Water Mixing and Storage Questions

[MonkeyBoy]

Hi,

I'm in the process of setting up a 10 gallon nano reef (no choice
about size do to sever space and power limitations).

I have a RO/DI filter. My question is, is it safe to store the
filtered and salt prepared water in a regular plastic container like
those plastic red ones used for storing gasoline? (Obviously a new one
which has been also washed). I'm wondering if there's any issues with
chemicals in the plastic leaching into the water. Also, is it okay to
store this water for a while, like a week or more, and do I need to
aerate it?

Also, my filter has a charcoal filter stage. Does this remove all the
chlorine and chloramine in the water, or do I need to add a
neutralizer after the water is filtered and mixed?

Regards,

MB

[Toni]

"MonkeyBoy" > wrote in message >
> I have a RO/DI filter. My question is, is it safe to store the
> filtered and salt prepared water in a regular plastic container like
> those plastic red ones used for storing gasoline? (Obviously a new one
> which has been also washed). I'm wondering if there's any issues with
> chemicals in the plastic leaching into the water. Also, is it okay to
> store this water for a while, like a week or more, and do I need to
> aerate it?
>

Yes- there are leaching issues. You can test this by storing water for a
period of time and then testing with a TDS meter.
Most of us just opt to use "food safe" containers- the "Brute" line of
Rubbermaid garbage cans being the most popular.
And I do recommend keeping the water moving either with a small powerhead or
a pump driven airstone.


> Also, my filter has a charcoal filter stage. Does this remove all the
> chlorine and chloramine in the water, or do I need to add a
> neutralizer after the water is filtered and mixed?

I add nothing but salt mix to my RO/DI water.


--
Toni
http://www.cearbhaill.com/reef.htm

[Martin Streicher]

I'd like to draw RO water as needed to do things like top off
evaporated water and change the water. Is there an RO system that
connects, say, to a garden hose and would allow me to produce RO when I
needed it? How long does it take to produce a gallon of RO? Is it near
instantaneous as the water goes through the RO unit?




On 2004-08-30 05:53:08 -0400, "Toni" > said:

>
> "MonkeyBoy" > wrote in message >
>> I have a RO/DI filter. My question is, is it safe to store the
>> filtered and salt prepared water in a regular plastic container like
>> those plastic red ones used for storing gasoline? (Obviously a new one
>> which has been also washed). I'm wondering if there's any issues with
>> chemicals in the plastic leaching into the water. Also, is it okay to
>> store this water for a while, like a week or more, and do I need to
>> aerate it?
>>
>
> Yes- there are leaching issues. You can test this by storing water for a
> period of time and then testing with a TDS meter.
> Most of us just opt to use "food safe" containers- the "Brute" line of
> Rubbermaid garbage cans being the most popular.
> And I do recommend keeping the water moving either with a small powerhead or
> a pump driven airstone.
>
>
>> Also, my filter has a charcoal filter stage. Does this remove all the
>> chlorine and chloramine in the water, or do I need to add a
>> neutralizer after the water is filtered and mixed?
>
> I add nothing but salt mix to my RO/DI water.

[MonkeyBoy]

"Toni" > wrote in message >...
> "MonkeyBoy" > wrote in message >
> > I have a RO/DI filter. My question is, is it safe to store the
> > filtered and salt prepared water in a regular plastic container like
> > those plastic red ones used for storing gasoline? (Obviously a new one
> > which has been also washed). I'm wondering if there's any issues with
> > chemicals in the plastic leaching into the water. Also, is it okay to
> > store this water for a while, like a week or more, and do I need to
> > aerate it?
> >
>
> Yes- there are leaching issues. You can test this by storing water for a
> period of time and then testing with a TDS meter.
> Most of us just opt to use "food safe" containers- the "Brute" line of
> Rubbermaid garbage cans being the most popular.
> And I do recommend keeping the water moving either with a small powerhead or
> a pump driven airstone.
>
>
> > Also, my filter has a charcoal filter stage. Does this remove all the
> > chlorine and chloramine in the water, or do I need to add a
> > neutralizer after the water is filtered and mixed?
>
> I add nothing but salt mix to my RO/DI water.


Hi Toni,

Thanks for the info. I'm glad I asked!

As for the water conditioner, does it hurt to use it even if all or
most of the chlorine/chloramine has been removed by the filtration
process already?

Regards,

MB

[Toni]

"MonkeyBoy" > wrote in message
>
> As for the water conditioner, does it hurt to use it even if all or
> most of the chlorine/chloramine has been removed by the filtration
> process already?



As far as reef tanks go, I would *never add anything* unless I have a very
clear and necessary reason to do so.

Substances have a way of building up and the creatures we keep are very
sensitive to anything not normally encountered in their natural environment.
This is why we are using RO/DI water to begin with!


--
Toni
http://www.cearbhaill.com/reef.htm

[CapFusion]

"Martin Streicher" > wrote in message
news:2004083019062216807%supergiantrobot@NOSPAMncr rcom...
>
>
> I'd like to draw RO water as needed to do things like top off
> evaporated water and change the water. Is there an RO system that
> connects, say, to a garden hose and would allow me to produce RO when I
> needed it? How long does it take to produce a gallon of RO? Is it near
> instantaneous as the water goes through the RO unit?
>

Your question is about topping with RO to your tank. Alot of Reefer do this
but I recommend you to have a large holding Jug [5 or so gallon] or
FoodGrade container. Have this container higher level then your tank / sump
to gravity feed as the level of the target tank / sump / etc drop.

Feeding off of RO may introduce backlish of nutrient from it first product
water. Unless you have made a preemptive measure to counteract this.

CapFusion,....