Reef tanks and water conservation

[reefes pieces]

Looks like it isn't raining anytime soon and I'm pretty sure everyone's been seeing the traffic alert boards saying "serious drought help save water". The first thing I thought of was my RODI system and how wasteful it is. Thought it would be nice to get some conversation going on what you plan to:

1) do to help save water and money as I'm sure the water bill is gonna skyrocket.

2) Recommendations on affordable RODI systems that are very efficient

3) Anything else that can help conserve water

 

[Usingthejohn]

Buy my water from the LFS.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

 

[solitude127]

I use my "waste water" from my RO/DI to water my planters.

 

[Zoarder]

I'm glad I don't have to pay for water its included in the rental I hate my landlord so yeah... haha

 

[oredith]

i make RO/DI on the weekends when i can be there to monitor the water - i fill up buckets with the waste water and water the plants with it.

 

[SchnitzelReef]

My old setup used to just send waste water down the drain. But I'm gunna run the waste water to my front yard and pop a bunch of holes in it. Hopefully it will water my Palms and front planters. Then I'll cut back the sprinkles wherever the waste ro/di goes.

 

[Usingthejohn]

I'm glad I don't have to pay for water its included in the rental I hate my landlord so yeah... haha

Lol oh man! Subtle "Eff you" right there.

But on a serious note how much did your water use increase after starting up the tank? I would imagine how much water reefers use is but a small fraction of the water used in day to day household activities (laundry, deucing, dishes, showering)

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

 

[Cali4ya]

I use the reject water to water the plants, wash the car and do laundry. I heard if you add another membrane filter it also cuts back on the waste water but not sure if that is true.

 

[Zoarder]

Lol oh man! Subtle "Eff you" right there.

But on a serious note how much did your water use increase after starting up the tank? I would imagine how much water reefers use is but a small fraction of the water used in day to day household activities (laundry, deucing, dishes, showering)

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

I probably do 55 gallons a week when I do WC and maybe 40 gallons for ATO.

 

[oredith]

well, depending on water pressure, we probably use up to 50gal / shower .. >_<

 

[reefes pieces]

I live in a condo and we don't have many plants so nothing to water but using waste water to wash your car is a great idea! i think I'm going to invest on a new RODI system with 2:1 waste ratio. I curently have the regular 90gpd Spectrapure system. Anyone else have the efficient ones?

 

[Reefomeez]

I live in a condo and we don't have many plants so nothing to water but using waste water to wash your car is a great idea! i think I'm going to invest on a new RODI system with 2:1 waste ratio. I curently have the regular 90gpd Spectrapure system. Anyone else have the efficient ones?

You might just be able to add a booster pump and not have to buy the whole RODI again. I too would like a 2:1 RODI.

 

[BeanMachine]

How many of you take 2 minutes showers? I don't know about your wives or girlfriends but mine I swear is in there for 20 minutes everytime...

 

[Azasb]

I don't have this but I'm curious to see if anyone has done the following. Start by having a container where water can be collected before entering the filtration system. Then, after water has been filtered, instead of letting the waste water go into the drain, have that water circulate back to the beginning, into said container. My logic for trying this is the system would lead less use of water, since the only the water that has been filtered would need to be replaced.

 

[oredith]

I don't have this but I'm curious to see if anyone has done the following. Start by having a container where water can be collected before entering the filtration system. Then, after water has been filtered, instead of letting the waste water go into the drain, have that water circulate back to the beginning, into said container. My logic for trying this is the system would lead less use of water, since the only the water that has been filtered would need to be replaced.

it's fine in theory, but the RO/DI system works off the water pressure from the main. you wouldn't be able to just gravity feed the water, which means you'd have to set up a pump that can push out like 60-80psi.

 

[lowbudget]

everyone should have desert landscape. no need to water serious

 

[Assyrian fish guy]

I probably do 55 gallons a week when I do WC and maybe 40 gallons for ATO.

you do 55 gal WC every week? How big is your system?

 

[Vnghost]

Don't the permeate pumps help cut down waste by recirculating water and help increase pressure?

 

[Zoarder]

you do 55 gal WC every week? How big is your system?

About 300 gallons whole system

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk

 

[SchnitzelReef]

OK so I just got off the phone with the place that I buy my RO/DI stuff from. This is what he said

The ro/di units that give a 2:1 ratio will not last as long as the 3:1 units. He said the membrane needs to flush out the crud, and by slowing down the waste water, the crud gets built up in the membrane and will ruin it faster. I also talked to him about adding a booster pump and he said it won't do me any good. I'm getting 70psi at my membrane. He said the booster pump is for people that have 50psi or less at the membrane. He said waste of money. (Mind u this is the owner and u would think that he would want to sell me a booster pump and 2:1 ratio unit). He also said I could add a second inline RO membrane to reduce waste water. BUT he said my tds will likely increase, and I will use up my DI resin faster. He said there is always trade offs with RO membranes. He also told me if I were to go with a 200gpd or higher membrane that my tds would also go up. He told me $60 to add a second RO membrane to my unit, that includes all fittings and valves and what not.

Anyways just thought I'd share the info. Guy seems like he knows what he's talking about. And my ro/di unit works pretty good. I get 4tds after my membrane and my DI resin lasts for months. I changed out my last ro membrane after 2+ years. It was getting me 7tds