Beginner-RODI

[Lizzybxi]

Im 18 and still live at home right now. I use the bathroom to do water changes but the RODI system is too big to store in the bathroom. I wanted to set it up in the garage. Do i need to make new fresh water everytime i do a water change or can i make it ahead of time and store it in jugs. Sorry if the question is dumb im doing some research since im new to saltwater. Thanks.

 

[Jamesrup0411]

You can make it ahead of time, I store mine in a brute can with a heater

 

[Mical]

Not a dumb question at all. Many of us pre make fresh saltwater and/or RODI top off water in advance, it's one of the few luxuries in this hobby where you don't/won't have to wait.

 

[redfishbluefish]

First off, welcome to R2R. #WelcometoR2R

As stated, there are no dumb question here. We've all been in your shoes not knowing what's up. So ask away, and if you wish to attract a special group of folks that can help, simply include #reefsquad , and they will be notified of that post.

To answer your question, yes, storing water is just fine . Many of use use Brute (Rubbermaid) trash cans to store and make saltwater, but many other types of containers are possible. I know many small tank people who use 5 gallon buckets. Pretty much anything made with polyethylene (HDPE or LDPE, Recylce 2 or 4, respectively) would be reef safe.

Other plastics are reef safe as well. I make my water in five gallon drinking jugs and then use them to dump into a 32 gallon Brute to make saltwater, and also feed my ATO (Automatic Top Off) reservoir, which looks similar to a water cooler dispenser.

One more thing with your RO/DI unit....you mentioned moving it to the garage.....you didn't mention where you lived, but if it's in an area that has freezing temperatures, don't make water when it's freezing or leave it in the garage when not using it. If it freezes, those canisters pop off from the expanding ice easily.


So ask away with any other questions you might have, and again, WELCOME!

 

[Billldg]

Agree with others, their is such thing as a dumb question. I store mine in 32 gal brute trash cans as well, I put a pump and heater in their to help circulate the water and keep the temp up to match my DT.

 

[Peace River]

Welcome to R2R!!! In addition to using Brute storage containers, when I need something that is more portable I also use 7 gallon blue water jugs that can often be found at swimming pool stores. Good luck!

 

[SPR1968]

As already confirmed your fine to store RODI water, so Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[Idoc]

I also make my RODI water ahead of time and store in a Brute container.

 

[crusso1993]

Im 18 and still live at home right now. I use the bathroom to do water changes but the RODI system is too big to store in the bathroom. I wanted to set it up in the garage. Do i need to make new fresh water everytime i do a water change or can i make it ahead of time and store it in jugs. Sorry if the question is dumb im doing some research since im new to saltwater. Thanks.

As has been mentioned, there is no such thing as a dumb question @Lizzybxi !

I cannot add much to the great replies you've already received. As you go along, you'll probably discover there are often a number of different solutions to questions. One of the very cool things is that you can choose whatever works best for you or even design your own and share them.

More importantly, however, is you'll discover that some of us are crazy for fish. Some of us are crazy for coral. Some of us are crazy for fish and coral. But all of us are a little bit crazy!
Welcome to R2R!

 

[RobW]

Im 18 and still live at home right now. I use the bathroom to do water changes but the RODI system is too big to store in the bathroom. I wanted to set it up in the garage. Do i need to make new fresh water everytime i do a water change or can i make it ahead of time and store it in jugs. Sorry if the question is dumb im doing some research since im new to saltwater. Thanks.

Welcome to the hobby! No questions are stupid questions. That's how we learn. How much water are you trying to store ahead of time? You might want to look into getting a Rubbermaid Brute trash can with a lid from your local home depot or lowe's. Or you can look online at a place called plastic-mart.com. they have all types of water storage containers from very small to massive. Norwesco makes very nice holding tanks. You could have 2 of them. 1 for premixed saltwater and one for fresh ro/di. Just size them according to the size of your tank. That way you have enough premixed saltwater to do water changes and plenty of fresh to do your daily water top off.

 

[Lizzybxi]

Thanks @redfishbluefish. I live in New Jersey so the winters are cold was worried about the temperature The automatic top off is such a cool and smart idea! Thanks so much

 

[Lizzybxi]

Thanks so much everyone who replied definetly feel better about starting a saltwater tank now

 

[redfishbluefish]

Living in NJ, definitely do no leave in the garage. A friend had an attached two car garage and thought the residual heat from the house would protect the garage from freezing. Came out and found all three filter cartridge housings on the floor, broken off close to the threads. Had to buy a new unit.

 

[stacksoner]

Search this site for "mixing stations" and youll see how people here store and prepare water