Is this normal?

yes very well thank you. side note. i think this explains were my severe algae bloom comes from. i started out may of 09 with tap water. learned that was wrong. aglae bloom. started using store bought water.fixed aglae problem found sore arms(i live on the 3rd floor) and walet. bought ro unit in dec(no tds meter) ran it for 2months 2nd algae bloom bad. installed inline tds meter and found the problem. need to run water through for 10 mins or so first. i'm getting ready for my 1st tank upgrade build and i'm trying to figure some more of this stuff before hand. so thank you and 3reef. you guys make this hobbie alittle easier k+

 

I just want to make sure you're on the right track here... I have my RO/DI on a timer (actually, I have the float/solenoid on a timer). It's only allowed to run, at max, 30 minutes a day. But it's all in the same window.

This keeps it from just coming on when the water drops. It goes into a reservoir that's larger than my daily need so I do not run dry.

So my unit does not run constantly or often, but less often for longer periods. Like AZ says. How much it runs in that 30 minute window is controlled by floats and solenoid.

So I guess I'm saying stick the solenoid on a timer

 

For a solenoid/ float switches I place the switches a good distance apart so you get less frequent but longer filter runs. In may case its a 23 gallon Rubbermaid recycling can and the float switches are exactly 11 gallons apart so it must drop that amount before it will run again.


If you use a float valve its as simple and shutting the water supply off for a day or two once the storage container fills so it must drop some distance before you manually turn the supply back on again, shutting it off once full. I am forgetful so the solenoid and switches won out!

 

my shut off valve that i was talking about is just a manual valve. i replenish my water on the weekends ,i have 4 2.5 gallon jugs i keep topped off.i just turn on the valve run both lines to the drain untill my output meter reads 0-1 ppm then put the filtered water line into a jug and set a timer so dont flood my floor