Should I Mix Salt in my RO tank?

[Wes]

I have a 110 gallon RO tank that i have always used for the sole purpose of storing RODI water. I refill top offs with it and drain it to smaller 25 gallon tubs to mix salt water in. I normally only do small, regular water changes and 20 gallons is enough, but i am needing to do a large 60 gallon or so change this week.

Is there any reason for me not to just mix the salt in the RO container this time around? It would make it alot easier but i could certainly work around it if it would be best.

Thanks

 

[hardaur]

I don't see any reason not to, just hose it out when you're done before you use it for top-off again.

I have a bunch of 5g buckets that I use for all purposes, RO/DI water, salt mixing, etc. I just clean them after every run. Only thing I'm (stupidly) weird about is I have a specific outgoing water bucket (water from tank).

My $0.02 anyway,

G

 

[kthomas]

Same here ... the amount of salt that is left in after its cleaned out will be minute. Just make sure its cleaned out after you use it.

 

[DaveJ]

Yup will be fine... if you routinely do it, all you need to do is hose it out or run some vinegar and scrub it down every other month or something. If you keep saltwater longer term, or even RO, you will develop a slim film after awhile and that will throw the TDS up (in the case of RO) so its a good idea to scrub it occasionally to keep it clean.

 

[Wes]

thats what i wanted to avoid...its a 5' job lifted 2' with my ro unit on top of it. the film was what i was worried about, but you are saying i probably get that with just RO water anyways? ive never cleaned it and dont have any tds problems.

 

[DaveJ]

@Wes wrote:

You'll get some residue from the salt if you use it on an ongoing basis, but a one time use or infrequent basis?? Probably nothing to worry about.

Yep.. RO will grow things in it over time. Its usually more pronounced in the warmer months. During the summer I make it a habit of rinsing out the can every other week or so. Just run your hand over the plastic, if you feel slime, its time to clean. If not, then your good to go. Helps if you keep everything in darkness as well.. I sometimes leave the lights on in the garage so occasioanlly I would get a little algae growth.