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55 gallon RO tank DIY

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by tharnisch, Mar 21, 2014.

  1. tharnisch

    tharnisch Inactive User

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    I am looking to expand my RO capabilities. I currently just run into 5 gallon bucks but is slow, requires constant checking and difficult if I want to do a 20-30 gallon water change. I have bought a 55 gallon brute commercial trash barrel (2 actually in case I want to eventually connect them. Looking for suggestions on a supply list for a valve and parts to drill into the bottom to quickly fill buckets. I am going to eventually put an auto shutoff RO/DI unit on it to just keep the barrel full automatically. When we buy a new house my hopes are to have a big central sump system in the basement for all the tanks and maybe run an auto top off from the RO tanks to the sump to keep it full. Does this setup seam reasonable for anyone who has done something alike? And what parts do you recommend for my base set up with the fill valve on the bottom. Aquarium sealant to help prevent leaks?
    Going to build a solid lumber stand for my RO barrel tomorrow and hopefully setup barrel to start filling sunday.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 24, 2015
  2. Lee

    Lee Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Here's a pic of my setup with two 55g barrels.


    [​IMG]


    The top barrel is RO/DI and has a float valve installed that is connected to my RO/DI unit so I don't over fill it. I also have another line that runs from the ro/di barrel (top) to my kalkstirrer and then to my sump for automatic top-off using a Litermeter III & float switch.


    The bottom barrel is saltwater. I put the spickets in using a uni-seals. It raised just high enough to fit a 5 gallon buckets underneath. When it gets low I drain the remaining saltwater to a 5 gallon bucket and then mix up the next batch using most all of the RO/DI from the top.


    Uniseals are usually recommeded for curved surfaces such as trashcans/drums. I used a dremel and one of them I think I made the hole just slightly too big as it will 'ocassionally' drip a little from the uniseal. I used the cheap ball valves from Menards but think I might upgrade them to gate valves as they are pretty sticky and it tugs at the uniseal when I open/close them.
     
  3. beckerj3 Expert Reefkeeper Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member

    West Des Moines, IA
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    +615 / 2 / -0

    Nice set-up Lee.
     
  4. tharnisch

    tharnisch Inactive User

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    That's awesome. Exactly what I was look for. How others have done theirs and what they have used. Since we know we are moving in the future I want to start with a simple setup and when we buy our new house worry about a salt mix tank. I just want less to rip apart and move when the time comes [​IMG]
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 24, 2015
  5. Armydog

    Armydog Expert Reefkeeper

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    +738 / 8 / -0
    If I knew how to upload pics from my phone I would but I have something very similar to Lee but with 25g comtainers
     
  6. tharnisch

    tharnisch Inactive User

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    Is it sad that part of my house hunting for our new house involves several requirements based on aquariums? :/ lol. After a year of doing things the way we have I want to eliminate some of the "work" lazy I know. I love maintaining everything. Just want to spend less time watching and carrying buckets and more time enjoying the tanks
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 24, 2015
  7. Lee

    Lee Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Not at all!





    You might get some good ideas from this thread on RC:


    http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/s...ng+station



     

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