Sometimes smaller is better...

[ArcKatana]

Especially when I'm trying to fill 150G with RO/DI and I'm only getting 3 gallons per hour on a 150GPD unit....

I've been tempted to fill the remainder with tap so it can get started on the cycle.

I won't as this is a test of a small scale coral setup, but sheesh low pressure blows!

 

[Cment]

yeah, the best $100 I ever spent was when I got a booster pump....made a world of difference.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

You should be getting more what than that per hour from that system. You should probably troubleshoot that issue.

I have to admit, I use tap to fill the tanks to cycle...

 

[Elementalj]

I did previously. Now my top off is purely distilled.

 

[ArcKatana]

You should be getting more what than that per hour from that system. You should probably troubleshoot that issue.

I have to admit, I use tap to fill the tanks to cycle...

It's the water pressure. I'm not expecting 100% (i.e. 150GPD) but 80% should be doable. Total I've had it running is about 15 hours and I'm only 50ish gallons complete.

 

[Webslinger]

Nothing good happens in this hobby fast. You'll be sorry in the long run if you take shortcuts.

 

[Elementalj]

That's the plain truth.

 

[Untamedrose]

Just by the math you should be be gettin 6.2 gals an hour. but ya.....you likely need a larger RO unit.
What happens when you have a water change emergancy....and Have to do a 20-50% change ...NOW.

 

[bknapp]

Double post.

 

[bknapp]

As mentioned by @Cment (even though hes a Blackhawks fan, hes right) getting a booster pump will fix your issue, will help save water and make your filters last longer. Its a tough pill to swallow but you'll be glad you did. I just recently moved and when I went to start making water to fill my tank it took almost 5 hours to make five gallons, not acceptable. Now making good 0 TDS water is a breeze. Get a booster pump.

 

[azbigjohn]

yeah, the best $100 I ever spent was when I got a booster pump....made a world of difference.

I have to agree there. I have pretty low water pressure, and really high TDS tap water. Adding a booster pump increased my production dramatically, and I'm told it helps my filters last longer, but, as I added it a month after I bought the RODI system, I can't vouch for that part of it.

I'm just curious, if 150 gallons is a "small scale" project, what do you consider "normal"?

 

[ArcKatana]

I'm just curious, if 150 gallons is a "small scale" project, what do you consider "normal"?

It's more of a proof of concept type a thing. I.e. if I can get adequate results this way (and if it would give the same results if I scaled up) it might be worth getting more set up. Failing that I've got another idea I'm dying to try out that is even cheaper in upfront cost, and bigger sq footage. I'd need to build a few new stands is all.

 

[ArcKatana]

Just about there! Another hour and I should be good to go. I turned the RO/DI off when I went to bed, and on again when I got up this morning. So it ran roughly 32 hours and made 130ish gallons of water. Not great, but better than the 3GPH I was averaging at the start. (Added rock/sand/gravel this afternoon, so water levels went up)