Ro System

[elisew]

I`m sorry if I`ve posted in the wrong place but after losing yet another one of my Apistos yesterday I`m really fed up so I went to MA and spoke to the chap who specialises with the Rams and Apistos. He confirmed one of the suspicions I and hubby have had for a while, also another member suggested that our water is probably just too hard for me to keep Rams and Apistos successfully. The result is that I have now bought an RO system, got it all hooked up to run it in for approx 12-24 hours. I also bought a 200L water to keep the RO water in.
The chap at MA did say that the down side to using such a system is that a lot of water gets wasted compared to how much water can actually be produced for the tank, he wasn`t joking!! The tap has been going for ages yet there`s only a small amount of water in the water butt

Is there anyway of getting the system to run faster or is it just a case of 'that`s the way it is'? I would also like to ask if I need to use a dechlorinator with RO water?
The guy did explain that it`s best to introduce the RO water gradually until I can get to the point of 75% RO and 25% tap water, does this sound ok?

 

[the biffster]

I`m sorry if I`ve posted in the wrong place but after losing yet another one of my Apistos yesterday I`m really fed up so I went to MA and spoke to the chap who specialises with the Rams and Apistos. He confirmed one of the suspicions I and hubby have had for a while, also another member suggested that our water is probably just too hard for me to keep Rams and Apistos successfully. The result is that I have now bought an RO system, got it all hooked up to run it in for approx 12-24 hours. I also bought a 200L water to keep the RO water in.
The chap at MA did say that the down side to using such a system is that a lot of water gets wasted compared to how much water can actually be produced for the tank, he wasn`t joking!! The tap has been going for ages yet there`s only a small amount of water in the water butt

Is there anyway of getting the system to run faster or is it just a case of 'that`s the way it is'? I would also like to ask if I need to use a dechlorinator with RO water?
The guy did explain that it`s best to introduce the RO water gradually until I can get to the point of 75% RO and 25% tap water, does this sound ok?

i would use the dechlorinator just on the tap water
yes it sounds about Right 25/75 tap water RO mix
it is fairly slow but the waste don't throw away store
and use it for watering the garden and house plants
and stuff like that hope this helps

i would of thought at least 50gpd

 

[BigC]

The LFS advice sounds fine, Depends on a couple of things why your system isnt running fast, bare in mind these things dont run fast anyhow unless you get into industrial systems. one reason for the slow output is the size of your system the other is the pressure of your domestic water supply.
Whilst you can get an RO pump to assist with the pressure (if its low) Dont go forcing too high of water volume through a small system otherwise you'll damage the membrane. It would help to know what system you bought & does it have an in-line pressure gauge.
Also make sure your taps arnt set to flush and are in production mode.

 

[elisew]

Thanks for the replies.

This is the system I got today, no pressure gauge:
http/www.fishkeeper.co.uk/Prodshowroomdetails.aspx?id=192

It`s connected to my outside tap in the garden which is turned on about half way so hopefully that`s not too much, the general pressure here is quite high tho

 

[BigC]

Hi,
Pretty standard looking system, but it would need to be running at full pressure.... Have you got a washing machine (There's a reason for this question)

 

[elisew]

Hi,
Pretty standard looking system, but it would need to be running at full pressure.... Have you got a washing machine (There's a reason for this question)

Ok so outside tap needs to be on full?

Yes I do have a washing machine

 

[BigC]

Ok If I were you I'd ditch the outside tap and go to RO-Man
and purchase one of these
http/www.ro-man.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=40&products_id=136
and one of these
http/www.ro-man.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=40&products_id=52
and a few of these
http/www.ro-man.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=286_65&products_id=44
Turn off the mains to your washing machine cold inlet (Blue tap) and attach the "Y" piece to it (use plumbers tape for a good seal) screw your washing machine back into one side of the "Y" screw the tap connector to the other "Y" branch (again using plumbers tape) and connect the RO pipe to the Tap connector and then up to your RO unit. Fit a Ball valve (inline)to inlet side so you can turn the unit on and off as need be.
This will let you run at full pressure and be able to turn the system off when you dont need it.
Provided you followed all of the above turn the blue mains tap back on
Now check your flowrate.
Incidentally if your wanting to achieve specific water values I would suggest purchasing a TDS meter.
I hope this helps
Regards
C

 

[elisew]

Thank you very much BigC, I`ll have a word with hubby when I get chance and get him to look at your post and recommendation, it`ll be up to him to sort it all out

I`m not looking at specific water values, I`d just like to soften the water so that it`s a better environment for my fish, who are quite probably suffering from the hardness of the tap water. I will post back and let you know how it goes

 

[BigC]

No problem Elise. I use this method for my softwater Killifish, It works, no leaks.

I`m not looking at specific water values

but you will need to know where your at. as diverse swings in parameters will also have a detremental effect on your livestock something you are trying to address by going down the RO route in the first place
All the best with your fish
Regards
C

 

[Vin Swords]

you can even soften your water with sera blck water extract...(?)..

and the tint will go away in few hours..

 

[elisew]

No problem Elise. I use this method for my softwater Killifish, It works, no leaks.

I`m not looking at specific water values

but you will need to know where your at. as diverse swings in parameters will also have a detremental effect on your livestock something you are trying to address by going down the RO route in the first place
All the best with your fish
Regards
C

Was intending on getting myself a GH - KH test kit so I have some idea of what`s what. Although I have the API liquid kit I never bothered going anyfurther with testing the hardness of my water as I already knew it was hard water (if that makes sense?)

I really am very green around the gills when it comes to starting/using something new with the aquarium but usually once I start the reading and 'hands on' learning I tend to pick it all up ok.
Hopefully I`ll grasp the whole RO concept and do things right for the fish, if not then I know a great bunch of people who I can call on for advice