Anyone here use a portable RO/DI unit?

[SauceyReef]

I am currently a renter and need to find a portable RO/DI unit. Has anyone ever used either of these or another brand with success?

 

[a.ocellaris]

I haven’t used either, but the first one looks like a regular ro unit without the usual canisters for the sediment and carbon blocks. When I lived in an apartment, I just hooked up my 75 gpd ro system up to the bathroom faucet with an adapter. Drain line down the tub. It was a no name system I built using parts from eBay. I’d recommend that you stick to something non-proprietary, so you can easily get parts.

 

[Woodyman]

I believe @blaxsun uses the aquatic Life one your referring to.

 

[Cheeze]

I used to use an obscure portable unit because of space and plumbing limitations in my apartment before I exited the hobby years ago. It was an absolute pain to put up and take down, but it got the job done with lots of patience.

If you can't keep a 4 or 5 stage system like the ones sold on BRS because you may not have storage space, the portable ones you posted should work just fine. But look into the BRS (or similar) units some more...

I re-entered the hobby and now use the 5 stage unit and keep it all under my sink. Doesn't take up too much space, the connections were easy with no drilling or permanent manipulation of plumbing so long as you have the right valve parts and faucet adapter. I just attach and detach the hose to my faucet when I need it and run the exit hose down the sink drain. Easy and convenient! If you ever move, you can revert the plumbing back to the original very easily. All this assuming the pipes and current valves you have under there are standard, of course.

 

[Woodyman]

I haven’t used either, but the first one looks like a regular ro unit without the usual canisters for the sediment and carbon blocks. When I lived in an apartment, I just hooked up my 75 gpd ro system up to the bathroom faucet with an adapter. Drain line down the tub. It was a no name system I built using parts from eBay. I’d recommend that you stick to something non-proprietary, so you can easily get parts.

My vote would be standard as well, but you can make due with a proprietary one, just know over the life of the unit you will pay more as you have to use those specific filters.

 

[SauceyReef]

Are all of these portable ones technically proprietary? And do you think even with 0 plumbing experience other than fish tanks I can figure out how to setup a BRS RO/DI unit on this rental and still be able to move it easily when in a year?

Honestly I think I have an old BRS 5 stage RO/DI unit laying around storage. I didn't think I would feasibly or easily be able to reattach it to the rentals.

 

[Mark Goode]

I Guess this is kinda portable:

Glamorca RO Unit | Maxspect

www.maxspect.co.uk

Not cheap though.

 

[Woodyman]

Are all of these portable ones technically proprietary? And do you think even with 0 plumbing experience other than fish tanks I can figure out how to setup a BRS RO/DI unit on this rental and still be able to move it easily when in a year?

Honestly I think I have an old BRS 5 stage RO/DI unit laying around storage. I didn't think I would feasibly or easily be able to reattach it to the rentals.

Can't say for certain how interchangeable any of the proprietary filters are. I've never owned a unit of that style, but there are plenty of manufacturers for the standard size filters.

Yes, there are 2 easy options. One would require you to shut off the water supply, and exchange the current shut off valve with a new one that has a spot for the RO connection. Or you could simply use an adapter that just screws on to your sink. Have you ever cleaned or swapped a faucet aerator?

 

[damsels are not mean]

All the normal ones are portable. Maybe a bit heavy if you have some sort of mobility issues but you can get a faucet adapter and just unscrew and stow it when you are done. I did that for a while with mine from buckeye hydro.

 

[SauceyReef]

Can't say for certain how interchangeable any of the proprietary filters are. I've never owned a unit of that style, but there are plenty of manufacturers for the standard size filters.

Yes, there are 2 easy options. One would require you to shut off the water supply, and exchange the current shut off valve with a new one that has a spot for the RO connection. Or you could simply use an adapter that just screws on to your sink. Have you ever cleaned or swapped a faucet aerator?

I have not done that. I am probably going to send some photos of the BRS RO/DI I have and see what I am dealing with. I will go pick it up from storage the next 2-3 days and make another post. Good to know I can use this. I will probably just go with the adapter route to make it easier.

 

[blaxsun]

I believe @blaxsun uses the aquatic Life one your referring to.

Yes, I use the twist-version of the AquaticLife RODI system. Changing filters takes all of 10 seconds (just turn the water off, remove the old filter and replace with a new one). If you're not going to drip into a larger collection container with a float I'd recommend a pressure tank (mine holds 3.5-4 gallons so I just hook up a tube to my 5-gallon container, turn the valve and it's filled in 30 minutes).

 

[Woodyman]

I have not done that. I am probably going to send some photos of the BRS RO/DI I have and see what I am dealing with. I will go pick it up from storage the next 2-3 days and make another post. Good to know I can use this. I will probably just go with the adapter route to make it easier.

You'll want something like this to turn your regular faucet into a hose style bib.

Then this can be used to go from the hose to the RO.

There are other options as well.

 

[Dan_P]

I am currently a renter and need to find a portable RO/DI unit. Has anyone ever used either of these or another brand with success?

A similar question up not too long ago about a renter wanting to know about portable RO/DI units on a cart. Can’t remember the post though but maybe a careful search of the site might be useful.

By portable do you mean connecting the water via a faucet?

 

[SauceyReef]

Yes - apparently I can do that with my BRS RO/DI which I was not aware of. Going to make another post about it when I get into storage for any possible help.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Sleeping Giant]

Buy one from @Bulk Reef Supply it comes with tap adapter's