Help me get my RO water from the basement to the tanks!

[myswtsins]

Ok I finally have the problem of filtering my well water to meet my needs figured out but now I am stuck as to how to get that water into the tanks. :)

I will be using a simple RO unit with carbon only filters to remove excess iron but leave the calcium & magnesium. The RO unit of course will only make so many gallons a day, say 50GPD, so it will need to be ran into a storage tank of some sort. But how do you suggest me getting the water from there to my tanks in a reasonable amount of time?

I figure I could run the RO water into a 55g barrel with a float valve then have a separate pump in the barrel that is hooked up to a switch near the tanks. See lame drawing!

Is there an easier way to do it? Would it even work?

Also this what I am looking to buy do you think it is a good price? (shipping not included)
-3 stage unit on a triple bracket that has only (1) 5 micron carbon, (1) 1 micron carbon and (1) 0.5 micron sediment filter in the housings. $89.95

[Sploke]

I don't see any reason why your proposed schematic would not do the job, just make sure your pump is capable of decent flow at a head height of 20-25 feet. the other option is just run the RO output line to where you need the water and either use a float valve for topoffs or use storage tanks at point-of-use.

[myswtsins]

Thanks for the quick response! I'd like to use the storage tanks at point of use but I just don't have the space, I barely have the space in the basement. :) And I need storage tanks because the 2 tanks I want to use this water on require large WCs weekly, my planted EI dosed tank & my Mbuna tank. Hence why I came up with this plan! Your 2 suggestions would have been preferred layouts though.

[tackful]

I found what was called a "transfer pump" with a head height of 30 ft for about $50 on EBay. My electrical connection is downstairs, but I have a flow control valve upstairs at the tank, which can stop the water when the tank is full while I run downstairs and unplug the pump. Since you will be pumping water up two floors, a more expensive pump with more head height might be called for. Even a little extra height, to be sure.

[Squawkbert]

2 switches won't send water to two different tanks using one pump, what you need is a pair of 3-way switches to run the pump and a pair of (normally closed) ball valves at the spigots.

[myswtsins]

Thanks tackful, I'll check that out!

[myswtsins]

2 switches won't send water to two different tanks using one pump, what you need is a pair of 3-way switches to run the pump and a pair of (normally closed) ball valves at the spigots.

I know I will need a pair of 3 way switches because...well that is what you need to have 2 switches work 1 thing. :) Don't know how to explain it but I know what I mean.

What I am confused about is the ball valves though. Why would I need ball valves if I have spigots? Having both spigots closed until I want to open one would be the same as opening one ball valve, right? What am I missing here?

[Squawkbert]

If spigots have valves in 'em, then you're missing nothing.

[myswtsins]

Thank you! :D This project is on hold until I have the funds but I am SOOOO glad to have a permanent solution!