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Hey guys, I apologize in advance if this is a long post..
Story-time: With the responses to my last post asking where to purchase pH meter buffers, I visited a hydroponic store near my house. I had the intention of just grabbing some buffers and leaving, so I left my girlfriend in the running car so she could watch over my dog.. they weren't out there long, because it turns out the place was dog friendly and had beer in the store! He would give you free beer if you purchased the pint glass from him..
So after walking around the store chatting with the guy, I notice an RO water system sitting on the ground outside of the box.. turns out it was the system he was using in the store for his plants for about a year, and had recently upgraded to a larger system.. offered me $100 for a Hydro-Logic 31040 200-GPD
Stealth-RO200 Reverse Osmosis Filter.. I couldn't refuse..
Stealth-RO200 Reverse Osmosis Filter.. I couldn't refuse..
I guess my question is where do I go from here, and how do you guys use your RO systems? I know I will need to replace the filters, and probably grab new RO membranes.. but I have seen some really clean looking DIY's on youtube that involve adding another faucet to your existing sink and placing the RO system underneath.. a lot of the videos I've seen are an entire kit that includes a water storage tank, would I be able to purchase something like this and use it? www.amazon.com/4-0-Gallon-Reverse-Osm...
Or do you guys just get a hose adapter for the inlet and use the RO system for brew day to get the water you need? because that also seems like a possibility..
Posted 34 days ago.
Keep in mind that a RO system doesn't flow water at a very high rate of speed. It will take 30 or so min to fill that 4 gallon tank. For brewing you will be needing considerably more water than that storage tank. What I have done to store water is get a large trashcan, brand new, clean it well and you can store water in it. Could then just use a submersible pump to pump the water out as needed. And I'm talking about a heavy duty one that you would use for outdoors and such. Or you could spend a bit extra and just get a larger pressure tank. Think 10 gallons or so. There are many solutions so keep searching around.
Like this: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rubbermaid-20-gal-Black-Roughneck-Trash-Can-FG289200BLA/100656639
Or even better this one, as it would be a bit thicker walled and would support the water better, but I would suggest a black one so no light could get to the water: http://www.amazon.com/Rubbermaid-Commercial-FG262000WHT-20-Gallon-without/dp/B005KDC1WC
Posted 34 days ago.
I see, do you use a float valve to prevent the trashcan from over-flowing? or do you just run the system for when you are brewing?
I'm sure it would take a little while to get the volume I need, but I still like the idea of having clean looking faucet.. I brew 5 gallon batches, and even if that meant I'd have to wait an hour to draw the additional water needed out of the tank, that might just be fine with me.. it'd also be cool to have this for those hungover mornings that I just want a clean glass of water :)
If I draw water the night before I brew, then got the additional water the next morning when the tank filled overnight.. would a smaller tank still work?
Posted 34 days ago.
I don't see why it wouldn't work. And allows you to have the RO system for regular drinking water, which is a nice bonus. There isn't anything wrong with letting the water sit out. You could even re-use those 5-gallon plastic water jugs or just 1 gallon water jugs and make a stockpile of them for brewing a couple days ahead of time.
I do not currently use my RO for brewing,but when I did need to collect a lot of RO water I would use a float valve installed in the trash can and it worked great. Or you could just run it the night before and keep an eye on it.
Posted 34 days ago.
I guess I'm going back and forth between using that, or just going this route https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgI6AJS32IA .. I know I can go either way, its just a matter of planning.. I can just hook that sucker up the night before and get the water I need, or do I want a permanent system installed in my house.. Either way probably works fine.. thanks for the response, its interesting to see other people's setups and hopefully learn from them!
Posted 34 days ago.
No problem. I'm still a new brewer but I have experience in other areas that seem to be crossing over more than I thought.
I personally like the idea of having it installed under the sink with a pressure tank so you can drink it as well. Then I would just buy either a couple of the 5 gallon water containers or several 1 gallon jugs from walmart and just reuse those. Fill them up whenever and store till brew day.
Posted 34 days ago.
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