Questions about Small RO Units

swampdarter · 07/02/2015, 08:04 AM

Hello everyone, long-time no-see!

I have a 29 gallon Coralife Biocube and am sick of driving 45 minutes to the closest fish store for saltwater. I have to admit that there have been times where I have used tap-water during emergencies at home to mix saltwater. Therefore, I am looking at small RO units.

I like to do approximately 5-gallon water changes per week, and most RO units that I have looked at put out far more water than I can contain. Are there RO units that I can safely unplug and store for use once-per-week? That may be weird to hear, but I can only store about a maximum of 20 gallons at a time.

Also, I will need one that I can attach to a regular sink faucet. I am limited in space and options

Any advice and/or recommendations?

I appreciate it!

zachfishman · 07/02/2015, 08:57 AM

I only use my 5 stage 75gpd BRS once a week for ~10 gallons. Works fine for that purpose.

swampdarter · 07/02/2015, 09:34 AM

Can I just unhook it from the faucet and drain it without any problems, or should I worry about the membranes drying out and becoming damaged? If the membranes are sensitive to drying, is there a way to safely keep water in the unit until it is used again (once per week)?

Thank you!

Gagonzalez · 07/02/2015, 09:51 AM

I use a 5 stage 24gpd unit with a 5g tank for drinking water that I ran an extra Coralife DI Canister to and make 5g a week for my 28g Nano

PS - I hate how slow it makes water though so when I move into a house I will be either upgrading or buying another unit that makes at least 90gpd.

Vinny Kreyling · 07/02/2015, 09:58 AM

If you are worried about a drying membrane I would just use a John Guest shut off valve on both sides of the unit to hold water inside.

zachfishman · 07/02/2015, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinny kreyling

if you are worried about a drying membrane i would just use a john guest shut off valve on both sides of the unit to hold water inside.

+1

skeeter_ca · 07/02/2015, 11:07 AM

If you drive 45 minutes to get saltwater what do you do for your freshwater top off?

You can get an adapter to hook to your kitchen faucet and just get small john guest valves to shut it off on both sides and not leak water everywhere when you store it away. And the membrane will be fine as long as you don't let the water drain out.

skeeter

swampdarter · 07/02/2015, 01:33 PM

I talked to a guy at Bulk Reef Supply and he suggested a 4-stage system that does 75GPD. It attaches to the sink and has a shut-off valve near that part. So I think that it will work. If it does not have a valve on the output I can add one.

Does anyone have a BRS 4 Stage Value Plus RO/DI System - 75GPD? If so, do you like it? Any complaints?

Thanks everyone!

jayball · 07/02/2015, 03:08 PM

I have the regular 75 gallon value and no complaints. I have it mounted under my bathroom sink.

07/02/2015, 08:04 AM	#1
swampdarter Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Arkansas, USA Posts: 22	Questions about Small RO Units Hello everyone, long-time no-see! I have a 29 gallon Coralife Biocube and am sick of driving 45 minutes to the closest fish store for saltwater. I have to admit that there have been times where I have used tap-water during emergencies at home to mix saltwater. Therefore, I am looking at small RO units. I like to do approximately 5-gallon water changes per week, and most RO units that I have looked at put out far more water than I can contain. Are there RO units that I can safely unplug and store for use once-per-week? That may be weird to hear, but I can only store about a maximum of 20 gallons at a time. Also, I will need one that I can attach to a regular sink faucet. I am limited in space and options Any advice and/or recommendations? I appreciate it!

07/02/2015, 08:57 AM	#2
zachfishman Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: St Petersburg, FL Posts: 3,577	I only use my 5 stage 75gpd BRS once a week for ~10 gallons. Works fine for that purpose. __________________ Patience is a reefer's best tool. Secret Xenia lover. M.S. Marine Biology Staff - Marine Discovery Center, St. Petersburg FL Tampa Bay Reef Club BOD 2018 Current Tank Info: 34g modded Solana

07/02/2015, 09:51 AM	#4
Gagonzalez Reef Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 703	I use a 5 stage 24gpd unit with a 5g tank for drinking water that I ran an extra Coralife DI Canister to and make 5g a week for my 28g Nano PS - I hate how slow it makes water though so when I move into a house I will be either upgrading or buying another unit that makes at least 90gpd. __________________ George Current Tank Info: JBJ 28g Nano / Aquamaxx HOB-1 / TLF 150 with GFO/ Vortech MP10QD / JBJ ATO / In-Tank Basket / AI Hydra26

07/02/2015, 09:58 AM	#5
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	If you are worried about a drying membrane I would just use a John Guest shut off valve on both sides of the unit to hold water inside. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

07/02/2015, 11:07 AM	#7
skeeter_ca Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,007	If you drive 45 minutes to get saltwater what do you do for your freshwater top off? You can get an adapter to hook to your kitchen faucet and just get small john guest valves to shut it off on both sides and not leak water everywhere when you store it away. And the membrane will be fine as long as you don't let the water drain out. skeeter __________________ skeeter - It is easier to ask for forgiveness than premission. My motto to my wife. Current Tank Info: 75rr,6"dsb,refugium,auto top-off & semi-auto water changer, OM squirt. 4 MJs 1200, Started on 03/03/06

07/02/2015, 09:34 AM	#3
swampdarter Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Arkansas, USA Posts: 22	Can I just unhook it from the faucet and drain it without any problems, or should I worry about the membranes drying out and becoming damaged? If the membranes are sensitive to drying, is there a way to safely keep water in the unit until it is used again (once per week)? Thank you!

07/02/2015, 01:33 PM	#8
swampdarter Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Arkansas, USA Posts: 22	I talked to a guy at Bulk Reef Supply and he suggested a 4-stage system that does 75GPD. It attaches to the sink and has a shut-off valve near that part. So I think that it will work. If it does not have a valve on the output I can add one. Does anyone have a BRS 4 Stage Value Plus RO/DI System - 75GPD? If so, do you like it? Any complaints? Thanks everyone!

07/02/2015, 03:08 PM	#9
jayball Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,671	Questions about Small RO Units I have the regular 75 gallon value and no complaints. I have it mounted under my bathroom sink.