Storing RO/DI...how do you do it???

[ballvice]

So,

I have more tanks than I have cents (this is what some kid said behind my back at the local fish store a while back...I wanted to tell him he looked like most of his cents went towards his drug habbit) (GRIN)....and I am getting tired of filling 5 gallon jugs of RO/DI every other day...

I have read quite a few threads on RO/DI storage in Tupperware Trash Cans...but also read that they are made from recycled materials, and they can contribute to Phosphate problems.

I am looking for feedback...

How do you store your RO/DI? Do you put a power head in there for circulation?

My thoughts were to find some sort of 35-50 gallon container that I could put on rollers and put a bulkhead with T-valve on for filling up 5 gallon containers. Let me hear from the masses....what has worked for you????

THANKS!

[Casey]

I use a usda food grade 55 gal blue container no powerhead just a heater in there.

[ballvice]

Where did you pick it up? I would love to get one..is it mobile? or fixed in one location?


F

[ballvice]

Here is a source...I'll keep looking...but these are USDA approved.

Frank

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW

[VWD]

I have been using rubbermaid roughneck, I am pretty sure they are very safe, If I found out that they are not I think I will get something else. That one off e-bay looks very nice, maybe I can get something like that local.




Vince

[ballvice]

YEah....I started thinking..Tractor supply probably has something similar...as would habour freight and northern tool and equipment. I may actually check home depot too..I think I remember seeing these as "Sprayer's."

The rough-neck scares me a little because of a post I read a while back on phosphates.

Frank

[tims]

Frank you might try usplastic.com i think that is there site . i order their stuff for work. usally pretty cheap and you can put RO in them with no problem , just ordered a 60 gallon for work, boss said i can order oen to if i want one

[Casey]

I dont remember where online I got it just do a google search .It is fixed no wheels I pump from it.

[irish reefer]

I keep mine in a Brute 35 gal. food grade trashcan. It comes with casters so you can roll it anywhere. You can get it from home depot. I have two, one for saltwater changes and one for make up water. I keep a heater and powerhead in them. I use to keep my water in a rubbermaid from kmart and got a hair algae breakout like crazy. I finally changed my holding can to the Brute and it went away in about a month. I was told the regular rubbermaid tubs could leach phosphates. hth.....Tina

[jennmac415]

I keep my RO/DI water in a 35 Brute trash can also. Then I just pump it out to a 5 gallon bucket to fill up my water top-off and to do water changes. Should I be keeping a heater and powerhead in there???

Jenni

[Casey]

Jenni powerhead is not needed but heater would be nice so it matchs tank temp

[ballvice]

So I took the plunge...Just went out and got the "food grade" brute 44G from Home Depot with the casters and the lid...I am making 40G's of RO/DI as we speak.... I will keep an eye on the Algea...first sign of any and I am punting (or getting a phosphate removal system).

THANKS ALL!!!!!!!!

Frank

[rachyl756]

We're in the process (aka I'm stopping at TSC coompany tomorrow) of going wih the 35 gallon storage tanks like the ones in the above link.

They have a nice big hole in the top you can drop a heater or powerhead in, PLUS they have a spout (well a spout once you thow a cheep ball valve onto the opening) We're making a stand for them, so the spouts will be just above 5 gallon bucket height, so one for Salt water, one for RO/DI water and one for just RO water. Since in another month I'm going to need 3 types of water, I figure I need something alot better than misc buckets hanging out downstairs.

[irish reefer]

jennmac415, I keep a powerhead in there because I keep the water for weeks and I want to keep it aerated, and of course a heater to keep it the same temp as my tank. I know it wont get stagnate in a short time period but I dont want to take chances. Tina

[tdwyatt]

http://www.rcpworksmarter.com/rcp/pr...75&rcpNum=2609

I test the water after two weeks in the containers without any circulation, small increases in TDS at about day 10, prolly bacteria capable of fixing nutrients from the dissolved gasses in the water. I would use the water until day ten (heh, not a problem here...), then empty the container and clean it with a little diluted Clorox (tsp. per quart), and allow it to air dry for 24 hrs. That should do the trick.


BTW, no phosphates or other known testables in the water after 7 days storage, I have had the 5 I have for several years (all on wheels), and keep a Mag 5 with a 1" diameter flexible hose on it for working the RO and the ASW, but I do not keep a mixer in the storage container for the RO top off (but I can empty it in under three days with evaporation replacements.) Currently I have one with around 80 lbs of live rock and ASW and a Mag 5, one with Ro/DI,One (empty at the moment) to make ASW, one for Waste water from water changes, and one for husbandry days where I siphon rock, etc You need to either search the bottom of your siphon barrel or use some type of sieve for all your water when you are siphoning rock and the sump, I sometimes can't believe how many critters get sucked up like this.


HTH