RODI Drain ideas???

[Reefer2727]

I will be setting up my RODI filter and mixing station in my unfinished basement. I am wondering how people run their drain for the RODI when there isn't an accessible drain in the basement.

We have had some plumbing issues and I would prefer not to tap into one of the main drains for the house in the basement. Or perhaps this is much easier than I think.

Does anyone run their drain line up to a main level sink or drain or other?

Some advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[pbanda]

I have mine in the laundry room and zipped tied the drain tube to the drain tube on the washing machine. Can you run your drain tube up there?

 

[lizardarm]

Does it have to go in the basement? just asking because I too have mine in the laundry room; I use the waste water from the RO/DI to fill the wash machine. Just a thought

 

[Reefer2727]

I will look into that. Thanks for the help. Do most RODI units just require the standard 1/4" hosing? Or is there special hosing for this application?

 

[OCRick]

Do you have a sump pump in the basement?

 

[Reefer2727]

No sump pump in basement.

 

[dccr]

Can you direct it into the yard/garden? Plants love it!

 

[Reefer2727]

Unfortunately it does have to go in the basement.

 

[Reefer2727]

Another good idea. Perhaps I could direct it outside. Only problem is that I am located in Canada and once winter comes that line will freeze up big time. Good idea though.

 

[Mike31154]

How about a large storage tank, do you have room for that in your basement? The only drawback is, you need to keep an eye on it so it doesn't overflow and cause a flood. I have two 55 gallon drums to store the waste water until I need it. In the summer it goes into the garden and I've also used a bucket to fill the toilet flush tank the odd time. Means a lot of lugging pails around, but I'd rather do that than send it all down the drain. Haven't had to deal with the winter issue yet, but probably will use the water to fill the toilet tanks, they're major water users. I have a front load washing machine that uses very little water, so I don't bother trying to fill that, it won't take very much.

One of the drums I purchased at a garden center (sold as a rain barrel) and the other I snagged from my local brew on premises outlet where I make beer. They have food safe containers they only use once, so that's a good source. I plan on converting one of those to a RO/DI storage tank.

 

[luther1200]

I actually just did it about 30 minutes ago. I bought a self piercing valve from BRS. It was very very easy. All you do is clamp it on and twist the handle. It pushes a pin through the pipe and thats it. It has a quick connect for the RO line on it. It was under $5 for tha valve. I think it was around $3. I was a little worried since I had some kind of PVC I wasn't sure if it was just for copper pipe. But it worked great on the PVC or ABS I am not sure what it was made out of.

 

[luther1200]

This is the valve I used.

Its the third or fourth row down on this page in the center.


http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/RO/DI-Filters-&-Systems-RO-Valves-and-Adaptors/c9_99/index.html

 

[sgolden]

i just drilled a hole in my pvc plumbing exactly the size of the 1/4 tubing from the ro system...a few twists and the line fits snug into my house plumbing drain line and off to septic...a smudge of silicone if its not very tight...drill the hole on the topside of the pipe...HTH but using the water for laundry is a wise idea...

 

[Reefer2727]

Great ideas. That self piercing valve looks fabulous. Do you need a check valve or anything in case the drain got backed up?

Drilling a hole sounds good too. This may be the way I go as the self piercing seems to be good for pipes up to 1 and 1/4". I think the drains that I can tap into are bigger than that.

What size drillbit would be used on the drain?

 

[luther1200]

I put a check valve on just in case that did happen.

 

[Reefer2727]

Is it just a 1/4" check valve? Where did you put it?

 

[addicted2reefin]

can u put the rodi up stairs and have it flow downstairs into the basement??? that may be an easier alternative.

 

[luther1200]

Yes its just a 1/4" check valve. I put it on the waste line. Just in case the drain got full, I didn't want the drain water to make its way back to the RO membrane. I don't know if it would or not but for a few bucks I thought it was worth the money for the check valve.

The one I used is on that same page in the link I posted. Its all the way to the right on the top row.

 

[Reefer2727]

I cant put the RODI upstairs. No real good spot for it.

Thanks Matt for the check valve info.

 

[Reefer2727]

Another questions. I am about to order a RODI unit from Bulk Reef Supply. Does anyone know how much 1/4" tubing comes with this unit? What do the different coloured tubing mean?