Water Storage Reservoir Setup

Sparty00 · 07/06/2007, 06:50 AM

I want to setup two storage units for Top-Off and Salt Mixing water.

Currently have 1 Brute container and a RO/DI unit that I use for salt water mixing which is in basement. I have a separate 5 gallon bucket I fill up and use to top-off that I carry upstairs.

My goal is to have both containers filled by RO unit, and setup an auto topoff unit which will fill from container downstairs to tank above using a pump. Instead of manually switching the RO unit to fill each container separately, I would prefer to have my RO unit automatically fill each container.

I have purchased one Float and automatic shutoff valve kit for my RO unit, and I need to purchase a second container for my top-off water (Any recommendations)?

Question......

Can I have my RO unit fill both containers and automatically shutoff using a single float valve or do I need two of them?

Is anyone else using RO to fill both containers automatically if so do you have pic's of setup?

MeuserReef · 07/06/2007, 07:42 AM

Heres what I would do:
-Put a "T" after the RO unit but before the buckets.
-Put one line into the fresh water bucket and one in the salt bucket.
-Put a float switch in each bucket
-Put a solenoid valve before the RO unit and have on a timer. This way, you control how long the RO can run each day. This will reduce the chances of a flood as well as prevent your RO unit from cycling on and off as much, saving your filters.

coast2coast7390 · 07/06/2007, 10:21 AM

youre going to need a really big pump to pump it all the way up stairs

henryjd · 07/06/2007, 11:58 AM

Sparty,
I did basically the same thing.
I have a 32 gallon trash can in the basement for saltwater and a 5 gallon bucket for RO/DI water.
My RO/DI has a float switch installed in the side of the bucket. That keeps the bucket full at all times. I have a top-off switch in my sump upstairs. When the sump needs water, the relay energizes a Mag5 pump which sends RO/DI water up to the sump using 1/4" icemaker tubing.
The tubing from the RO/DI to the floatswitch has a valve in it that branches the tubing into the saltwater trashcan. To make it work I open the valve and then scoop with a plastic cup water out fo the 5 gallon bucket into the trashcan until the float switch turns on. Since the water is going into the trashcan, the float stays open until. About 6" below the top of the trashcan I have 1/4" bulkhead with a line that goes into the top of the 5 gallon bucket. When the water in the trashcan reaches 6" from the top, the water overflows into the 5 gallon bucket via the 1/4 line and shuts down the float switch.
When it is time for a water change, I use a Mag12 and a garden hose to move the saltwater upstairs from the basement.

Sparty00 · 07/06/2007, 12:22 PM

Thanks Henry !

So you have the float switch in the 5 gallon bucket, or trash can?

You use only one float switch correct?

Thanks again !

Sparty00 · 07/06/2007, 12:24 PM

One more thing...as far as the distance, it is about 8ft from the tank to the basement where the RO unit is.

henryjd · 07/06/2007, 12:50 PM

Sparty,
You can use two float switches which is probably better but I was trying to save $, so I only use one and let gravity help. the float is in the 5 gallon bucket.
My basement has high ceiling and I have to go up through the living room wall and I poked the tubing out of hole in the telephone jack plate, so I am going up about 13 feet. The Mag5 just barely gets the water up to the sump but I had it and didn't want to waste my Mag12 for that. Reducing the outflow from 1/2" to 1/4" is probably not great for the pump.

jdellman · 07/06/2007, 08:58 PM

Sparty,

I have a T on the RO output line, one side goes to the trash can in the basement for mixing, and the other line goes directly upstairs to the ATO bucket. No pump needed, no pails, etc.

The line going upstairs has a shut-off on it, so when I want to fill the mixing can, I shut off the water that goes upstairs. The ATO bucket has an auto shut off valve. It works great.

HTH

Jim

07/06/2007, 06:50 AM	#1
Sparty00 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Rochester, MI Posts: 272	Water Storage Reservoir Setup I want to setup two storage units for Top-Off and Salt Mixing water. Currently have 1 Brute container and a RO/DI unit that I use for salt water mixing which is in basement. I have a separate 5 gallon bucket I fill up and use to top-off that I carry upstairs. My goal is to have both containers filled by RO unit, and setup an auto topoff unit which will fill from container downstairs to tank above using a pump. Instead of manually switching the RO unit to fill each container separately, I would prefer to have my RO unit automatically fill each container. I have purchased one Float and automatic shutoff valve kit for my RO unit, and I need to purchase a second container for my top-off water (Any recommendations)? Question...... Can I have my RO unit fill both containers and automatically shutoff using a single float valve or do I need two of them? Is anyone else using RO to fill both containers automatically if so do you have pic's of setup?

07/06/2007, 07:42 AM	#2
MeuserReef Welcome to the next level Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2,412	Heres what I would do: -Put a "T" after the RO unit but before the buckets. -Put one line into the fresh water bucket and one in the salt bucket. -Put a float switch in each bucket -Put a solenoid valve before the RO unit and have on a timer. This way, you control how long the RO can run each day. This will reduce the chances of a flood as well as prevent your RO unit from cycling on and off as much, saving your filters. __________________ "Never be afraid to do something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the titanic." -Anonymous Current Tank Info: tankless

07/06/2007, 10:21 AM	#3
coast2coast7390 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Garden Grove Posts: 3,627	youre going to need a really big pump to pump it all the way up stairs

07/06/2007, 11:58 AM	#4
henryjd Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 106	Sparty, I did basically the same thing. I have a 32 gallon trash can in the basement for saltwater and a 5 gallon bucket for RO/DI water. My RO/DI has a float switch installed in the side of the bucket. That keeps the bucket full at all times. I have a top-off switch in my sump upstairs. When the sump needs water, the relay energizes a Mag5 pump which sends RO/DI water up to the sump using 1/4" icemaker tubing. The tubing from the RO/DI to the floatswitch has a valve in it that branches the tubing into the saltwater trashcan. To make it work I open the valve and then scoop with a plastic cup water out fo the 5 gallon bucket into the trashcan until the float switch turns on. Since the water is going into the trashcan, the float stays open until. About 6" below the top of the trashcan I have 1/4" bulkhead with a line that goes into the top of the 5 gallon bucket. When the water in the trashcan reaches 6" from the top, the water overflows into the 5 gallon bucket via the 1/4 line and shuts down the float switch. When it is time for a water change, I use a Mag12 and a garden hose to move the saltwater upstairs from the basement.

07/06/2007, 12:22 PM	#5
Sparty00 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Rochester, MI Posts: 272	Thanks Henry ! So you have the float switch in the 5 gallon bucket, or trash can? You use only one float switch correct? Thanks again !

07/06/2007, 12:24 PM	#6
Sparty00 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Rochester, MI Posts: 272	One more thing...as far as the distance, it is about 8ft from the tank to the basement where the RO unit is.

07/06/2007, 12:50 PM	#7
henryjd Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 106	Sparty, You can use two float switches which is probably better but I was trying to save $, so I only use one and let gravity help. the float is in the 5 gallon bucket. My basement has high ceiling and I have to go up through the living room wall and I poked the tubing out of hole in the telephone jack plate, so I am going up about 13 feet. The Mag5 just barely gets the water up to the sump but I had it and didn't want to waste my Mag12 for that. Reducing the outflow from 1/2" to 1/4" is probably not great for the pump.

07/06/2007, 08:58 PM	#8
jdellman Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 577	Sparty, I have a T on the RO output line, one side goes to the trash can in the basement for mixing, and the other line goes directly upstairs to the ATO bucket. No pump needed, no pails, etc. The line going upstairs has a shut-off on it, so when I want to fill the mixing can, I shut off the water that goes upstairs. The ATO bucket has an auto shut off valve. It works great. HTH Jim