Calling out all Mixing station owners!

[jmichaelh7]

I have used this mixing station for 4 years.

Any recommendations on how I can fill all three Brutes with RODI without waking up in the middle of night to switch the hose into different containers?

Thanks reefers

 

[Mike konesky]

1/2" bulkheads up as high as possible, push connect fittings, push connect 1/2" line. Overflow into each other. Could still utilize a float valve when they are connected together if bulkheads are lower than the float.

 

[jmichaelh7]

1/2" bulkheads up as high as possible, push connect fittings, push connect 1/2" line. Overflow into each other. Could still utilize a float valve when they are connected together if bulkheads are lower than the float.

Stagger the 1/2 bulkheads or not needed

 

[exnisstech]

Float valves on each and tees in the tubing. One will probably fill faster but eventually they will all fill. I wouldn't be without a float valve on my mixing containers. They can fail but have a better success rate than me remembering to go check them before they over flow

 

[jmichaelh7]

Float valves on each and tees in the tubing. One will probably fill faster but eventually they will all fill. I wouldn't be without a float valve on my mixing containers. They can fail but have a better success rate than me remembering to go check them before they over flow

is the float valve really needed?

If it starts over flowing , it's in the garage already

 

[exnisstech]

Not necessary but it makes it so you don't have to watch it. Go work, vacation etc. I not sure of your water situation but I have to pay for it and RO systems waste so much water already I figure eventually the valves will pay for themselves. I have shutoff valves on mine as well. Fill with RODI and then shut off when I mix salt. I like to keep mine full at all times. One full of RODI and one salt mix I have case of an emergency.

 

[homer1475]

Float valves on each and tees in the tubing. One will probably fill faster but eventually they will all fill. I wouldn't be without a float valve on my mixing containers. They can fail but have a better success rate than me remembering to go check them before they over flow

Exactly how I would do it.

A couple john guest T's, and 3 float valves.

No the floats aren't needed, they could just overflow onto the garage floor, but why waste the water?

Of course an ASOV valve would be needed on the RO/DI unit to shut it off also.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I connected mine with bulkheads near the bottom, to allow water addition and removal from one to add and draw from all three.

 

[jmichaelh7]

Not necessary but it makes it so you don't have to watch it. Go work, vacation etc. I not sure of your water situation but I have to pay for it and RO systems waste so much water already I figure eventually the valves will pay for themselves. I have shutoff valves on mine as well. Fill with RODI and then shut off when I mix salt. I like to keep mine full at all times. One full of RODI and one salt mix I have case of an emergency.

Exactly how I would do it.

A couple john guest T's, and 3 float valves.

No the floats aren't needed, they could just overflow onto the garage floor, but why waste the water?

Of course an ASOV valve would be needed on the RO/DI unit to shut it off also.

When the float valve shuts the RODI water off, however the water is still on from the hose, the water exit's through the drainage line of the RODI system i suppose?

Excuse me for the ignorance , i am learning as i go. I looked up a couple videos on youtube right now i think i might be using the advice with the float valves.

 

[Joe31415]

When the float valve shuts the RODI water off, however the water is still on from the hose, the water exit's through the drainage line of the RODI system i suppose?

You need something like this. It works similarly to an electrical relay. When the float blocks off the water, the pressure increase in the water line will be sensed by it and (depending on how you have it set up) it will block the water at the source.

Alternatively, you can get a valve with a timer on it or an electrically actuated valve with a standalone timer. That's what I do. I set it for X hours (or minutes) knowing that's about how long it'll take to fill whatever I'm filling without overflowing.

 

[exnisstech]

You need something like this. It works similarly to an electrical relay. When the float blocks off the water, the pressure increase in the water line will be sensed by it and (depending on how you have it set up) it will block the water at the source

This. Only $10 and pretty much must have. There are other methods as Joe stated but this is probably the cheapest and easiest and I'm all for easy. I can't help with how to plumb it in as it's been so long since I set mine up I can't remember.

 

[takitaj]

Yep, float valves and tees. Get a auto shut off valve for the RoDI so when all 3 floats shut off the back pressure will cause the RoDi to completely shut off, including the waste water. Bliss

1/4" Auto Shut Off Valve

Installation Instructions 1/4" Automatic shut off valves are used with float valves or pressurized tanks to shut off an RO system. It utilizes the back pressure created by the float valve or pressurized tank to shut off the water supply to the membrane. Without an automatic shut off valve...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[Joe31415]

Another idea is to pick up a booster pump, specifically one like the Smart Buddie that has all of this integrated right into it. It has a high pressure switch on the outlet side that will detect the float valve (or any valve) being closed and shut down the unit. Similarly, it has a low pressure switch on the supply side that can sense the water source being turned off and, again, shut down the unit.

But keep in mind (regardless of whether or not use use a booster pump) float valves can fail and it's a good idea to have another way to shut off the water. Whether it's a timer (on the pump or on the valve) or setting something up to cut off the water with an optical switch.

Personally, I use one of these. There's tons of variations (different inlet/outlet sizes, different voltages etc) so you can easily find one that suits your needs. The one I linked to runs on mains voltage so I stuck a standard plug on it and plugged it into this timer. If I want to fill my RODI bucket, I set it for 15 minutes (30, if it's low). If I'm making a new batch of saltwater, I set it to 4 hours. That's all I have to do. This type of automatic valve closes when it's removed from power (which is why the timer works) meaning I'm not risking a flood if I lose power or it gets unplugged.

I have a similar one that I use in conjunction with a pH controller. 8.3 and below and air is drawn through the CO2 scrubber. Above that and it pulls in 'unscrubbed' air so it doesn't go through media as fast.

 

[jmichaelh7]

You need something like this. It works similarly to an electrical relay. When the float blocks off the water, the pressure increase in the water line will be sensed by it and (depending on how you have it set up) it will block the water at the source.

Alternatively, you can get a valve with a timer on it or an electrically actuated valve with a standalone timer. That's what I do. I set it for X hours (or minutes) knowing that's about how long it'll take to fill whatever I'm filling without overflowing.

Yep, float valves and tees. Get a auto shut off valve for the RoDI so when all 3 floats shut off the back pressure will cause the RoDi to completely shut off, including the waste water. Bliss

1/4" Auto Shut Off Valve

Installation Instructions 1/4" Automatic shut off valves are used with float valves or pressurized tanks to shut off an RO system. It utilizes the back pressure created by the float valve or pressurized tank to shut off the water supply to the membrane. Without an automatic shut off valve...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

This is interesting I never seen this before

When the rodi system shuts off, the pressure is kept on the water hose ?

 

[Remy123]

Float valves or bulkheads to connect together so they share water. Those are probably the easiest solutions

 

[jmichaelh7]

Float valves or bulkheads to connect together so they share water. Those are probably the easiest solutions

I’m thinking of bulkheads for now and i can atleast check on the tubs to turn off my water from the main line.

Do you recommend staggering them or just straight even on the two

 

[RedReefer]

1st, relocate everything away from your breaker panel wall.

 

[Remy123]

I personally have put my bulkheads low so the two tubs fill and drain evenly

 

[427HISS]

Not necessary but it makes it so you don't have to watch it. Go work, vacation etc. I not sure of your water situation but I have to pay for it and RO systems waste so much water already I figure eventually the valves will pay for themselves. I have shutoff valves on mine as well. Fill with RODI and then shut off when I mix salt. I like to keep mine full at all times. One full of RODI and one salt mix I have case of an emergency.

I do the same. One float on the RO/DI. As a back-up I have a 1" pvc pipe about a 1/2" above the float valve, if the float fails the water will go to the other Brute. Simple and safe.