Why so few bladder tanks in reef systems?

dixiedog · 04/01/2010, 08:41 PM

When I first set up my AWI RODI system, it seemed to make sense to incorporate a bladder tank, so I'd have some fresh water on demand.

As time has passed, I've noticed many times that very few people seem to incorporate them into their various water-supply scenarios.

Is there some drawback to using a bladder tank that I'm still unaware of?

tkeracer619 · 04/01/2010, 09:24 PM

It forces water too fast through the DI as far as reef tanks are concerned.

I had a really nice RO system including a 40g vertical fiberglass bladder tank. One day it made a mess and it made that mess really fast.

Since then I have fed my RO faucet off a tee after the second carbon block. I don't need RO on tap and the water tastes great after the 3 filters.

radicaltimes · 04/01/2010, 10:03 PM

If you use the storage tank you put a check valve in the line. This will prevent the water stored in the tank from going through the DI resin. Put a "T" in the RO line out of your membrane. From the "T" have one line go to your DI canister. The other line will need a check valve. Ater the check valve install another "T". One line from this will go the the bladder storage tank. The other line will go to your faucet or refridgerator Ice/Cold water line. You don't need to run your drinking water through the DI canister. Doing it this way will give you a bottled water quality. Most bottled water is just city water run through a RO system

Colin · 04/03/2010, 07:52 AM

I use bladder tanks, along with a permeate pump. I have R/O available at the sink and also have it T'd to go to the DI for aquarium use. I've never had any problems with the water going through the DI too fast, but I use 2x 10" cartridges for my DI. I can't imagine waiting hours just to fill up my 6G topoff jugs.

--Colin

dixiedog · 04/03/2010, 10:09 AM

Yeah, I'm not clear on the too fast thing either. The bladder tank is naturally located 'downstream' from the RODI system, thereby creating resistance against the flow of water. How does this make the water flow faster?

Also, I don't use RODI for anything but reefing - I'm blessed with some amazing well water!

Colin · 04/03/2010, 03:45 PM

They think the pressurized water from the tank flows through the DI too fast for the DI to work effectively.

Again, not my experience with my setup.

--Colin

04/01/2010, 08:41 PM	#1
dixiedog Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Gainesville, Florida Posts: 1,626	Why so few bladder tanks in reef systems? When I first set up my AWI RODI system, it seemed to make sense to incorporate a bladder tank, so I'd have some fresh water on demand. As time has passed, I've noticed many times that very few people seem to incorporate them into their various water-supply scenarios. Is there some drawback to using a bladder tank that I'm still unaware of?

04/01/2010, 09:24 PM	#2
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	It forces water too fast through the DI as far as reef tanks are concerned. I had a really nice RO system including a 40g vertical fiberglass bladder tank. One day it made a mess and it made that mess really fast. Since then I have fed my RO faucet off a tee after the second carbon block. I don't need RO on tap and the water tastes great after the 3 filters. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

04/01/2010, 10:03 PM	#3
radicaltimes Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Columbus, Oh Posts: 274	If you use the storage tank you put a check valve in the line. This will prevent the water stored in the tank from going through the DI resin. Put a "T" in the RO line out of your membrane. From the "T" have one line go to your DI canister. The other line will need a check valve. Ater the check valve install another "T". One line from this will go the the bladder storage tank. The other line will go to your faucet or refridgerator Ice/Cold water line. You don't need to run your drinking water through the DI canister. Doing it this way will give you a bottled water quality. Most bottled water is just city water run through a RO system

04/03/2010, 07:52 AM	#4
Colin Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 848	I use bladder tanks, along with a permeate pump. I have R/O available at the sink and also have it T'd to go to the DI for aquarium use. I've never had any problems with the water going through the DI too fast, but I use 2x 10" cartridges for my DI. I can't imagine waiting hours just to fill up my 6G topoff jugs. --Colin

04/03/2010, 10:09 AM	#5
dixiedog Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Gainesville, Florida Posts: 1,626	Yeah, I'm not clear on the too fast thing either. The bladder tank is naturally located 'downstream' from the RODI system, thereby creating resistance against the flow of water. How does this make the water flow faster? Also, I don't use RODI for anything but reefing - I'm blessed with some amazing well water!

04/03/2010, 03:45 PM	#6
Colin Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 848	They think the pressurized water from the tank flows through the DI too fast for the DI to work effectively. Again, not my experience with my setup. --Colin