DI water

Patriot54 · 10/11/2010, 05:34 PM

I'm wondering if I can use DI water instead of RO water to set up my pico tank. I go to college and have access to as much DI water as I need.

philosophile · 10/11/2010, 05:53 PM

DI water is usually more expensive.... but i you get free DI water, then use it. It should be better than just RO water. RO water can leave 3-8 TDS. DI should be zero. You should check your water source just to be sure the DI filter is working good. And check often. when a DI filter fails, its not a slow progression from 0 to whatever the tap is.... It'll start creeping up a bit ... 1-3 TDS then BAM 300 TDS.

lordofthereef · 10/11/2010, 06:24 PM

FWIW DI water is the more pure water. Most people actually use DI water in this hobby (simple add a DI chamber to their RO), but we tend to call it simply RO (don't ask me why that is). More than likely, the DI water you are aquiring is a product of a similar system.

PurdueWaterGuy · 10/11/2010, 08:52 PM

Stealing college property? Shame on you!

Seriously, be just as careful using DI water from a college or university lab as you would getting water from the LFS. I have seen LOTS of school "DI" water systems that weren't, either due to misconceptions of the quality of the system, or due to lack of proper maintenance.

My water system at work has over $100k worth of on-line test equipment to make sure the water really, really, is DeIonized. Whatcha got on your system?

phhbrown · 10/11/2010, 08:56 PM

I second checking the source before you jump in and start using it.

When I was at the UofA not every lab had a reliable DI water source, so I would say its worth getting a sample checked to be safe.

It would definitely be cool to have a steady source of good water like that.

dtran01 · 10/12/2010, 01:22 AM

i work in a retail pharmacy and there is an RO/DI system installed under the sink. it is hooked up to a dispensing machine that we can punch in a number and it'll spit out exactly that many milliliters of water for reconstitution of powdered suspensions (like amoxicillin).

My manager doesn't mind if i use this water for my tank. How would i go about testing to make sure this water is "good" ?

aleonn · 10/12/2010, 02:19 AM

You can purchase a hand-held TDS meter from one of the RC sponsors.

phhbrown · 10/12/2010, 06:13 PM

Try your local fish shop. Some will test water for you and I would hope a TDS check would be free.

Rockys_Pride · 10/12/2010, 06:17 PM

Don't drink DI water, def check your water before you use it. If you can't get anyone to test for you I think I saw one at Lowes for $30, or buy a zero water pitcher those have a TDS meter with them, TDS water and filtered water for you!

dtran01 · 10/16/2010, 10:42 AM

Will any TDS meter do? some seem to have lots of bells and whistles and are pricey, and others are like 18 bucks shipped.

is it just for the extra features or do they have a sensitivity difference?

bizzarro · 10/18/2010, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtran01

Will any TDS meter do? some seem to have lots of bells and whistles and are pricey, and others are like 18 bucks shipped.

is it just for the extra features or do they have a sensitivity difference?

You're just testing TDS so if you need other features then get it, otherwise the cheaper option should be good enough.

10/11/2010, 05:34 PM	#1
Patriot54 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 727	DI water I'm wondering if I can use DI water instead of RO water to set up my pico tank. I go to college and have access to as much DI water as I need.

10/11/2010, 05:53 PM	#2
philosophile Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,149	DI water is usually more expensive.... but i you get free DI water, then use it. It should be better than just RO water. RO water can leave 3-8 TDS. DI should be zero. You should check your water source just to be sure the DI filter is working good. And check often. when a DI filter fails, its not a slow progression from 0 to whatever the tap is.... It'll start creeping up a bit ... 1-3 TDS then BAM 300 TDS. __________________ 90 gallon mixed reef XPS1000SSS skimmer, 2 radions gen 1, tunze osmolator w/ kalk dispenser, 70 lbs pukani, mp40w x2; 1 tomini, 1 clown 2 mandarins. Vinegar dosing, and micro bubble scrubbing.

10/11/2010, 06:24 PM	#3
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	FWIW DI water is the more pure water. Most people actually use DI water in this hobby (simple add a DI chamber to their RO), but we tend to call it simply RO (don't ask me why that is). More than likely, the DI water you are aquiring is a product of a similar system. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

10/11/2010, 08:52 PM	#4
PurdueWaterGuy Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lafayette, IN Posts: 196	Stealing college property? Shame on you! Seriously, be just as careful using DI water from a college or university lab as you would getting water from the LFS. I have seen LOTS of school "DI" water systems that weren't, either due to misconceptions of the quality of the system, or due to lack of proper maintenance. My water system at work has over $100k worth of on-line test equipment to make sure the water really, really, is DeIonized. Whatcha got on your system? __________________ Tim @ home, 90 gallon tank, dry, waiting for the remodelling to be over @ work, 19,000 gallon per day RO, Electrodeionization, Vacuum Degas, 90 cubic feet DI resin - I love my job! Current Tank Info: dry, kind of dusty :-( Last edited by PurdueWaterGuy; 10/11/2010 at 08:54 PM. Reason: fixed typos, darn dyslexia

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10/11/2010, 08:56 PM	#5
phhbrown Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 59	I second checking the source before you jump in and start using it. When I was at the UofA not every lab had a reliable DI water source, so I would say its worth getting a sample checked to be safe. It would definitely be cool to have a steady source of good water like that.

10/12/2010, 01:22 AM	#6
dtran01 Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 52	i work in a retail pharmacy and there is an RO/DI system installed under the sink. it is hooked up to a dispensing machine that we can punch in a number and it'll spit out exactly that many milliliters of water for reconstitution of powdered suspensions (like amoxicillin). My manager doesn't mind if i use this water for my tank. How would i go about testing to make sure this water is "good" ?

10/12/2010, 02:19 AM	#7
aleonn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 4,041	You can purchase a hand-held TDS meter from one of the RC sponsors.

10/12/2010, 06:13 PM	#8
phhbrown Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 59	Try your local fish shop. Some will test water for you and I would hope a TDS check would be free.

10/12/2010, 06:17 PM	#9
Rockys_Pride Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: colorado Posts: 490	Don't drink DI water, def check your water before you use it. If you can't get anyone to test for you I think I saw one at Lowes for $30, or buy a zero water pitcher those have a TDS meter with them, TDS water and filtered water for you!

10/16/2010, 10:42 AM	#10
dtran01 Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 52	Will any TDS meter do? some seem to have lots of bells and whistles and are pricey, and others are like 18 bucks shipped. is it just for the extra features or do they have a sensitivity difference?