DanSReef
Member
So I am tired of paying the LFS for Pre-Mix Salt ($1.60 per gallon) and Fresh RO/DI water ($1.00 per gallon)… at roughly 20-30 gals of usage a week…getting water from them is eating away at money I could be spending on frags and fish…. :smack: … So I am creating a new RO / DI System here at my house. I would love to get some insights from everyone as I plan and build my new system.
Here is my plan:
I have not yet purchased a RO /DI system but am looking at an RD150 Aquarium 100 gallon per day RO + 2DI system from Filter Direct… Filter Direct Online Store (C) . I can build a system with all of the components (Float Valve, Tap, High Volume DI and TDS monitor) that I am looking for at a reasonable price….~$210.00… If anyone has experience with Filter Direct or has any other suggestions on systems… please let me know.
I am setting up a series of two 45 gallon Rubbermaid black trashcans with flip lids connected in series with white PVC pipe and a series of ball valves to allow me to fill both cans simultaneously and also to isolate one can for salt mix and the other for RO/DI fresh water. I am going to install all of the above in my basement near my furnace and water heaters on a slightly elevated platform made or 2x4’s and plywood. This gives good access to a water source, a floor drain and somewhat constant temperature. By elevating off the floor I can use gravity to feed water from either tank into transport jugs. I also plan on installing an aquarium heater and circulation pump in each of the cans.
This system will not only support my two reef systems but also my neighbor who has a 90 gal reef and is as addicted as I am to the hobby.
So, any thoughts, ideas and suggestions as I continue to tweak my design and plan to build out the system next weekend? Of course, I will share costs and pictures as the project progresses. Right now I am estimating a total cost of materials / system of roughly $300 with potential payback 4-5 weeks worth of premix…between the two of us…
Here is my plan:
I have not yet purchased a RO /DI system but am looking at an RD150 Aquarium 100 gallon per day RO + 2DI system from Filter Direct… Filter Direct Online Store (C) . I can build a system with all of the components (Float Valve, Tap, High Volume DI and TDS monitor) that I am looking for at a reasonable price….~$210.00… If anyone has experience with Filter Direct or has any other suggestions on systems… please let me know.
I am setting up a series of two 45 gallon Rubbermaid black trashcans with flip lids connected in series with white PVC pipe and a series of ball valves to allow me to fill both cans simultaneously and also to isolate one can for salt mix and the other for RO/DI fresh water. I am going to install all of the above in my basement near my furnace and water heaters on a slightly elevated platform made or 2x4’s and plywood. This gives good access to a water source, a floor drain and somewhat constant temperature. By elevating off the floor I can use gravity to feed water from either tank into transport jugs. I also plan on installing an aquarium heater and circulation pump in each of the cans.
This system will not only support my two reef systems but also my neighbor who has a 90 gal reef and is as addicted as I am to the hobby.
So, any thoughts, ideas and suggestions as I continue to tweak my design and plan to build out the system next weekend? Of course, I will share costs and pictures as the project progresses. Right now I am estimating a total cost of materials / system of roughly $300 with potential payback 4-5 weeks worth of premix…between the two of us…