I found the Muriatic acid at a local hardware store but have not been able to locate the Lye (Caustic Soda) anywhere. So, where dose one purchase this stuff? I would like to recharge both the Kati & Ani before starting to use them. Thanks again,

Steve

What is this, one of those Kent Marine units?  If so, it is probably not a bad idea as a backup to the Kati-Ani, especially as the Kati-Ani becomes exhausted.

I usually set mine for about 10 gallons per hour.

So far, I have been lucky and able to find it locally.  But, I have also seen it for sale from various online vendors.

Thanks Steven & Bruce for all of this great input!

Bruce: The Muriatic acid that I purchased is 20 Baume & 31.45% Hydrogen Chloride. I am going to Lowes to see if I can pick up that NaOH solution.

Another question: When one makes up the Muriatic acid solution in the bucket which is elevated above the Kati unit, how does one start the siphon in order to get the solution to run through the unit? Just curious??

Steve

What solution do I use to "recharge" the Ani unit? In the booklet they talk about "Regeneration" to "Totally desalt water", "Purify sea water", & "Adjustment of ANI as a pH-buffer for a sea water aquarium".

Very confusing as all that I am interested in doing is using the unit for my tap water in order to get "0" TDS & good makeup water. Tnanks,

Steve

Also, there has got to be a better way of recharging these units. I tried recharging the Kati unit today & it was a real nightmare. I made up the solution in a 5 gal bucket & placed the bucket in the sink with the Kati unit on the floor. I could not get a siphon to start and hold no matter what I tried. So, I had to wind up using a small pump to push the solution up the line and into the unit. At the other end of the receiving pail I had rigged up a shut off valve & had the solution dripping out very slowly. I think that I am going to have to use a container with an attached spicket at the very bottom the I can attach the 3/8" tubing to so that the solution just gravity feeds into the Kati unit. Hopefully, that will solve the problem. My hands were burning just trying to get a siphon going as I had to keep putting them into the Muriatic solution in the bucket. Not looking forward to doing that again.

Suggestion: When you sell these units it would be nice to offer everything needed to both hook them up to a tap water outlet & also be able to do a recharging. I don't think that it would be too much of a problem getting all of the needed hardware. You could sell it as a separate "Kit" to go along with the units. Just a thought on my part.

Steve

How high is the resin supposed to be in these units. Both my Kati & Ani unit have resins about 4 1/2" from the top. In other words, there is a gap of that amount at the top of the each unit without resin. Just curious? Finally, is it possible to add or replace these resins at some point in time?? Thanks again!!

Steve

P.S. Steven, where are those pictures my friend????

Steve

I will try to answer all your questions in one reply:

Siphoning - If you need to siphon these dangerous chemicals from buckets, there are cheap hand bellows attached to a rigid pipe on one end and a flexible tube on another. They are made for siphoning from a fuel can into equipment (or vice versa). You may even be able to adapt a gravel cleaner siphon. I use Kent's Aqua Doser containers on a shelf above my utility sink. You can adjust the flow very easily into the Kati and Ani which then flows into a 5 gallon bucket to neutralize with each other before pouring down the drain.

Regeneration Method - For basic water purification, you follow the Total Desalination directions. The Kati and Ani can be used for many other purposes including temporary "polishing" of salt water in an operating tank. But, let's get the basics down first.

Strength of Sodium Hydroxide - I found this information on their web page in the MSDS section if I recall correctly. You can see if they show a different stregth for the product you purchased.

Fittings Kit - I provide a simple adapter to go from their metric plumbing to our "American" plumbing. From there, anyone can easily purchas