Storing RODI Water - How I did it

[pelphrey]

I picked up the Ace Roto 40 gallon vertical container off Rural Kings website ( http://www.ruralking.com/ace-roto-mold-40-gallon-vertical-dome-top-tank-vt0040-18.html ). It took just under 4 weeks to receive and the best part is this shipping was about $10 dollars. This will be used to store RODI water only. I don't have any plans to store salt water.

The 65 and 75 gallon ship for free!

http://www.ruralking.com/ace-roto-mold-65-gallon-vertical-dome-top-vt0065-23.html

http://www.ruralking.com/ace-roto-mold-75-gallon-vertical-flat-top-tank-vt0075-23.html

I used a marker to go over the gallon indicators on the container so that they are more visible

Container comes with the bulk head. I used 3/4 threaded fitting into 3/4 pvc glued into the ball valve. The PVC and 90 past the ball valve are not glued on to eliminate someone walking into it and snapping it off.

 

[smokin'reefer]

Would you need to put an air stone or a pump to circulate the water.? So that it doesn't wind up growing any bacteria or whatever else might happen to stagnant water.

 

[AZDesertRat]

I store RO/DI for 6 months or more and have never once had any water quality issues. Keep it sealed or capped and away from temperature extremes and bright direct lighting and it keeps almost forever.

 

[smokin'reefer]

Thanks, I have been wanting to ask this for a while. I usually go ahead and throw an AirStone in my water anyway. I guess it's an old habit from my hydroponic days.

 

[pelphrey]

This is in my garage that is not climate controlled. I've been keeping 20-30 gallons of water in buckets for the last year without any issues. I'm currently replacing about 4 gallons of water a week due to evaporation and weekly 5 gallon water changes. I'll be getting a slightly bigger tank soon so this 40 gallon container will last me +- 1 month.

 

[AZDesertRat]

When you aerate the water you add TDS from contaminants in the air. I don't aerate or heat until I mix up a batch for a water change. The ATO amounts are so small aeration or heating isn't needed.

 

[smokin'reefer]

Thanks for the info. I'm going to work on fine tuning rodi processes and procedures. I like that 40 gal res. Seems like a perfect size.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

When you aerate the water you add TDS from contaminants in the air. I don't aerate or heat until I mix up a batch for a water change. The ATO amounts are so small aeration or heating isn't needed.

So you don't have a pump circulating the water? Just sitting?

 

[josh.j.avila]

Any plans to add a float valve and rodi tube inlet?

 

[melev]

What is the benefit of having only RO/DI water stored? Obviously top off, but having a batch of saltwater ready and circulating is great when you need saltwater.

I do like the containers and the shipping rate is awesome!

 

[1000_smiles]

Thanks for posting this. I have wanted a couple of these for awhile, but shipping was prohibitive.

 

[josh.j.avila]

What is the benefit of having only RO/DI water stored? Obviously top off, but having a batch of saltwater ready and circulating is great when you need saltwater.

I do like the containers and the shipping rate is awesome!

I would like both. I use different amount of salts for different breeding tanks I have.

 

[AZDesertRat]

I find mixed saltwater takes on a real musty smell after a few days and starts to precipitate out calcium so I don't mix it until I need it. With 50-60 gallons of RO/DI stored at all times I can have a Rubbermaid ready in 20 minutes or less. If the temperature, salinity and pH are close it gets used right away.

 

[pelphrey]

Any plans to add a float valve and rodi tube inlet?

I do have a float valve but I won't be adding it to this container. I have my RODI in the laundry room about 20 feet away and I unhook the washer when I make RODI water. I could use a Y adapter, but I prefer the security knowing it isn't hooked up. If the RODI was located in the garage I would add the float, but I don't want built of pressure inside the house. I ordered about 30 feet of mur-lock months back, it is just long enough to reach from the RODI to the container so I need to order about 50 feet. Once I do that I will permantely mount the line on the wall next to the ceiling. I haven't decided if I want to drill through the wall into the garage or not. I don't want moisture to become a problem inside the walls.

What is the benefit of having only RO/DI water stored? Obviously top off, but having a batch of saltwater ready and circulating is great when you need saltwater.

I do like the containers and the shipping rate is awesome!

I've been storing 30ish gallons of RODI in buckets for a year now. You can image this takes up a lot of room in the garage, with the new container I gain back some real estate. I currently have a 20 gallon tank, will be buying the Red Sea Reefer 250 during the next BRS group buy so having the 40 gallons will be more beneficial. I don't have any power outlets along this wall so I would have to run an extension cord over if I wanted to store salt water, and this may very well become an option down the road. If that is the case I'll get the 65 gallon container for RODI and store salt water in the 40. 40 gallons of salt water would give me a months worth of water changes once I get the new tank.

 

[pelphrey]

I find mixed saltwater takes on a real musty smell after a few days and starts to precipitate out calcium so I don't mix it until I need it. With 50-60 gallons of RO/DI stored at all times I can have a Rubbermaid ready in 20 minutes or less. If the temperature, salinity and pH are close it gets used right away.

This is my initial plan. I'll probably pickup a 20 or 32 gallon brute container for water changes. I can simply keep the brute upside down on my 40 gallon container when I am not mixing salt water. I would have gone with brute trash cans for water storage, but I wanted the smaller foot print. Like you I am only mixing salt water when I do water changes, currently with the warm weather this makes it easier since the water is warm from the garage.

The second reason I went this route is the fact that the lid for this container has a gasket so it is sealed. You can cover the brute trash cans, but it isn't exactly sealed off.

 

[donnievaz]

I find mixed saltwater takes on a real musty smell after a few days and starts to precipitate out calcium so I don't mix it until I need it. With 50-60 gallons of RO/DI stored at all times I can have a Rubbermaid ready in 20 minutes or less. If the temperature, salinity and pH are close it gets used right away.

I stopped mixing and storing mine for that very reason. I mix it as I need it the day before now letting it heat up and aerate overnight.

 

[pelphrey]

Hooking up my booster pump will be a priority within the next few weeks. I've spent the last 3 nights running my RODI a few hours each night. The pressure from the 30' of mur-lok hasn't been an issue. I'm getting a great steady flow. I'll be ordering more line soon so I can run it permanently.

For anyone curious I am using the Spectrapure 90gpd RODI.

 

[Sir Chris]

I find mixed saltwater takes on a real musty smell after a few days and starts to precipitate out calcium so I don't mix it until I need it. With 50-60 gallons of RO/DI stored at all times I can have a Rubbermaid ready in 20 minutes or less. If the temperature, salinity and pH are close it gets used right away.

Anything past 3 days I've lost a lot of cal mag and alk. So mix with a few hrs in advanced and I use a bubble stone as well for airation and check salinity

 

[Neptune1707]

I got a couple 35g brute plastic garbage cans....work ok, but I like these tanks you found. I use one to fill will RO/DI the other for mixing salt. I did a real simple PVC connection can to can with a pump in the RO/DI can to pump into empty can. I agree if you pre-mix salt and let it sit for a week or so until you get around to a water change tends to get musty. Also kinda noticed that with RO/DI too...but I'm circulating with a pump, figure that would keep it from getting musty. Finding that covered can once it's full....it's fine with no pump. Once I turn the ball valve and pump into the empty can, add a heater and circulation pump to mix salt. I just kinda hate my return pump. Since my set up is in the basement....gotta pump almost 100 feet upstairs to my tank in living room. It's ok, but still fussing with refining it. First time I did water change it took me over an hour. Got it down to about 30 min now. This is all in a new house we had built. I regret I didn't pull the trigger on having the plumber install a "drain & fill" junction on the tank wall.....so with a flip of a switch, old water goes to sewer, and new saltwater is pushed into tank. Oh well.....we had enough upgrades going for the house LOL

 

[mardoon]

I am using Rubbermaid trash can