RODI water

[Reaper_Six_Four]

What’s everyone’s school of thought regarding making their own RODI or purchasing from LFS? I’d like to pick everyone’s brain on what they think on the matter

I’ve been making my own water, but it seems that the waste coupled with time and cost of equipment are pretty significant.

I think it’s also important to factor in the size of the reef tank, frequency of water changes etc.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I use 50 GPD four stage RO Buddie, about $70 from Amazon. I just make 5 gallon batches and then store the unit until I need it again. Given the hassle of lugging water around, it works great for me (nearest LFS is 45 minutes away).

Im on a well, so the rejection water doesn’t really matter, but you can use it for watering plants.


Jay

 

[Reaper_Six_Four]

I use 50 GPD four stage RO Buddie, about $70 from Amazon. I just make 5 gallon batches and then store the unit until I need it again. Given the hassle of lugging water around, it works great for me (nearest LFS is 45 minutes away).

Im on a well, so the rejection water doesn’t really matter, but you can use it for watering plants.


Jay

Great point. That’s a pretty far and costly price for water.

 

[Jekyl]

I use the BRS 5 stage for my 90g. I only change water every few months. Top off happens daily though. Even with a small tank I think I still wouldn't rely on buying the water.

 

[WVNed]

Water weighs 8 pounds per gallon. You have to go and get it. If you cant someone else has to. You have to store it somewhere.
I used Walmart water than comes in 3 gallon boxes and mixed it myself. Once I got beyond 3 boxes a week it became a hassle.
My RODI filter would be paid for in 6 trips to the store in my car.

 

[dschuffert]

I live about 40 minutes from the LFS. For me, it is easier to produce my own. My DT is 90 gallons with a 28-gallon sump. I am also creating water for some additional smaller tanks. All in all, I am producing about 20 gallons a week.

I am on a well for my water source. The well water runs through an Iron removing device and then a water softener before getting to my RO/DI filters. The water coming into the RO/DI system is around 320 TDS, about 4 TDS coming out of the RO filters and going into the DI canisters, then 0 TDS coming out of the DI canisters.

 

[LeftyReefer]

When I first started reefing, I didn't want to spend the money on a RODI and just hauled water from either my LFS or walmart RO machines.. did that for about 6 months then picked up a RODI during a sale. Best decision ever. I would never go back to buying/hauling water again.... unless I only had a super small nano or something.

A home RODI system is the way to go. You will always have water if an emergency pops up.

 

[Reaper_Six_Four]

What about the waste created by it? My 50 gallon waste water constantly overflows.

Any system out there that doesn’t create so my waste?

Also, I seem to burn though membrane pretty fast. Even after initial flushing of system

 

[KStatefan]

It is not waste it is doing the valuable job of removing contaminants from your water.

I would not have started this hobby it I was going to have to haul water.

 

[Reaper_Six_Four]

It is not waste it is doing the valuable job of removing contaminants from your water.

I would not have started this hobby it I was going to have to haul water.

Sorry, waste water.
My system makes RODI and “ waste water” which we use to water plants and stuff. Unfortunately my system creates so much that my “waste” reservoirs over flow.

 

[Biglew11]

an ro/di system was one of the first things I got when getting equipment to set up my tank.

 

[KStatefan]

Sorry, waste water.
My system makes RODI and “ waste water” which we use to water plants and stuff. Unfortunately my system creates so much that my “waste” reservoirs over flow.

Yes I know. What I am saying is that waste water is doing a valuable job.

 

[Reaper_Six_Four]

Yes I know. What I am saying is that waste water is doing a valuable job.

Ah, gotcha.

 

[Auquanut]

My incoming water pressure is awful. After adding a Smart Buddy booster pump, my pressure is 90 psi, my rejection rate went WAY down, and my membrane and DI resin last much longer.

Oh yeah. I'm also making water a whole lot faster. I love this thing!

 

[LeftyReefer]

What about the waste created by it? My 50 gallon waste water constantly overflows.

Any system out there that doesn’t create so my waste?

Also, I seem to burn though membrane pretty fast. Even after initial flushing of system

You can't just run the waste down a drain? That's what I do.
I don't bother catching my waste water. Its such a small amount in our overall use that it isn't worth the hassle. I just route the waste down the drain.

The amount of waste water a system produces is somewhat adjustable by changing the restrictor. Going to a smaller restrictor will produce less waste.
Basically, the cleaner your incoming water, the smaller the restrictor you can use.
If your incoming water has high TDS, you need more water to flush the membrane effectively, so you need to use a larger restrictor.
So if your incoming source water is low in TDS, run a smaller restrictor, which will produce less waste.
if your incoming source water is high in TDS, then you need to run a larger restrictor, which produces more waste.

So if you have low TDS water in coming, then you can set up your RODI to produce less waste than if you are starting with high TDS source water.

My incoming water has a TDS under 100, so I can get by using a smaller restrictor than someone who has higher TDS source water. My system doesn't produce a ton of waste water, but I"m running a much smaller restrictor than most.

 

[Dom]

What’s everyone’s school of thought regarding making their own RODI or purchasing from LFS? I’d like to pick everyone’s brain on what they think on the matter

I’ve been making my own water, but it seems that the waste coupled with time and cost of equipment are pretty significant.

I think it’s also important to factor in the size of the reef tank, frequency of water changes etc.

You never know what you are getting from the LFS.

 

[Reeferadicto]

 

[ComfortRacing]

I was frustrated as well until i upgraded my RODI from 75gpd to 150gpd water saver. Fills faster and i like having RO/DI on hand at all times for my ATO and other tasks i use it for. As far as “waste”, dont let it down the drain. Add another Brute and fill it to use for water plants etc.

i have had & seen people get bad water from LFS that they don't keep an eye on their filters or TDS meters like I do at home.

my advice, the initial purchase is a small price to pay for peace of mind. Hell, it is cheaper than most reef equipment i own!!!

 

[EricR]

I run my RODI waste line to my lawn and just move it around from time to time so, in that sense, it's not wasted.

My LFS is about 15 minutes away and sells RODI water for 25 cents / gallon.
I got BRS 6 stage Plus unit for my birthday from multiple family members.

Price-wise, it'll probably take almost 2 years to pay itself off compared to LFS RODI water but...
Convenience factor alone makes it worth it to me (even if I had bought my own RODI unit instead of getting it as a gift).

*aside -- my LFS RODI water was always 0 TDS (per handheld HM TDS-3 meter) but once I got a batch of 175 !!!
LFS acknowledge the issue and replaced for free but if I hadn't been checking, I would've never noticed and, even with free replacement it was extra hassle to deal with.

...just my perspective

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

What’s everyone’s school of thought regarding making their own RODI or purchasing from LFS? I’d like to pick everyone’s brain on what they think on the matter

I’ve been making my own water, but it seems that the waste coupled with time and cost of equipment are pretty significant.

I think it’s also important to factor in the size of the reef tank, frequency of water changes etc.

Regarding the amount of water "wasted", I can relate to your concern. But consider that wherever you buy your RODI water, someone has filtered it and "wasted" the same amount of water...

If your water pressure isn't high enough, a booster pump might help.