How to set up RO/DI units?

S

soccerman77

New member
Say I wanted to set up a RO/DI unit in my garage in a garbage can. Couple questions.

1) Do you submerse these things?

2) Do you have to have water running through them all day and if so where would the extra water go?

3) Would I need anything else like a water pump (I think I saw some brands have one built in) or something or can I just plug it in and it goes?

PS for those who have been answering my many questions thanks a bunch. My 75g is almost fully functional. I have my LR/Sand in but I still need a few more plumbing parts to get my chiller/sump operating. I'll get pics up soon!
 
1. No

2. I was sending mine to the drain but I found out today I can use the extra water. I am going to setup another container and use for other things like watering plants, cleaning clothes, etc.

3. you shouldn't but possibly if your water from you faucett is powerful enough. Others will need to pipe in here.
 
I guess what I need to see visually is like a diagram of how these things work. Where the hoses go. Where the faucet water goes. How to set up an overflow ect. Anyone have a good diagram?
 
To answer #2...........You don't run water continually through them. You make what water you need, when your done, flush the membrane(they last longer doing that), then shut it off. The waste water can go down a drain. Some people save it to water plants.

I bought mine from filterguys. It came with excellent instructions and was REAL easy to hook up. Plus they are awesome when you call for questions, very helpful and friendly.



BTW; I got the "Ocean Reefs" model. Everything is already connected. You just need to connect you water supply!

Where would you be getting the water from? Under a sink? Garden hose?
 
Last edited:
Second thefilterguys. Give them a call and Jim will tell you more than you ever wanted to know about water filtration. I bet he will even answer his phone on a Sunday.
 
ok my friend here it goes, i am a plumber with 17 years experience in manufacturing and installing reverse osmosis systems, i have found that if you go to a home depot or lowes wich ever is closest, you can get an R/O for like 150 dlls or so, the instllation is pretty simple, you have 4 hoses 1/4" in diameter, one goes to the main cold water, the other one goes to a reservoir tank, another one goes to drain, and the las one goes to a faucet, but in your case will go to the float on sump or rubbermaid basket, these systems are really good because they will not waste any water when the tank is full, if u have anymore question i will be happy to help you

sana
 
I hooked my ro/di up to my washer box with a garden hose splitter and set up a float valve in a 35 gallon drum to prevent any waste. Its works great for toping off my tank
 
I just ran my tap for phosphates and nitrates and they both came back o's. Still debating whether I should get one. I've seen the discussions in other threads but it seems like about 50-50 need or dont need depending on where you live.
 
If you do decide to get one, and you do get one from the filterguys, it comes with everything labeled and detailed instructions on how to hook it up. :)

Everyone will basically recommend that you get a RO/DI unit. Water quality is the number one thing that affects your fish and corals. If it's not perfect, expect problems.
 
Re: How to set up RO/DI units?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9783558#post9783558 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by soccerman77
Say I wanted to set up a RO/DI unit in my garage in a garbage can. Couple questions.

1) Do you submerse these things? ( NO)

2) Do you have to have water running through them all day and if so where would the extra water go? (YES BUT I PUT A SHUTOFF ON IT)

3) Would I need anything else like a water pump (I think I saw some brands have one built in) or something or can I just plug it in and it goes? (YES AND NO)

PS for those who have been answering my many questions thanks a bunch. My 75g is almost fully functional. I have my LR/Sand in but I still need a few more plumbing parts to get my chiller/sump operating. I'll get pics up soon!
Click to expand...
 
soccerman, I have been looking on here for years and I can tell you there are a lot more people using RODI or buying water somewhere. Tap water has tons of things in it and well water is worse. What you would need to check for is TDS. The TDS will tell you if your water is good enough. You might want to really search it out. When you want to see others doing something a certain way: that is the method that will stand out in your mind. RODI vs Tap is not any where near 50/50. You must start with good water that is what we are doing replicating sea water. Tap water has all kinds of things added.
 
THE single most important thing I've purchased was an RO/DI unit. I would think a lot more than half of Aquarist WOULD recommend and RO/DI. The most imortant thing in starting up a reef is water quality. Sure, you could use tap water, eventually you'll run into parameter issues. At least that is what I have found in researching.


CALL FILTERGUYS! They will tell you exactly what you need. When I got mine in the mail, there was three connections to make.

1) Adapter for undersink connection

2) RO to DI connection

3) DI to drain(Basically, a hose coming from the DI unit is places in my bathtub for draining.)
 
It does seem like more than half the people use it. My unit came with all of the connections made. I only had to make sure they were tight and connect to the sink. In regard to your last question, you don't need a pump if your water pressure from you faucett is strong enough. I would guess for most an extra pump is not necessary.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

E
Setting up 10g quarantine tank
Replies
9
Views
445
Dr. Reef
Dr. Reef
E
Setting up new 60 gallon tank. Mixing initial water question
Replies
7
Views
333
Elmareefer
E
M
Back to this wonderfull hobbie after 10 years
Replies
4
Views
299
griss
griss
B
Left Tank for a long time, now want to reboot
Replies
8
Views
382
SantaMonica
S
W
Storing RO/DI water
Replies
16
Views
3K
griss
griss
Back
Top