How long can you store RO water for?

[Eye H8 Empty V]

So I've got 4 norwesco tanks in my garage. 2 are for the saltwater mixing station, and the other 2 are for emergency water storage. I made 100 gallons of emergency water by bypassing the DI cartridges. How long is this water good for?

Thanks!

 

[trvrstnk4837]

So I've got 4 norwesco tanks in my garage. 2 are for the saltwater mixing station, and the other 2 are for emergency water storage. I made 100 gallons of emergency water by bypassing the DI cartridges. How long is this water good for?

Thanks!

is the container sealed up tight? Does it block all light? Is it indoors? A lot of factors for storing drinking water

how’s your tap water for drinking? While not good for a reef tank alot of the additives that were in the water before you put it through your RO will help with keeping bacteria at bay in long storage

 

[Eye H8 Empty V]

is the container sealed up tight? Does it block all light? Is it indoors? A lot of factors for storing drinking water

how’s your tap water for drinking? While not good for a reef tank alot of the additives that were in the water before you put it through your RO will help with keeping bacteria at bay in long storage

The tank is sealed, it does not block light, it's stored in the garage. See image below.

I have a 3M chlorine filter on our water main coming in. Prior to installing it our water tasted like bleach.

Thanks!

 

[AydenLincoln]

If it’s sealed and in a quality container theoretically indefinitely. Water doesn’t expire or go bad at least it shouldn’t if properly stored but of course there’s various factors. At least a few months and up to a year plus for plain RODI water. Smell is a sign it’s bad due to improper storage or bacteria growth etc. To add to that the water on Earth is billions of years old and water itself can’t go bad or expire it can however go bad from the container.

 

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The tank is sealed, it does not block light, it's stored in the garage. See image below.

I have a 3M chlorine filter on our water main coming in. Prior to installing it our water tasted like bleach.

Thanks!

do those shelves support that filled? 100 gallons 800#.

 

[Eye H8 Empty V]

do those shelves support that filled? 100 gallons 800#.

Each shelf has a 1000lbs capacity. The largest tank is 65 gallons and the tank weighs 27lbs. So that’s only roughly 550lbs if completely full. The 100 gallons is the total between the 35gal and 65gal on the right shelves. Left side is the SW mixing station.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

Light can be an issue, just clip some black out curtains to the shelves.

 

[HankstankXXL750 Verified Sponsor]

Each shelf has a 1000lbs capacity. The largest tank is 65 gallons and the tank weighs 27lbs. So that’s only roughly 550lbs if completely full. The 100 gallons is the total between the 35gal and 65gal on the right shelves. Left side is the SW mixing station.

Good to know. Looking at the picture it appears that the tanks are on the grid. I was just concerned that the weight could bend the grid. If it is working out that is great. I would probably want a couple pieces of 1/4” flat iron under the legs spanning from front to back cross pieces long term. But if you have filled them and it isn’t bowing your probably good.
Looks like a nice setup.

 

[Eye H8 Empty V]

Light can be an issue, just clip some black out curtains to the shelves.

That’s a great idea!

 

[Eye H8 Empty V]

Good to know. Looking at the picture it appears that the tanks are on the grid. I was just concerned that the weight could bend the grid. If it is working out that is great. I would probably want a couple pieces of 1/4” flat iron under the legs spanning from front to back cross pieces long term. But if you have filled them and it isn’t bowing your probably good.
Looks like a nice setup.

I was a little worried about it as well. I was thinking of putting some Baltic birch plywood under them as a base. I filled the bottom right 65gal first and checked for any sagging from the grid and so far so good. I’m going to keep an eye on it. Thanks!

 

[HankstankXXL750 Verified Sponsor]

I was a little worried about it as well. I was thinking of putting some Baltic birch plywood under them as a base. I filled the bottom right 65gal first and checked for any sagging from the grid and so far so good. I’m going to keep an eye on it. Thanks!

I considered plywood as well. Two issues that I see. If the weight does start to sag the grid (and it can happen over time not just immediately) it would probably also sag 3-4” plywood. Being a contractor I walk across plywood and it gives some if supports are too far apart. Also the plywood will be affected if and when it gets wet. Likely in this application.
As long as you are aware and keeping an eye on it you should have enough time to make corrections if necessary.

 

[Jedi1199]

So, like all of your emergency stuff.. you need to check on it frequently. Funny how people forget that. Eveg had a flat tire, gone to change it and realized that the spare that you have never inspected is also flat? (Don't ask me how I know this lol) If it was me, I would dump and replace the emergency drinking water every 8-10 weeks. Small price to pay for something that may save your life one day...

 

[vetteguy53081]

So I've got 4 norwesco tanks in my garage. 2 are for the saltwater mixing station, and the other 2 are for emergency water storage. I made 100 gallons of emergency water by bypassing the DI cartridges. How long is this water good for?

Thanks!

Ive stored as longs as 4 months

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

3/4 marine plywood, House of Lumber, Long Beach or other supplier nearby.
Will spread the load across the whole grate and the glue is waterproof you can even roll some clear urethane for more protection.

 

[Eye H8 Empty V]

So, like all of your emergency stuff.. you need to check on it frequently. Funny how people forget that. Eveg had a flat tire, gone to change it and realized that the spare that you have never inspected is also flat? (Don't ask me how I know this lol) If it was me, I would dump and replace the emergency drinking water every 8-10 weeks. Small price to pay for something that may save your life one day...

We bought a twin axle travel trailer last year that came with a single spare tire. The first thing I did was buy another rim, tire, and 2 tire pressure sensors (came with a system) because you never know!

Good idea to cycle the water ever few months. Cheap insurance right?

 

[Eye H8 Empty V]

3/4 marine plywood, House of Lumber, Long Beach or other supplier nearby.
Will spread the load across the whole grate and the glue is waterproof you can even roll some clear urethane for more protection.

Im with you. Baltic birch is marine grade plywood and super rigid. We moved to TX last year and it’s pretty hard to find. I’ll start calling around.

Thanks!

 

[Eye H8 Empty V]

I considered plywood as well. Two issues that I see. If the weight does start to sag the grid (and it can happen over time not just immediately) it would probably also sag 3-4” plywood. Being a contractor I walk across plywood and it gives some if supports are too far apart. Also the plywood will be affected if and when it gets wet. Likely in this application.
As long as you are aware and keeping an eye on it you should have enough time to make corrections if necessary.

I’m guessing that the rigidity of Baltic birch would alleviate flex. But if it’s not sealed and gets wet it could turn into a skate park half pipe.

 

[Eye H8 Empty V]

So I grabbed some birch plywood and voila 4x2 sheets fit perfect! Wired and finished plumbing everything and making RO water now. I’m ecstatic!

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

So I grabbed some birch plywood and voila 4x2 sheets fit perfect! Wired and finished plumbing everything and making RO water now. I’m ecstatic!

I think that will work better for you. NIce!

 

[newreef1]

I considered plywood as well. Two issues that I see. If the weight does start to sag the grid (and it can happen over time not just immediately) it would probably also sag 3-4” plywood. Being a contractor I walk across plywood and it gives some if supports are too far apart. Also the plywood will be affected if and when it gets wet. Likely in this application.
As long as you are aware and keeping an eye on it you should have enough time to make corrections if necessary.

I may just be weird but if it’s in the garage why not just place all the containers on the floor? If you keep them vertically it seems like the four would fit in less space than the shelves. Then you don’t have to worry about the shelves giving way or the containers ever falling and leaking. Maybe you could add a small pump to keep the water circulating if you want to keep it for long, I feel like still water is a bad idea for long term.