ro/di water systems

tdchicago

New member
I am spending a lot of time and money always running to the LFS to buy water. How complicated is it to install this system, and what does it look like when it is done?

I have a washer/dryer hook up, but no utility sink. How does this all work?
 
It's really easy. Most use a saddle piercing valve, which installs along any cold water copper line. The drain should be able to go directly down where your washer drains.
 
if you have a washer hook up its simple. you will need a y-adapter. then hook it to the cold water side. then you should be able to get a garden hose adapter from who ever you get the unit from, or Lowes where ever. hook the input line to the hose adapter, then run the waste water line from the unit down the washers drain, or use a saddle valve (usually supplied with the unit). run the output to the container for the RO water, and your done.
 
It took me an evening to install and this included a booster pump. My only regret was not doing it sooner.
 
what are you using for a container to hold the finished water?

Do you just run the system when you need water for change? I would like to produce about 20 gallons a week.
 
should have listened, near disaster!

should have listened, near disaster!

Good story.

My wife calls me at work. While we were gone, the flex hose from the return pump came off, and started spewing water in the air out of the sump!

It eventually filled about an inch inside the stand, and knocked out the breaker. The power source, a 8 plug surge protector, was smoking when she walked in! I had it just sitting next to the sump.

Got lucky that the circuit breaker blew, otherwise it would have made the pump run dry, and who knows what else could have happened!

Just finished velcroing the new power source to the side of the cabinet, and attaching some rings around the return pump and bulkhead flex hose.

From now on, I will listen better!
 
Crikey mate! That doesn't sound like any fun. :( Glad that breaker blew or you could have had a nice little fire on your hands. Count your blessings...

As far as RO/DI goes you can use it only when you need water, or set up a Rubbermaid trashcan or other food-grade container to use as a reservoir, or holding tank for your fresh water. Look into the Spectapure MaxCap or www.thefilterguys.biz for a nice units. ;)
 
Nah, only really 2 connections to the existing system at the most. One supplies fresh water to the unit and the other is wastewater that goes down the drain, or you can save it for a garden or houseplants.

can be mounted under a sink or in a basement. But it will kinda be like hooking up the water line for a refrigerator's built in ice maker.
 
There seem to be a lot of complaints about the Coralife system here. I would stick with Reef Central sponsors that deal exclusively in RO/DI systems, they know what they are doing and are priced very competitively.

Yes you can hook it to a faucet when you want to make water and disconnect it when its not in use.

Almost all RO/DI units have a 4:1 waste ratio, thats 4 gallons of flush water fror 1 gallon of product or good water. The waste is not bad as it has been through a sediment and carbon filter so it can be used for other things like laundry, filling the pool, lawn, garden etc. There are a few that have less lower waste but they may experience shortened membrane life due to accumulated solids over time. I have heard Spectrapure is working on a new system that will use pressurized DI water to flush the membrane and will probably have a 1:1 waste ratio or possibly less.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9753893#post9753893 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tdchicago
I am worried about the amount of water wasted

The coral life unit seems pretty good? Opinions?


Spectrapure MaxCap is the best bar none. You will pay for it though. If you are on a budget get the Ocean Wave 75GPD unit from www.thefilterguys.biz Quality product. ;)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9753893#post9753893 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tdchicago
I am worried about the amount of water wasted

It depends on the RO unit and what it's set for. Mine is set for 50% waste water production. It's nothing compared to lugging 1 gallon jugs or driving to your LFS for RO/DI water.

I've heard of some people using it for washing, gardens, etc., but my water is already above federal standards for disolved solids. Why mess with it?

I'd get a DI that is optimized for silicates. I've had lots of problems with diatoms and it's gotten dramatically better with RO/DI water.
 
What do you mean by "Mine is set for 50% waste water production."

There is no such thing as a federal standard for dissolved solids. TDS is considered an astetic and not a health risk therefore it has no standard.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9753963#post9753963 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drummereef
Spectrapure MaxCap is the best bar none. You will pay for it though. If you are on a budget get the Ocean Wave 75GPD unit from www.thefilterguys.biz Quality product. ;)


I am buying the 90GPD Spectrapure Maxcap, and using a 65g Vertical bulk water tank for storage, and a 44g brute to mix SW.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9754132#post9754132 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AZDesertRat
What do you mean by "Mine is set for 50% waste water production."

There is no such thing as a federal standard for dissolved solids. TDS is considered an astetic and not a health risk therefore it has no
standard.

50% Waste water production means that for every gallon produced as RO/DI another gallon gets produced as waste water.

re: TDS - I remember reading it in the local paper. Municipal water is well water and has lots of sulfur in it, so it's not the best drinking water. Like you say, it's not a health risk, but there are guidelines for what is considered reasonable and we're above that.
 
I just installed a 5 stage 75 GPD Oceanwave RO/DI unit from the filterguys, I have a sink right below my tank, so install was quick and easy. RO units goes to a 10 gal fish tank...with an ATO auto topoff unit going to my sump. Install took less than 2 hours from start to finish. Hands down this unit produces quality water for a lot less money than the name brands, instructions are good and easy to follow and the support from the filter guys was excellent...called three times just for info and they explained everything in detail, very good service!
 
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