Automated RODI Setup - The Easy Way.

Fisherman Joe · Jul 3, 2019

How would you setup a booster pump with an automatic RO?

At the minute I plug in the booster pump when I run the RO unit. How do you automate this?

I can only imagine, you would have to link the power of the diaphragm pump to the unit that controls the top up tank in the sump. When that solenoid opens the RO line and pulls water from the RO unit, the booster pump is turned on etc.

Or can you get like an in-line low pressure switch? When the unit that tops up the Top off tank, it draws water and the pressure drops and turns the booster pump on.

Not sure how these automatic booster pumps work with auto RO units.

Reef-junky · Jul 3, 2019

I think your over complicating your set up. A float valve would stop the water from running. Forget the booster pump and run two RO’s. Forget the diaphragm pump and just connect the DI inline there is no need for it. I would put the top off tank outside the sump then pump it into the sump with switch’s to stop the pump (two of them one as a back up float switches can get stuck) or gravity feed it to the sump with a float valve to stop the top off water from the top off tank. I wouldn’t feed the water to a tank sitting in the or to the sump directly because if for what ever reason the valve or switch gets stuck or breaks RO/DI water would be running the whole time till you shut it off. You want to pump top off water slow into the sump so you don’t want a fast pump. Instead of the trash can put the float valve on your top up tank.

Fisherman Joe · Jul 4, 2019

Yeah i plan to have a separate fresh water tank in the sump with a flood switch in case it over flows.

The water pressure is quite low, it would take forever to fill. I just need a way of having the pump turn on automatically.

I can get a auto flush valve to keep the membrane clean. That parts solved, thanks for your help there.

As for the rest, i just want the lowest maintenance RO water, so i dont have to change it too much.

Reef-junky · Jul 4, 2019

How low? If it’s to low for the RO that’s one thing but if it just because the water is running slow that’s normal. It doesn’t matter if it fills the tank slow as long as it not going to empty out on you. This may work for shutting off a booster pump I would double check with BRS before you buy.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/smart-level-security-autoaqua.html

You may want something like this for extra security

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/smart-ato-rodi-solenoid-autoaqua.html

Reef-junky · Jul 4, 2019

This is just top off water your still going to have to do water changes. Which is a lot more work. If your going for hands off on the top off water then I would go for automatic water changes.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/awc-auto-water-changer-plus-ato-autoaqua.html

Fisherman Joe · Jul 4, 2019

Im using the Triton method so not doing water changes.

Its a good point you raise about the diaphragm booster pump, is it even needed really?

For an Auto RODI unit, do they improve efficiency at all? Time isnt a big factor here i guess.

Reef-junky · Jul 5, 2019

yes pressure effects the efficiency of an RO filter. It’s also possible to have to much pressure.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wqpmag.com/factors-impact-ro-filter-performance?amp

This is a booster pump for an RO

Fisherman Joe · Jul 5, 2019

That’s why I have. Mine is a diagram style pump that I use for boosting the water pressure. Same thing.

I will time this to activate when the low water level is triggered. Thanks for your help.

Reef-junky · Jul 5, 2019

What is the pressure off the tap? If it’s above 3.45 bars then you don’t need a booster pump. Sounds like your trying to put the pumps after the RO and feeding the DI you want the pump after the tap water feeding the whole system.

jaoojr · Jul 5, 2019

To be honest I have used to drinking water for 5 years on my fish only tank with no issues.

Reef-junky · Jul 5, 2019

jaoojr said:
To be honest I have used to drinking water for 5 years on my fish only tank with no issues.

LoL

This depends on what’s in your water which verys depending on where you are. More often then not this is a recipe for disaster. If you have corals it’s even worse. Which you don’t.

Fisherman Joe · Jul 5, 2019

I’ve used the booster on the RO membrane yes. The tap water pressure is low. 5 PSI or so.

jaoojr · Jul 5, 2019

Reef-junky said:
LoL

This depends on what’s in your water which verys depending on where you are. More often then not this is a recipe for disaster. If you have corals it’s even worse. Which you don’t.

My larger tank is fish only my biocube has corals.

Reef-junky · Jul 6, 2019

jaoojr said:
My larger tank is fish only my biocube has corals.

I’m not saying it’s not possible but not a good idea. Using tap water can lead to and most often does a bunch of problems. Giving that as advice is just bad. Not sure why you think almost everyone in this hobby uses RO/DI water in the first place. You know that there have been outbreaks of stuff in tap water that made people sick right? So if he has tap water that is 300 TDS and your’s is 50 you think that is the same? Just to name a few things in tap water and there more then just these

A few problems caused by tap water

Just started reefing · Oct 4, 2022

Hi Y'all,
I have a 65 gal mixed tank with very high Nitrates (100) and have been using tap water in my tank from the beginning. FOWLR tank for 15+ year and Mixed reef for less than a year. I tested our tap water and found out the Nitrates in it were over 75.
Do I need a RODI system? If so, what can y'all suggest? I don't have space for a permanent one. It will have to be able to fill can for water changes and then be put up.

Reef-junky · Oct 4, 2022

Just started reefing said:
Hi Y'all,
I have a 65 gal mixed tank with very high Nitrates (100) and have been using tap water in my tank from the beginning. FOWLR tank for 15+ year and Mixed reef for less than a year. I tested our tap water and found out the Nitrates in it were over 75.
Do I need a RODI system? If so, what can y'all suggest? I don't have space for a permanent one. It will have to be able to fill can for water changes and then be put up.

It’s safer to use RO/DI water then not to. Not sure what U mean by permanent. At minimum I would get a 4 stage.

Just started reefing · Oct 4, 2022

Reef-junky said:
It’s safer to use RO/DI water then not to. Not sure what I mean by permanent. At minimum I would get a 4 stage.

I have no room where my tank is to mount it. I would have to use it then put it away. Any suggestions on an affordable RODI system?

Reef-junky · Oct 4, 2022

Just started reefing said:
I have no room where my tank is to mount it. I would have to use it then put it away. Any suggestions on an affordable RODI system?

BRS has a line of them. There’s also spectrapure.