RO/DI from Lowes/HD?

dzeadow · 09/27/2007, 06:51 PM

I've run into a pickle here and am probably going to need to get an RO/DI system from one of my local hardware stores as I need water by tomorrow for a shipment and realized that the water stores around here don't sell in bulk (other than 5g jugs for drinking water). So is a unit from Lowes/HD just as good as one bought from one of the sponsors' sites? How long do I have to have it setup before I can use it to cycle some rock that's coming tomorrow? Thanks in advance.

cd77 · 09/27/2007, 07:29 PM

No walmart near by? Some grocery stores also sell RODI, and LFS will usually carry premixed SW. If this is for your 45g cube, 9 5G bottles might be worth hauling to give you time to compare different models before making a purchase -- this is coming from someone who later found out his RODI unit was junk. Even if you bought a nice 100 GPD unit, you'll need to flush the cartidges first and discard the first 5 or so gallons, then you'll need a ~11 hours to fill your tank, not including premixing the SW -- which should ideally be aerated for a day IMO before using.

As for your second question, once you've got the water in it at the right temp and salinity is good I think you're good to go with placing the LS/LR to get your cycle going.

dzeadow · 09/27/2007, 07:44 PM

I didn't realize that WalMart even had the water we could use? I have a Super WalMart just down the road from me. Do I need to bring my own containers or is it the kind I would buy in the jug?

bertoni · 09/27/2007, 07:45 PM

The units from HD and similar stores often use smaller canisters and proprietary cartridges. They'll be more expensive over the long run, but they'll probably work well.

cd77 · 09/27/2007, 07:52 PM

Call them first to make sure they have RODI -- I don't know if all do. I'm not sure how they sell it -- again, ask them that when you call. Having a few 5 gallon buckets around for your tank is always good anyways for water changes / mixing sw, etc.. if you don't already have them.. and if it's right down the road I'd just make a few trips if they require you to use your own container.

FWIW, here are a couple units I was recommend by a vet here:
http://www.thefilterguys.biz/ro_di_systems.htm (Ocean Reef model)
http://www.azseabottom.com/ROMAXCAP.html
http://www.buckeyefieldsupply.com/sh...ry=168&Sub=166

Jocephus · 09/27/2007, 08:21 PM

Are you CYCLING, or CURING? Have you checked your tap water? The water you cure rock with is going to go to crap quickly anyway. Cure your rock with tap water, fill your display with RODI

dzeadow · 09/27/2007, 08:25 PM

Well, both I guess. I bought some lace rock while down in NV last week and I was going to put that in a rubbermaid tub with the live rock I'm getting tomorrow and let it cycle/cure so I can get the other rock filled with beneficial bacteria.. I just haven't had time recently to get my tank a stand and up and running so I thought this would do the trick in the mean time.. possibly put my t5's over the tub and have them on for a few hours a day..??

Duff Man · 09/27/2007, 08:39 PM

Like jocephus says check your tap water. If you plan on keeping a reef tank or one with inverts, don't cure it in tap that has copper in it. The rock will absorb the copper and may leach it out over time. I believe that live rock will absorb copper like a sponge.

cd77 · 09/27/2007, 08:45 PM

I didn't know you could cure LR with tap water..

Here is a guide for curing from liveaquaria.com: http://www.liveaquaria.com/general/g...ral_pagesid=31

I don't think you'll need the lighting over your tub. There is probably nothing photosynthetic on it you'll need to be concerned with and you want to prevent algae too..

flinka · 09/27/2007, 09:02 PM

Look for the distilled water in one gallon jugs at WalMart - purple tops. About $0.64/gallon or so.

Also, I have an RODI system from Buckeye Field Supply. It works great.

dzeadow · 09/28/2007, 06:38 AM

Thanks for everyone's help. I think I'll get the Wallyworld water to start with and get myself a decent ro/di system ordered up here. I live in Montana so I unfortunately don't have an LFS anywhere near me (closest is almost 2hrs away) and everything else is hard to find unless mail ordered. I'm hoping to get my tank cycled out and ready for a few fish before the winter hits otherwise I'll be looking at cool rocks for 6 months!

09/27/2007, 06:51 PM	#1
dzeadow Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bozeman, MT Posts: 2,589	RO/DI from Lowes/HD? I've run into a pickle here and am probably going to need to get an RO/DI system from one of my local hardware stores as I need water by tomorrow for a shipment and realized that the water stores around here don't sell in bulk (other than 5g jugs for drinking water). So is a unit from Lowes/HD just as good as one bought from one of the sponsors' sites? How long do I have to have it setup before I can use it to cycle some rock that's coming tomorrow? Thanks in advance.

09/27/2007, 07:29 PM	#2
cd77 Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Fishers, IN, USA Posts: 1,169	No walmart near by? Some grocery stores also sell RODI, and LFS will usually carry premixed SW. If this is for your 45g cube, 9 5G bottles might be worth hauling to give you time to compare different models before making a purchase -- this is coming from someone who later found out his RODI unit was junk. Even if you bought a nice 100 GPD unit, you'll need to flush the cartidges first and discard the first 5 or so gallons, then you'll need a ~11 hours to fill your tank, not including premixing the SW -- which should ideally be aerated for a day IMO before using. As for your second question, once you've got the water in it at the right temp and salinity is good I think you're good to go with placing the LS/LR to get your cycle going. __________________ -Chris Current Tank Info: 70G Reef (Aug 2007), 45G Reef (Dec 2007)

09/27/2007, 07:44 PM	#3
dzeadow Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bozeman, MT Posts: 2,589	I didn't realize that WalMart even had the water we could use? I have a Super WalMart just down the road from me. Do I need to bring my own containers or is it the kind I would buy in the jug? __________________ - Danny Current Tank Info: Dual 50 Breeder system, 30g custom sump/fuge, MSX200, Tank1-6x24T5 retro, Tank2-4x39T5 retro

09/27/2007, 07:45 PM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	The units from HD and similar stores often use smaller canisters and proprietary cartridges. They'll be more expensive over the long run, but they'll probably work well. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

09/27/2007, 07:52 PM	#5
cd77 Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Fishers, IN, USA Posts: 1,169	Call them first to make sure they have RODI -- I don't know if all do. I'm not sure how they sell it -- again, ask them that when you call. Having a few 5 gallon buckets around for your tank is always good anyways for water changes / mixing sw, etc.. if you don't already have them.. and if it's right down the road I'd just make a few trips if they require you to use your own container. FWIW, here are a couple units I was recommend by a vet here: http://www.thefilterguys.biz/ro_di_systems.htm (Ocean Reef model) http://www.azseabottom.com/ROMAXCAP.html http://www.buckeyefieldsupply.com/sh...ry=168&Sub=166 __________________ -Chris Current Tank Info: 70G Reef (Aug 2007), 45G Reef (Dec 2007)

09/27/2007, 08:21 PM	#6
Jocephus Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Dover, DE Posts: 995	Are you CYCLING, or CURING? Have you checked your tap water? The water you cure rock with is going to go to crap quickly anyway. Cure your rock with tap water, fill your display with RODI

09/27/2007, 08:25 PM	#7
dzeadow Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bozeman, MT Posts: 2,589	Well, both I guess. I bought some lace rock while down in NV last week and I was going to put that in a rubbermaid tub with the live rock I'm getting tomorrow and let it cycle/cure so I can get the other rock filled with beneficial bacteria.. I just haven't had time recently to get my tank a stand and up and running so I thought this would do the trick in the mean time.. possibly put my t5's over the tub and have them on for a few hours a day..?? __________________ - Danny Current Tank Info: Dual 50 Breeder system, 30g custom sump/fuge, MSX200, Tank1-6x24T5 retro, Tank2-4x39T5 retro

09/27/2007, 08:39 PM	#8
Duff Man Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Chicago's far NW burbs Posts: 629	Like jocephus says check your tap water. If you plan on keeping a reef tank or one with inverts, don't cure it in tap that has copper in it. The rock will absorb the copper and may leach it out over time. I believe that live rock will absorb copper like a sponge.

09/27/2007, 08:45 PM	#9
cd77 Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Fishers, IN, USA Posts: 1,169	I didn't know you could cure LR with tap water.. Here is a guide for curing from liveaquaria.com: http://www.liveaquaria.com/general/g...ral_pagesid=31 I don't think you'll need the lighting over your tub. There is probably nothing photosynthetic on it you'll need to be concerned with and you want to prevent algae too.. __________________ -Chris Current Tank Info: 70G Reef (Aug 2007), 45G Reef (Dec 2007)

09/27/2007, 09:02 PM	#10
flinka Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 149	Look for the distilled water in one gallon jugs at WalMart - purple tops. About $0.64/gallon or so. Also, I have an RODI system from Buckeye Field Supply. It works great.

09/28/2007, 06:38 AM	#11
dzeadow Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bozeman, MT Posts: 2,589	Thanks for everyone's help. I think I'll get the Wallyworld water to start with and get myself a decent ro/di system ordered up here. I live in Montana so I unfortunately don't have an LFS anywhere near me (closest is almost 2hrs away) and everything else is hard to find unless mail ordered. I'm hoping to get my tank cycled out and ready for a few fish before the winter hits otherwise I'll be looking at cool rocks for 6 months! __________________ - Danny Current Tank Info: Dual 50 Breeder system, 30g custom sump/fuge, MSX200, Tank1-6x24T5 retro, Tank2-4x39T5 retro