RO system for aquariums same as for home?

jmatt · 12-03-2005, 12:20 PM

I'm having a water softener and an RO water purifier installed in my home (our water is extremely hard, we live in an area of Pennsylvania that is world famous for its limestone and Portland cement).

Are home RO systems the same as fish RO systems? Or do the tank RO systems do things that a standard home system does not? I may as well get one that will work for both applications.

Thanks
John

BoomerD · 12-03-2005, 12:58 PM

They CAN (and usually are) be the same. Most of us have De-Ionizing cartridges installed after the RO membrane to further reduce the TDS of our water. You should be able to "T" off and run a line for aquarium use , either to your garage, or another location. Here are a few schematics from SpectraPure:
http://www.spectrapure.com/support_hud_addons.htm

UnresistibleBlu · 12-03-2005, 09:35 PM

There are a few differences you'll likely see:

Home drinking water systems typically have low capacity membranes (, 50 gpd).

Home dring water systems don't use DI, as Boomer mentioned.

Home drinking water systems include a pressure tank and a post tank GAC cartridge - those are both typically absent from an RO DI system.

jmatt · 12-03-2005, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UnresistibleBlu

There are a few differences you'll likely see:

Home drinking water systems typically have low capacity membranes (, 50 gpd).

I might be able to make that work if I fill drums with the water for a week or so.

Quote:

Home dring water systems don't use DI, as Boomer mentioned.

Hmm, so I can hook up an independent DI filter with a valve and use it for the tank, yes? I have to figure a way to make this work since I'm not gonna buy two RO systems.

Quote:

Home drinking water systems include a pressure tank and a post tank GAC cartridge - those are both typically absent from an RO DI system.

But shouldn't prevent me from using it for both purposes, yes?

Thanks for all the help guys.

Witfull · 12-03-2005, 10:06 PM

i have a home system with kitchen/ice maker RO. then i have a separate RO/DI for the tank. you can add a separate unit elsewhere in the house (basement, garage, laundry room) for stockpiling water easily.

john · 12-03-2005, 11:08 PM

home systems also dont last nearly as long,youl pay mor in the long run and the water quality wont be as good.

UnresistibleBlu · 12-04-2005, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmatt

I might be able to make that work if I fill drums with the water for a week or so.

Right - or, determine the capacity of the membrane you have, and replace the membrane if you'd like - you're only talking about a $45 investment here, and $5 more if you need a new flow restrictor.

Hmm, so I can hook up an independent DI filter with a valve and use it for the tank, yes? I have to figure a way to make this work since I'm not gonna buy two RO systems.

Right - no need for two systems. Put a tee in-line in the tubing between the auto shut off valve and the pressure tank. Put a check valve inline between the tee and the pressure tank to prevent the pressure tank from feeding the DI housing. Run this new line to a stand-alone DI housing. Run a line from the DI to your storage tank.

XBwlr · 12-04-2005, 09:01 AM

Sorry about this, I don't mean to hijack this thread, but, if you already have a 25gpd system, can you put in a 75gpd membrane and increase your output? Or are you stuck with the 25gpd?

BoomerD · 12-04-2005, 02:03 PM

Scott, that will depend on the unit you have. In theory at least, you SHOULD be able to replace the membrane AND flow restrictor to allow you to use the larger output membranes.

XBwlr · 12-04-2005, 04:07 PM

Thanks Boomer.

UnresistibleBlu · 12-04-2005, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoomerD

Scott, that will depend on the unit you have. In theory at least, you SHOULD be able to replace the membrane AND flow restrictor to allow you to use the larger output membranes.

you bet!

BoomerD · 12-04-2005, 06:33 PM

And Buckeye would be one of the first places I'd contact for the necessary parts!

jmatt · 12-04-2005, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john

home systems also dont last nearly as long,youl pay mor in the long run and the water quality wont be as good.

Hmm, so maybe I can do the reverse: use a tank RO to run the house instead of a house RO to run the tank...

jmatt · 12-04-2005, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UnresistibleBlu

replace the membrane if you'd like - you're only talking about a $45 investment here, and $5 more if you need a new flow restrictor.

So, as far as the RO unit is concerned, is the membrane used the only difference (DI considerations aside) between the two?

Quote:

tee in-line in the tubing ... auto shut off valve and the pressure tank... check valve ...

Sheesh, I feel like enrolled in a plumber's correspondence course.

I can see that my plumbing skills are gonna have to improve. I'll check out those Spectrapure pdf's to see if that's a suitable schematic.

AquaFX · 12-05-2005, 09:44 AM

Quick note, the Culligan Folks use proprietary filter sizing, so you HAVE to buy your parts from them....

Easy way around that is to buy a membrane AND housing with quick disconnects, so you change the housing, not just the membrane. IT WILL WORK. Of course make sure you get a new flow restictor too, if you do it the way I suggest, it SHOULD come with one.

Marianne
www.AquaFX.net

12-03-2005, 12:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
jmatt Tubeworm Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 25 View Gallery Karma Komment	RO system for aquariums same as for home? I'm having a water softener and an RO water purifier installed in my home (our water is extremely hard, we live in an area of Pennsylvania that is world famous for its limestone and Portland cement). Are home RO systems the same as fish RO systems? Or do the tank RO systems do things that a standard home system does not? I may as well get one that will work for both applications. Thanks John

12-03-2005, 12:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,638 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: RO system for aquariums same as for home? They CAN (and usually are) be the same. Most of us have De-Ionizing cartridges installed after the RO membrane to further reduce the TDS of our water. You should be able to "T" off and run a line for aquarium use , either to your garage, or another location. Here are a few schematics from SpectraPure: http://www.spectrapure.com/support_hud_addons.htm __________________ Intelligence is not knowing all the answers, but knowing where and how to find them! www.google.com

12-03-2005, 09:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
UnresistibleBlu Tubeworm Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 27 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: RO system for aquariums same as for home? There are a few differences you'll likely see: Home drinking water systems typically have low capacity membranes (, 50 gpd). Home dring water systems don't use DI, as Boomer mentioned. Home drinking water systems include a pressure tank and a post tank GAC cartridge - those are both typically absent from an RO DI system. __________________ www.BuckeyeFieldSupply.com 200g tank w/ SD dsb, ~150 lbs LR, 2 Maxijet 1200, 2 x 400w MH, 2 x 165w act blue; 55g refug. w/ dsb, grape and razor, NO 40w on 12 hrs, Minijet 404; 44g rubbermaid sump.

12-03-2005, 11:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
john Ricordea Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: ohio Posts: 188 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: RO system for aquariums same as for home? home systems also dont last nearly as long,youl pay mor in the long run and the water quality wont be as good.

12-04-2005, 09:01 AM	#8 (permalink)
XBwlr Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Kingston, Ohio Posts: 1,225 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: RO system for aquariums same as for home? Sorry about this, I don't mean to hijack this thread, but, if you already have a 25gpd system, can you put in a 75gpd membrane and increase your output? Or are you stuck with the 25gpd? __________________ -Scott "Do I really look like a guy with a plan?"

12-04-2005, 02:03 PM	#9 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,638 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: RO system for aquariums same as for home? Scott, that will depend on the unit you have. In theory at least, you SHOULD be able to replace the membrane AND flow restrictor to allow you to use the larger output membranes. __________________ Intelligence is not knowing all the answers, but knowing where and how to find them! www.google.com

12-04-2005, 04:07 PM	#10 (permalink)
XBwlr Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Kingston, Ohio Posts: 1,225 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: RO system for aquariums same as for home? Thanks Boomer. __________________ -Scott "Do I really look like a guy with a plan?"

12-04-2005, 06:33 PM	#12 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,638 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: RO system for aquariums same as for home? And Buckeye would be one of the first places I'd contact for the necessary parts! __________________ Intelligence is not knowing all the answers, but knowing where and how to find them! www.google.com

12-05-2005, 09:44 AM	#15 (permalink)
AquaFX Tunicate Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Winter Park, FL Posts: 9 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: RO system for aquariums same as for home? Quick note, the Culligan Folks use proprietary filter sizing, so you HAVE to buy your parts from them.... Easy way around that is to buy a membrane AND housing with quick disconnects, so you change the housing, not just the membrane. IT WILL WORK. Of course make sure you get a new flow restictor too, if you do it the way I suggest, it SHOULD come with one. Marianne www.AquaFX.net

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