ro/di set up and methods

[jpv]

I have been getting my saltwater and RO from a LFS for the past 3 years. After getting a 75 I realized I need to get a RO system and make my own.
I ordered a system for The Filter Guys. It should be here some time this week. I am getting the Ocean reef +1 , a float valve, and the DI bypass valve.
How have you guys set up your RO systems and how do you go about making, storing the salt water. I'd like to see pics.
My plan is to make 10 gallons at a time. In 2 tanks 1 ro/di and 1 salt water. I was thinking of having the ro/di on a shelf above the salt water making tank so I can use a ball value to tranfer the water.
The float valve is used to turn off the ro/di sytem and I would also have a over flow drain on both tanks just in case the float value doesn't turn off. This will be located in the laundry room next the a utility sink. Any suggetsions?

 

[DarG]

I also have the Filter Guys stuff.
The 2 stage DI was added to an ancient system a few months ago which I recently upgraded to the Filter Guys 4 stage w/ 75 GPD Filmtek membrane. System is in the garage. My source water measures with a TDS of about 150 ppm. Water after the RO measures 3 PPM and 0 after the DI.

Above shows the RO 4 stage and add on DI 2 stage. Water supply is tapped off of the outside line to the hose and brought through wall. Drain is next to it so my waster water just drains back outside.

Solenoid Valve (Ty-wrapped to the pipe) which shuts off the water at the source, no backpressure on the system.

2 floats. The wired on controls the solenoid valve. The other one was there originally to shut off the system to avoid a flood in case I forgot I had it running. Left it there just in case the automatic one fails for whatever reason.

Rubbermaid 32 gallon trash container for storing the water. On the bottom right, on the floor is an old LG pump. It's connected to the container with a bulkhead fitting and clear vinyl hose. It pumps the water thorugh the 1/2 inch PVC pipe up into the attic and across and back down into the fish room. Power for the pump is switched from the fish room.

 

[jpv]

Thanks for the reply. Nice set up
You say you use a solenoid to shut on the water to have no back pressure. What is that and why it (I assume) bad?
When I finish making water is it best I turn off the water supply?
How do you made your salt water? Has the float valve ever failed?

 

[DarG]

I'm not sure if it's bad or not. I've asked, but always gotten mixed replies. Never asked here though. It's either not good or it doesnt matter. It never has seemed to hurt my membrane or anything but I've never relied on the manual float valve for normal shut down of the water when the bucket was full, I always shut off the supply valve before too long.

The Solenoid was just added a month ago. Its got to be best way to turn the system off automatically. But reason why I bought it was so I always had a full bucket of water. No matter how much I use, it always replenished without me having to climb over my truck in the garage and turn the system on and off at the source.

I make my salt water by the tank in the house. I just pump enough water for my change into a smaller trash container and then add the seawater mix and throw in a power head and mix it up. I try to do it the night before I do the change or in the morning so I can atleast get it mixed up for a few hours.

 

[AZDesertRat]

A better method of shutting the flow off would be an autoshutoff valve with the solenoid plumbed in downstream. By doing that you will ensure the waste is flushed away from the membrane as waste flow will continue for a little bit after the solenoid closes. An autoshutoff is less than $10.

 

[jeffreylam1132]

Is there a pic of the autoshutoff you're talking about, AZ. What's the difference between a DI bypass valve and a RO bypass valve? Or are they the same thing. Thanks.

 

[AZDesertRat]

The 10th picture down is an autoshutoff valve. Most drinking water systems come with them as they are also used with a pressure or bladder tank to shut the system off once the tank is full.
http://www.thefilterguys.biz/fittings.htm

Here are ways to hook it up
http://www.spectrapure.com/huds/ASO-SYS.pdf

 

[jpv]

I was told to use the 32 gallon Brute garbage cans to store my water. 32 gallons is way to large for what I need, are there any other recommended containers I can use. How can you tell if a plastic container is OK to store water in. I have seen people use red plastic gas cans - are they fine to use?