RO and wastewater. How do you do it?

[sbarber]

I am putting the finishing touches on a 300g, still deciding on what direction to go in for livestock. Seems like most people are using RO/DI (or Scripps) but does anyone use straight tap? Water is expensive here in SoCal... how can I justify an 1:1 RO to Waste water?
Still finishing the the tank set up so I haven't seen a water bill yet, just wondering what the damage will be like.

BTW, my water district is Olivenhain.
Your thoughts?

[rtco]

Do like we do. Waste goes so garden, at my parents it goes to their avocado trees. My parents also have a second I set up for them, and we use the waste as pond top off and also water for their waterfall/water feature

-mts

Sent from my Galaxy...Far far away

[Bogg]

Yeah +1 water with it
Ill even save it in buckets to water the house plants
There are higher end units with less waste but there pricey

[rtco]

If ya add an electric booster pump to any existing ro unit, it will produce right around 20% more "ro" water, the higher pressure increases the membranes performance, thus lowering the waste output.

Msx

-mts

Sent from my Galaxy...Far far away

[sbarber]

Ok, I can add an additional storage container for waste water collection and use that for the garden. I just figured since it was way more concentrated then the already questionable tap water it might be borderline toxic. But if works for the trees, thats good enough for me.

[unbereefable]

If you have a 1:1 waste ratio, you're already pretty good. Basic units get about 3.5-4:1

[Goldfish World]

Or this is what i have

https://www.wattspremier.com/product...-Retrofit-Kit-

[JohnnyAirtime]

I am putting the finishing touches on a 300g, still deciding on what direction to go in for livestock. Seems like most people are using RO/DI (or Scripps) but does anyone use straight tap? Water is expensive here in SoCal... how can I justify an 1:1 RO to Waste water?
Still finishing the the tank set up so I haven't seen a water bill yet, just wondering what the damage will be like.

BTW, my water district is Olivenhain.
Your thoughts?

I use two RO membranes to save on waste water.
... but, my waste goes into the sewer. I know... bad on me, as I don't re-use it.

In my world;
RO/DI is used for top off
SCRIPPS for water changes

Being you'll have a 300gal soon (congrats by the way!), water changes will be most affordable by using SCRIPPS... unless the drive is just too far, and the cost of fuel over mixing your own... is a wash. Then of coarse, it's a no-brainer. I top off my 400gal system with about 8gal a week for evaporation. This changes depending on environment, and if I leave my tank lids off for too long. It's as much as 12gal/week or as less as 5gal/week. I'm soon going to netting for lids, rather then solid polycarb... and evap will be even worse. Sump is a 135gal, so it's not like I need to touch it every week.

Tell us more about your build! Have you started a thread about it yet?

[SoCalBoo]

I just throw my waste line onto my lawn when I fill me containers and reservoirs. If the pool is low, I will throw it there.

A second membrane is a worthwhile investment. Make sure you flush it regularly.

[specvjeff]

At my old place I ran it to a planter that had a cherry tree in it. It was at least 6' taller than all the other cherry trees and the only one to produce cherries. In my new place, its hooked up under the sink and the waste line is hooked up to the drain with a saddle. It's just going bye bye.

San Diego Reefs Moderator
SDMAS B.O.D. Member
Sent from my Droid RAZR MAXX using Tapatalk 2

[Bogg]

I just throw my waste line onto my lawn when I fill me containers and reservoirs. If the pool is low, I will NOT throw it there.

A second membrane is a worthwhile investment. Make sure you flush it regularly.

Fixed that for ya!

[sbarber]

I appreciate all the input, now its just a matter of purchasing/installing the RO unit. There was an interesting thread on R2R where people posted pictures of the their water changing stations. Elaborate but efficient setups utilizing plastic trash cans, lots of PVC and plenty of ball valves. I'm planning something like that.
In the meantime, I am gonna put up the pictures from the build. Tank is up and running... no livestock yet.

[davocean]

Here's a link to a site that sells spectrapure's that are refurbs, spectrapure would be my first choice.
The 1:1's are nice, but yeah, pretty pricey, though I suppose in time would work out.
Tap water is great for growing algae and headaches, don't do it!
http://www.spectrapure.com/email/cus...reciation.html

[JohnnyAirtime]

I appreciate all the input, now its just a matter of purchasing/installing the RO unit. There was an interesting thread on R2R where people posted pictures of the their water changing stations. Elaborate but efficient setups utilizing plastic trash cans, lots of PVC and plenty of ball valves. I'm planning something like that.
In the meantime, I am gonna put up the pictures from the build. Tank is up and running... no livestock yet.

Elaborate? ... how elaborate can an RO system be?

I have mine hung on my garage wall, feeding from my washer spigot. Turn on, it dumps into a 45gal container. When full, turn it off. Waste goes into washer drain. Easy peazy.
No PVC, one small valve (on/off), and some RO tubing... wait, I did put two valves in, so I can make RO drinking water (for the wife) and RO/DI water for the tanks. Besides the two TDS meters, and the two flow gauges... it's really pretty darn simple (now that I know how it flows).



I guess everyone has some kind of elaborate system when taking care of a Reef. I try to keep it simple.