let it run until it turns off on its own from the float valve/auto shut off.
2) When I want to change my water I plug in the heater and circulation pump
3) I put the water change tool into the tank, open the ball valve, and drain water into the sump in my basement. The tool was built so it would remove 70-80% of the water in 45 cm high tank.
4) While the water is draining I move my ~1000 GPH submersible pump into the RO bucket
5) After the tank is drained I attach the tubing for the submersible pump onto the hose barb on the water change tool.
6) I plug in the submersible pump and let it go. Once the desired water level is reached in the tank I turn the ball valve to off
7) Unplug the submersible pump. Put it in it's storage container. Turn on the RO faucet to start refilling.
8) Remineralize and front load macros in the tank.

This entire process takes 25 minutes for a 120P including remineralization.

Parts list:
RO system
44 gallon Brute trash can
Heater (only needed if your water needs to be preheated)
Circulation pump (only needed if you'll remineralize/front load in container or need to preheat)
Float valve and auto shut off
Submersible pump
3/4" tubing to connect submersible pump to water change tool
PVC pipe and fittings to make your water changer
Garden hose
3D printed baffle (designed by me and can share the model with anyone that wants it)
3D printed garden hose to 3/4" hose barb fitting (designed by me and I can share with anyone that wants it)

Remineralization in tank vs in container
I remineralize in tank because I use RO water for my 150+ houseplants and other small tanks. Since they all require different water, I don't want to remineralize water in the RO storage container.

 

[Unexpected]

100% worth it. Would never go back. Only thing I would change is getting a higher GPH setup at the start.

 

[Aquajack]

Thanks so much for everyones replies. That's a big YES for an RO system then. I've since looked further into specific models. The one I originally look at on Amazon didn't even remove Chloramines so I'm now looking at a local made one designed for reefers. Not sure yet on the 4 or 5 stager. The 5 stager has an extra carbon filter.

Reefer RO 4 stage
That one is only 50GPH but as long as I prepare early enough I (hopefully) don't see it being much of an issue.

I'll only be transferring on the same floor (99.9% of Aus homes don't have a basement).
So I'm thinking:

• A submersible pump in the water reservoir
• Some type of reservoir up to around 50G, or two smaller ones
• Float valve/auto shut off
• Heater, possibly, I currently just fill the tank from an outside hose which of course is unheated. I live in a sub tropical climate so never gets really cold but would be a good addition.
• Custom fittings/setup for transferring to tank (around 25-30 feet of travel so I'll just run flexible tubing when I need to use it). I like the idea of Rocco's low entry too into the aquarium to minimize disturbance.
• I'll remineralize in the actual tank

Any issues with that process, I'd like to see it torn down lol if needed.

 

[Unexpected]

Thanks so much for everyones replies. That's a big YES for an RO system then. I've since looked further into specific models. The one I originally look at on Amazon didn't even remove Chloramines so I'm now looking at a local made one designed for reefers. Not sure yet on the 4 or 5 stager. The 5 stager has an extra carbon filter.

Reefer RO 4 stage
That one is only 50GPH but as long as I prepare early enough I (hopefully) don't see it being much of an issue.

I'll only be transferring on the same floor (99.9% of Aus homes don't have a basement).
So I'm thinking:

• A submersible pump in the water reservoir
• Some type of reservoir up to around 50G, or two smaller ones
• Float valve/auto shut off
• Heater, possibly, I currently just fill the tank from an outside hose which of course is unheated. I live in a sub tropical climate so never gets really cold but would be a good addition.
• Custom fittings/setup for transferring to tank (around 25-30 feet of travel so I'll just run flexible tubing when I need to use it). I like the idea of Rocco's low entry too into the aquarium to minimize disturbance.
• I'll remineralize in the actual tank

Any issues with that process, I'd like to see it torn down lol if needed.

Um nope, don't you dare buy that. It's a complete rip off. Give me a second. And how many gallons is your tank?

You are in AUS? Willing to order overseas?

 

[Aquajack]

Um nope, don't you dare buy that. It's a complete rip off. Give me a second. And how many gallons is your tank?

You are in AUS? Willing to order overseas?

Yep in Aus and I don't care where I buy it from. 75G tank when empty

 

[JayP]

Yep in Aus and I don't care where I buy it from. 75G tank when empty

Bulk Reef Supply ships internationally and has all of its RODI units on sale. I really like mine so far. I don't know if the shipping cost would drive the price up unreasonably though.

 

[Aquajack]

Bulk Reef Supply ships internationally and has all of its RODI units on sale. I really like mine so far. I don't know if the shipping cost would drive the price up unreasonably though.

Hmm I did look at that brand and had really good reviews etc. But I would then have to contend with the US plug and the hassle of shipping. Neither of which are a big drama. I looked on their site and I would need to setup a US forward address, after which the forwarding company would then mail onto me. Oh for that other one I listed, don't forget once convert to USD is around ~$200.

 

[Unexpected]

@Joel Armstrong if my brain hasn't failed me, you are in AUS, no? Please tell me RO units don't cost a million dollars over there?

 

[Joel Armstrong]

@Joel Armstrong if my brain hasn't failed me, you are in AUS, no? Please tell me RO units don't cost a million dollars over there?

Yes mate, I'm in Australia

You can get cheap RO systems over here, but I researched a bit and went with Reef Pure RO. Not the cheapest, but it does seem the extra coin is well spent. Quality system, i did need to add booster pump. Their customer service is excellent also.

I ended up going with a system from Home - Reef Pure RO Systems

 

[Aquajack]

@Joel Armstrong what model did you end up going with? I was looking at the 4 or 5 stager. I didn't bother with the models that have gauges/inbuilt tds as I'll test the tds separately.

 

[Joel Armstrong]

@Joel Armstrong what model did you end up going with? I was looking at the 4 or 5 stager. I didn't bother with the models that have gauges/inbuilt tds as I'll test the tds separately.

I spoke to them on the phone prior to buying it. I explained how much water I wanted to make and that I didn't need the DI stage. They suggested a 100gpd system, and that they'd give me a discount and not include the DI stage. (They still sent the DI stage with resin though)

5 Stage 100GPD Premium RO/DI System - Reef Pure RO Systems

Our 'Premium' range of RO/DI systems, across all stage variations, include all optional accessories as well as 2 x 50GPD RO membranes. These systems do require a minimum water pressure of 65psi. So, as long as the minimum water pressure can be provided, they will produce water twice as fast as...

reefpurero.com.au

It does actually make 100gpd too.

 

[Unexpected]

Yes mate, I'm in Australia

You can get cheap RO systems over here, but I researched a bit and went with Reef Pure RO. Not the cheapest, but it does seem the extra coin is well spent. Quality system, i did need to add booster pump. Their customer service is excellent also.

I ended up going with a system from Home - Reef Pure RO Systems

Thank you Joe.

 

[Unexpected]

This is what I have. I know it is a China company. Can you ship from China reasonably?

 

[Aquajack]

Thanks @Joel Armstrong & @Unexpected .

My Week Aqua came from China (Ali Express). I think I ordered it about the time Steve Jobs introduced the iphone and received it not long ago LOL.

I'll start by giving those guys a call. In the time of just a few clicks to order everything, you sometimes forget that you can pick up a phone.

 

[Kwyet]

Quick question, if it’s okay. Do RODI systems exert any pressure on house water pipes? I use a Bulk Reef one to make a few gallons each week, but since paying $6000-ish to remediate the mold in the bathroom and rebuild it from 3 leaks behind the wall, I’ve been keeping the pressure on the RODI gauge at 60, just in case. That takes 2 hours to fill 5 gallons though.

 

[Unexpected]

Quick question, if it’s okay. Do RODI systems exert any pressure on house water pipes? I use a Bulk Reef one to make a few gallons each week, but since paying $6000-ish to remediate the mold in the bathroom and rebuild it from 3 leaks behind the wall, I’ve been keeping the pressure on the RODI gauge at 60, just in case. That takes 2 hours to fill 5 gallons though.

No.

 

[gnatster]

For those of us living in small spaces and unable to tap into the water supply, a 4-stage 50 GPD RODI that fits in a bucket.

 

[Koan]

For those of us living in small spaces and unable to tap into the water supply, a 4-stage 50 GPD RODI that fits in a bucket.​

View attachment 14344

​

[unauthorized]

​

 

[Aquajack]

Not sure how others plug it in but I was just going to mount it inside the laundry cupboard on the left hand side.
Then for plumbing, I was going to attach a y splitter to the cold water washing machine tap and hook it up that way. Tap is in bottom left of cabinet pictured. then a ball valve after that. The rest I'll work out when it comes lol

 

[Aquajack]

For those of us living in small spaces and unable to tap into the water supply, a 4-stage 50 GPD RODI that fits in a bucket.

View attachment 14344

Excellent but you really need to clean up the cords a bit for a true professional setup