RO/DI water system - waste water output
- Thread starter jmc
- Start date
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Understanding that systems vary - an average is what I'm looking for. captivereefs
Aquarium Advice Addict
the ratio is 4-1;Use the waste water for washing clothes.
Wow 
That's a lot of water down the drain! I would really like to install a system, but fear this could not be good as I have a septic system. Even running that much water out of the house accross the ground surface could create some problems...
Thanks for the info!
That's a lot of water down the drain! I would really like to install a system, but fear this could not be good as I have a septic system. Even running that much water out of the house accross the ground surface could create some problems...Thanks for the info!
Wow That's a lot of water down the drain! I would really like to install a system, but fear this could not be good as I have a septic system. Even running that much water out of the house accross the ground surface could create some problems...
Thanks for the info!
That's a lot of water down the drain! I would really like to install a system, but fear this could not be good as I have a septic system. Even running that much water out of the house accross the ground surface could create some problems...Thanks for the info!
reefrunner69
Aquarium Advice Addict
Water is not a problem for septic, it's solids that give you trouble, the water should simply pass through the septic to the drainfield.
captivereefs
Aquarium Advice Addict
that waste water probably costs less than the gas it takes to go to the LFS to buy RO water.
GrndHog
Aquarium Advice FINatic
captivereefs said:
Very good point!
OneBowl
Aquarium Advice Regular
jmc,
Regarding RO/DI waste water volume and septic systems, we recently purchased a house and had a local municipal on-site sewage inspector visit for the inspection phase. His advice: "the best way to ensure proper functioning and longevity of on-site sewage systems, septic or cesspool, is water conservation. Run as little volume as possible through the system." While it seems reasonable that waste water would simply flow to the drain field, there must be some reason for the above recommendation. He's the expert, not me. Would suggest you call your local municipality and ask if sending an extra 500 gallons of waste water per month would tax your system. They are usually very helpful. If your system is appropriately sized, I suspect the answer will be "no," but it's worth the call since the downside is thousands of dollars and one heck of a mess. Just FYI. Good luck.
Regarding RO/DI waste water volume and septic systems, we recently purchased a house and had a local municipal on-site sewage inspector visit for the inspection phase. His advice: "the best way to ensure proper functioning and longevity of on-site sewage systems, septic or cesspool, is water conservation. Run as little volume as possible through the system." While it seems reasonable that waste water would simply flow to the drain field, there must be some reason for the above recommendation. He's the expert, not me. Would suggest you call your local municipality and ask if sending an extra 500 gallons of waste water per month would tax your system. They are usually very helpful. If your system is appropriately sized, I suspect the answer will be "no," but it's worth the call since the downside is thousands of dollars and one heck of a mess. Just FYI. Good luck.
reefrunner69
Aquarium Advice Addict
The reason is because, how many time do you just run water down the drain? There is always something in it that is not friendly to the bacteria in your septic that are breaking down the solids. Antibacterial soap, shampoo, toothpase, toilet paper, etc etc etc. Waste water is simply water, nothing added
Now this is where this forum has some definite 'value ad'... not only am I getting excellent aquarium advice, I'm getting very insightful input into the health of my septic system! I'm serious - this is great!
I have a friend who is the septic guy for the county I live in and plan on giving him a call to see what he can add.
As for my tank, its a 46 gal. with sump so roughly 50 gal. I'll only need to produce enough RO water for partial water changes and evap so I think the excess will be negligible, but then again my house is 30 years old so I don't want to take any chances...
Thanks again for the added input to this thread!
- jmc
I have a friend who is the septic guy for the county I live in and plan on giving him a call to see what he can add.
As for my tank, its a 46 gal. with sump so roughly 50 gal. I'll only need to produce enough RO water for partial water changes and evap so I think the excess will be negligible, but then again my house is 30 years old so I don't want to take any chances...
Thanks again for the added input to this thread!
- jmc
Maximo
Aquarium Advice Activist
I am also thinking of getting an RO/DI system. Once the storage tank is full does the system continue to waste water or is it idle until some of the stored water is used(makes the most sense to me)?
-Maximo
-Maximo
reefrunner69
Aquarium Advice Addict
Most RO/DI filters these days have an auto shut off when back pressure reaches a certain point, so it should shut off.
