Ro/Di Reservoir with ATO?

[Woodstock]

Help! I need some help figuring out the best way to set up an ATO reservoir using a 1/4" feed directly from my ro/di unit.


For YEARS I have been using a 10 gallon kalkwasser reservoir that is hooked up to my dual float valve ATO in my sump. It works fabulous but I am tired of hand pouring 2 buckets of kalkwasser into the reservoir every 2-3 days Also, because I will be moving to the 'balling method' I can stop using the kalkwasser all together.


I'm not sure how this will work...
I would like for the new ro/di reservoir (about 5 gallons) to have two switches. One switch near the bottom that triggers the ro/di on and one switch near the top that will turn off the ro/di. This should create a longer duration with the ro/di ON.... maybe on for an hour every other day. This is important because I do not want the ro/di unit switching on/off for short periods all day long as since that damages the membrane.
From this ro/di reservoir, I will have my current ATO installed to keep the sump's level constant.

Any ideas????

[Frankie]

Here is how i top off my reservoir Doni. I hope this helps a little. I don't trust float valves so i still use ball valves and control it all manually. I have the float valves there for "encase i forget situations".
First this is the line from the sink to the RO/DI unit, I use the ball valve to turn it on and fill the reservoir. This i can leave open and trust the float valve to cut the flow off when done. I try and keep it off if the reservoir has water in it.

Here i keep my unit below the reservoir on this shelf for easy access. It then is plumbed up to the reservoir.

The reservoir has a float valve inside at the top. The output to the sump is on the bottom.

I run a line to the sump but interrupt the line with a ball valve and control my top off manually every night. There is another float valve inside the sump encase i forget. Technically i could just leave all the valves open and let the tank auto top off without ever having to move water. But i trust the ball valve methods more after reading all the horror stories like Oregon Reef had.

[BarbMazz]

Wow, Frankie, that is really nice. I'm trying to figure out a nice, organized way to do ATO myself, and I want to do mine straight from RO/DI if possible, too. I have to study this when I'm more awake!

Another thing that catches my eye is how clean and neat everything is kept. An excellent example for me to follow, so thanks for posting these pictures.

[Woodstock]

An explanation AND photos! Thank you so much Frankie

[tbittner]

Hi Doni,

Have you read this thread? It's full of a lot of really good ideas and it seems to really minimize the possibility of a failure if not completely eliminate them.

[Woodstock]

Originally Posted by tbittner

Hi Doni,

Have you read this thread? It's full of a lot of really good ideas and it seems to really minimize the possibility of a failure if not completely eliminate them.

Just did. Thanks!

[cioutlaw]

Doni I have mine directly to the display tank. 1 thing I do for overflow prevention & to keep the RO from cycling all day is put the solenoids on a timer so it can only run for an hour a day. I normally feed at the same time every day & have the timer set for the hour beforehand so that I remember to look at the tubing to make sure the RO has stopped & the sump is full.

[JoJo]

i've always been confused by RO plumbing. i see others are feeding a ATO resevior & a SW mix tub off of the same RO line, but cant figure out completely. anyone have a set up like this & have pics? sorry for the hijack doni

[Woodstock]

Thanks Cioutlaw. The timer is a great idea.

Jojo - you can put a "T" valve after the ro/di and run one line to your saltwater reservoir and the other to your ATO reservoir. You would of course need to have a selenoid (either electronical or mechanical one) installed as well as a 'one way valve' installed just after the membrane to preven back flow. Inside the reservoir, you will need to install a float valve which stops the incoming water when the float rises.
Most online reefing stores sell the auto shut off supplies as a package.

[JoJo]

thanks Doni. you are against float valves because they run the unit too much right? i'd like to follow your method of 2 valves, what type will you be using?