Social distancing

[Mark Bradley]

Having recently entered the reefing population I took the lazy decision to buy my water weekly from a LFS. What do I do now that we are in lockdown? Is tap water a workable option? I don’t have an R0 unit - I suppose I could buy one (assuming I can find an online seller) but I understand these things take forever to produce the necessary amount and I’d have to place it outside as don’t have an indoor facility.

Fyi - I have a Reefer 170 and buy 30 litres of saltwater and 20 litres of plain R0 per week.

My tank has gone very well since set up August of last year - please tell me how I can keep things going as well as they have been - very worried.

Thanks in advance.

 

[lilgrounchuck]

Tap is doable with either prime or letting it sit in an open container for 24-48 hours to let the chlorine and whatnot evaporate out (you can also boil it to expedite.) you may wind up with algae issues depending on what else is in your water.
If you can get an rodi unit It really doesn’t take long to make. If you’re doing a 100% it could take all day, but 10-25% is only a few hours. On WC days (Saturday or Sunday) I turn it on in the morning, eat breakfast, get ready for the day, then my 5 gal bucket is full. Add salt, drop in pump an heater then let it mix for a while and take care of other stuff. When it’s done I do the WC. If you knock out other stuff while waiting you won’t notice, but if you’re sitting around, staring at a pot and waiting for it to boil it’ll seem like an eternity.

 

[K7BMG]

Most RO/DI units will produce 75 gallons of product water in a 24 hour period.
So that's what some 280 liters in 24 hours, so in your case that's four or five weeks of water.

Social distancing or not just makes sense to do it yourself.

 

[DanH86]

I have one of these https://www.vyair.com/compact-4-stage-reverse-osmosis-50-gallons-per-day-system.html

next day delivery available, able to use on an outdoor tap too.

then just buy salt, a method to heat and mix and you’re sorted.

 

[Mark Bradley]

Decided to buy a TMC unit - arrives tomorrow. I understand that the water produced can last quite a while but is this only on the basis it has something turning it over? I.e. can I leave it in a sealed container in the garage for any length of time?

 

[reef lover]

As long as its sealed will stay good indefinitely.

 

[K7BMG]

Yes the RO/DI can be stored for a very long time.
Dependent on your salt mix that can also be stored but the duration varies with the mix.

 

[2Wheelsonly]

Decided to buy a TMC unit - arrives tomorrow. I understand that the water produced can last quite a while but is this only on the basis it has something turning it over? I.e. can I leave it in a sealed container in the garage for any length of time?

Keeping it in a container shouldn't be a problem, also remember that there are folks out there that have not changed water in years. Not saying to immediately go this route but you have time to get this RODI stuff built and figured out; i'd go without water changes vs putting tap water into the tank.

 

[Miller535]

Having recently entered the reefing population I took the lazy decision to buy my water weekly from a LFS. What do I do now that we are in lockdown? Is tap water a workable option? I don’t have an R0 unit - I suppose I could buy one (assuming I can find an online seller) but I understand these things take forever to produce the necessary amount and I’d have to place it outside as don’t have an indoor facility.

Fyi - I have a Reefer 170 and buy 30 litres of saltwater and 20 litres of plain R0 per week.

My tank has gone very well since set up August of last year - please tell me how I can keep things going as well as they have been - very worried.

Thanks in advance.

BRS is still shipping, they have this one: 32 in stock

4 Stage Value RO/DI System

BRS 4 Stage RODI Systems are perfect for reefers who have city water treated with chlorine, or relatively clean well water. Self-contained on a single bracket making them ideal for tight spaces or where a non-permanent connection may be required. Every BRS RODI system can be installed within...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

for $149.99. And they are still shipping as normal

 

[Miller535]

And that's 75 gallons per day. plenty for what you need

 

[SDK]

Congrats on making the best of a bad situation! Getting your own RO/DI unit is one of those major steps in the hobby that many wait too long to take.

Both the convenience factor, and having freshly mixed saltwater or RO/DI water handy when something unexpected happens are a huge step up.

You will wonder why you didn't do it on day one...

 

[Miller535]

Congrats on making the best of a bad situation! Getting your own RO/DI unit is one of those major steps in the hobby that many wait too long to take.

Both the convenience factor, and having freshly mixed saltwater or RO/DI water handy when something unexpected happens are a huge step up.

You will wonder why you didn't do it on day one...

For sure. The first few years I used tap water, and ended up with a copper problem in my tank. One of the worst mistakes I have made.

I also do not want to trust and count on any LFS to change their filters and that they are running zero tds. When they may not do so to save a couple of bucks. I know how clean my water is.

 

[Mark Bradley]

Congrats on making the best of a bad situation! Getting your own RO/DI unit is one of those major steps in the hobby that many wait too long to take.

Both the convenience factor, and having freshly mixed saltwater or RO/DI water handy when something unexpected happens are a huge step up.

You will wonder why you didn't do it on day one...

Looks like I’ll have 3 months to get used to the idea I’ll then let you know if I’ve gone back to being lazy!
I’m lucky to have two very good shops on my doorstep when life is normal.

 

[William Mumford]

You can use distilled water from the supermarket. (The supply is limited)I used it for 2 years until this virus scared me into buying a 7 stage for my horrible tap water.

 

[Mark Bradley]

You can use distilled water from the supermarket. (The supply is limited)I used it for 2 years until this virus scared me into buying a 7 stage for my horrible tap water.

I did consider this but the cost associated made the buying of the RO unit more attractive.

 

[Mark Bradley]

the instructions say to never let the RO membrane dry out - but goes on to say it should ideally be used every couple of weeks. If you were to only use it fortnightly how do you keep the membrane wet? Do you remove it and soak in RO? No hint in the instructions.

 

[MTBake]

the instructions say to never let the RO membrane dry out - but goes on to say it should ideally be used every couple of weeks. If you were to only use it fortnightly how do you keep the membrane wet? Do you remove it and soak in RO? No hint in the instructions.

Could install valves on the lines to turn off when not in use. This will keep water in the system from draining out and should keep the membrane wet.

 

[Mark Bradley]

Could install valves on the lines to turn off when not in use. This will keep water in the system from draining out and should keep the membrane wet.

Total ignorance - ‘install valves’ - what would these be please as I would need to order online? Also, this would mean storing the unit outside as I will have to use an outside tap - as we still have cold periods I assume that would not be ideal?

 

[homer1475]

If your membrane is horizontal, and your DI stage is after it. Unless you try to dump the water out of it, the membrane housing remains full of water.

I would not let the unit sit outside and freeze. You'll crack the housings when the water expands, and probably render the membrane useless(not 100% certain on that one, but sounds logical).

 

[GaryM1966]

Total ignorance - ‘install valves’ - what would these be please as I would need to order online? Also, this would mean storing the unit outside as I will have to use an outside tap - as we still have cold periods I assume that would not be ideal?

I loved reading the advice you got about your original question, because its something I've been thinking about also, but I got a couple of drums yesterday from LFS and this should do me while the situation continues and hopefully ends.
But now valves are involved and issues with cold weather, I'm getting scared off the idea now