Storing RO/DI water

CarterJ · Nov 21, 2017

how do you all store your ro/di water? I store mine in a 32g Rubbermaid trashcan. After I started having some serious problems in my QT even after large water changes, i started testing my newly made water for ammonia. If it sits more than a day or two, it tests off the charts for ammonia. I’ve been wasting a lot of water lately. I would really appreciate some advice on storming the water longer. Thanks!

Big G · Nov 21, 2017

Here's a pic of my water storage & mixing station out in my garage. I got the tanks through Amazon. They are food grade safe.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 22, 2017

I store mine in 44 gallon Brute containers.

Are you sure the water is 0 ppm TDS and reads no ammonia going into the trash can?

MaiReef · Nov 22, 2017

I agree. I store mine in a 32 gallon Brute for weeks with no problems. Check your TDS before and after the DI as that may be the issue. Keeping up on the carbon filters do matter. Dumb 2 part question, but is the top on the can snapped and is anything getting in there?

CoralWealth · Nov 22, 2017

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rubberm...ck-Round-Trash-Can-with-Lid-2008186/100656030

Is this the one you are talking about? I have been using this for awhile now but I never tested ammonia, now I am wondering about this.

MaiReef · Nov 22, 2017

The Brute is food grade. Not sure if that one is.

CoralWealth · Nov 22, 2017

MaiReef said:
The Brute is food grade. Not sure if that one is.

Okay yeah I see where on it says the brute meets

Meets NSF 2, 21 approval and USDA meat and poultry group listed, ensuring regulatory compliance for food storage and clean ability

The one I have been using says nothing about that, that is a little concerning. I think I am going to go change that out today, no need to risk that over $30

CarterJ · Nov 22, 2017

Thanks for all the replies, you raise some good points. I think the water is good coming out of the filter, but let me double check that today. I’m glad to hear you all can store water a while, means I’m probably just doing something wrong and can hopefully fix it. I’ve got the brute can, honestly not good about snapping the lid down, that would probably help lol

S-t-r-e-t-c-h · Nov 22, 2017

You might need to scrub your water container. Over time, you can get algae, mold and bacteria films that start to impact the water when it sits for a bit. Essentially, they start creating new ecosystems when the water sits.

Life finds a way...

CarterJ · Nov 22, 2017

Just checked a cup full of water straight from the filter hose, 0 tds 0 ammonia. Must be an issue with the can. I have Scrubbed it recently, but i guess i need to repeat. Thanks for the help everyone!

Tallison · Nov 22, 2017

I didn't buy a brute but I originally used a plastic trash can and RO in the can was over 100 TDS. When I switch to Home Depot buckets it read 0-3 ppm

CoralWealth · Nov 22, 2017

what do you guys use to clean your brute cans when you do?

icedgxe · Nov 22, 2017

Big G said:
Here's a pic of my water storage & mixing station out in my garage. I got the tanks through Amazon. They are food grade safe.

Do you have the link or rember how much they were? I want to get one for RO but it’s hard to swallow spending $150-$200 for these containers.

Big G · Nov 22, 2017

icedgxe said:
Do you have the link or rember how much they were? I want to get one for RO but it’s hard to swallow spending $150-$200 for these containers.

Here's the link. And the price includes shipping. Lots of places sell similar tanks, but the shipping costs are crazy. Hope this helps. Cheers!
https://amazon.com/Norwesco-45223-G...1390884&sr=8-3&keywords=Horizontal+water+tank

icedgxe · Nov 22, 2017

Big G said:
Here's the link. And the price includes shipping. Lots of places sell similar tanks, but the shipping costs are crazy. Hope this helps. Cheers!
https://amazon.com/Norwesco-45223-G...1390884&sr=8-3&keywords=Horizontal+water+tank

Thanks! I love me some Amazon!!

FlyinBryan · Nov 22, 2017

codydemmel4 said:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rubberm...ck-Round-Trash-Can-with-Lid-2008186/100656030

Is this the one you are talking about? I have been using this for awhile now but I never tested ammonia, now I am wondering about this.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rubberm...EC-_-mobileweb_search_rr-_-NA-_-100342585-_-N

This is the brute we all use. There’s literally no difference between his and food grade save price. These work really well. I have 3 of them for all my tank and water needs. Also get the rollers if you need to move water from one end to the other like I do!

rcdude · Nov 23, 2017

Good question and i would like to add to the question.... do u guys have a pump in these containers to keep the water just moving?
When I had me 125 I had my water in a brute can but always felt it needed a power head just to have the water moving

What do you guys do/think

Scorpius · Nov 24, 2017

I store my RO/DI in five gallon food grade bpa free plastic buckets from Lowes.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 24, 2017

I do not stir or mix RO/ DI. How I’d clean a Brute can depends on how it looked. If it was clean looking, wiping it around the inside with straight vinegar may suffice and is easily rinsed out.

Anything more dirty and I’d use warm soapy water followed by lots of clean water rinsing. Soap might be as bad as anything in it.