Brass y fitting?

[Zbutcher]

Hey folks,

So tomorrow I'm going to be setting up my RODI system with a y fitting off my washing machine. The fitting I bought was the garden hose splitter from home Depot (photo attached)

I noticed on the back it says outside use only. Do you think this is going to cause problems? Does anyone have experience with this?

Thanks

 

[Jedi1199]

I use almost exactly the same fitting. Works just fine.

 

[Zbutcher]

I use almost exactly the same fitting. Works just fine.

Awesome to hear man. Do you have any idea why they would see for outside use only?

 

[F i s h y]

I used the same kind of fitting but not metal.

Better safe than sorry when it comes to metals and salt tanks..

 

[Jedi1199]

Awesome to hear man. Do you have any idea why they would see for outside use only?

No idea... If mine said that, I don't recall seeing it.

 

[MaxTremors]

I know it will be going through the RO/DI filter, but using a brass fitting could make your DI resin deplete much faster. Also, if any of it gets through the filter, it can be deadly to inverts (brass contains and can leach copper). Personally, I would go with plastic/pvc, but so long as it’s before the filter, it should be okay.

 

[Zbutcher]

I know it will be going through the RO/DI filter, but using a brass fitting could make your DI resin deplete much faster. Also, if any of it gets through the filter, it can be deadly to inverts (brass contains and can leach copper). Personally, I would go with plastic/pvc, but so long as it’s before the filter, it should be okay.

Oh **** really? Good looking out!

I'll see.if I can exchange it!.

 

[Jedi1199]

using a brass fitting could make your DI resin deplete much faster.

It will? Can you explain?

 

[Jedi1199]

Zbutcher,​

Since the majority of dwellings built since the late 40's use copper pipe for water supply, I fail to see how a brass "Y" fitting will cause any detectable increase of "leeching" of copper into your RODI. Personally I prefer the longevity of the brass over the rather suspect quality of plastic, especially in a place inside the house where a leak can be a major problem.

 

[MaxTremors]

It will? Can you explain?

Copper can leach out of the brass fitting and copper is only removed by the DI resin (the sediment, carbon, and RO membrane don’t remove it). The more contaminants in your water that are only removed by the DI resin (as opposed to partially or completely removed by the sediment, carbon, or RO membrane), the faster it will deplete (obviously, it depends on how much copper leaches out, but it will absolutely deplete the resin faster than using a pvc or plastic fitting).

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-05/rhf/index.php#6

 

[DrZoidburg]

Sometimes those are plated aluminum. I got knock off from harbor freight before. However if you have acidic water going in to ro filter be sure to have di resin after. Acidic water will slowly degrade the alloy. Copper, possibly some lead, and zinc. If source water like my well with crazy high ph it wont degrade.

 

[MaxTremors]

Zbutcher,​

Since the majority of dwellings built since the late 40's use copper pipe for water supply, I fail to see how a brass "Y" fitting will cause any detectable increase of "leeching" of copper into your RODI. Personally I prefer the longevity of the brass over the rather suspect quality of plastic, especially in a place inside the house where a leak can be a major problem.

Copper has become less popular over the last twenty years, since 2000 more new houses (and renovations) have PEX (polyethylene) pipes than copper. And yes, copper pipes absolutely do deplete DI resins faster. All I’m saying is that for a $3-$4 y-fitting, I’d rather have the peace of mind that there is less likelihood of copper making it into my tank.

 

[Zbutcher]

Zbutcher,​

Since the majority of dwellings built since the late 40's use copper pipe for water supply, I fail to see how a brass "Y" fitting will cause any detectable increase of "leeching" of copper into your RODI. Personally I prefer the longevity of the brass over the rather suspect quality of plastic, especially in a place inside the house where a leak can be a major problem.

Just thought about that. Plus unfortunately for me the outlet that it connects to is brass anyways... :/ Check the pic

 

[Zbutcher]

Copper can leach out of the brass fitting and copper is only removed by the DI resin (the sediment, carbon, and RO membrane don’t remove it). The more contaminants in your water that are only removed by the DI resin (as opposed to partially or completely removed by the sediment, carbon, or RO membrane), the faster it will deplete (obviously, it depends on how much copper leaches out, but it will absolutely deplete the resin faster than using a pvc or plastic fitting).

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-05/rhf/index.php#6

Well I'm kind of screwed either way then :/ my house was built in the 50s and pipes are copper and even the outlet the rodi would connect to is brass. I've attached a pic

 

[Zbutcher]

Sometimes those are plated aluminum. I got knock off from harbor freight before. However if you have acidic water going in to ro filter be sure to have di resin after. Acidic water will slowly degrade the alloy. Copper, possibly some lead, and zinc. If source water like my well with crazy high ph it wont degrade.

The city I live in is renowned for its water treatment plant so I have high doubts it would do that. Luckily all the brass fittings and copper piper is before the rodi unit. So I don't really have a choice. I guess I'll just have to watch the TDS meter then? Or should I look for a hose splitter that's alluminum or something? Or will it even matter consider the outlet it connects to is brass as well see attached pic

 

[Zbutcher]

Copper has become less popular over the last twenty years, since 2000 more new houses (and renovations) have PEX (polyethylene) pipes than copper. And yes, copper pipes absolutely do deplete DI resins faster. All I’m saying is that for a $3-$4 y-fitting, I’d rather have the peace of mind that there is less likelihood of copper making it into my tank.

So my house unfortunately was built in the 50s and definitely has copper pipes and brass fittings all over lol. Even the outlet for the water connection is brass. See attached picture. Do you think it's worth getting a plastic fitting at that point or just watch the TDS meter?

 

[Jedi1199]

Copper has become less popular over the last twenty years, since 2000 more new houses (and renovations) have PEX (polyethylene) pipes than copper. And yes, copper pipes absolutely do deplete DI resins faster. All I’m saying is that for a $3-$4 y-fitting, I’d rather have the peace of mind that there is less likelihood of copper making it into my tank.

Yes, you are correct that many builders are shifting to plastic in the last 20 years or so. Cost being the major factor for the switch. Like most such cost saving factors, the downside is reliability. Copper, while it has its downsides also, generally has a much longer lifespan than plastic. My house was built in 2000 and uses copper for most of the interior supply lines. The exception being the supply for the laundry which uses 3/4" galvanized instead of standard 1/2" copper.

That said. I do see that my DI resin depletes fairly quickly. I do stand by opinion that an inch or so of brass holds no realistic impact on the overall system.

 

[MaxTremors]

Well I'm kind of screwed either way then :/ my house was built in the 50s and pipes are copper and even the outlet the rodi would connect to is brass. I've attached a pic

Like I said, it should be fine so long as it’s all before the filter. Personally, if I had the choice, I’d go with plastic/PVC (but I also don’t have copper pipes). So long as you’re checking the TDS of each batch of water, and changing all of your filter cartridges on schedule/when they’re depleted, you should be fine.

 

[KStatefan]

@Randy Holmes-Farley How much copper will be leached out of a brass y fitting?

 

[DrZoidburg]

It wouldn't degrade and take up as much di resin as you would think. I happens slowly, but copper in the water none the less. Copper is pretty chemically resistant to acids actually. It does happen slowly though.