RO/DI Installation Question

[JDubb_4051]

Thank you in advance for your help...I've had quite a few questions posted and am probably annoying some folks

Installing my RO/DI unit today, using a Y-adaptor off my cold water washing machine line.

My question...once the stop float is installed, is there any harm in leaving the valve open so both RO/DI and Washing machine are constantly fed? I wouldn't think so other than lower possible pressure when washing machine on.

And of course assuming necessary steps are added to ensure no overflows/floods

 

[sbash]

If the 'stop float' is installed correctly (i.e. with the back pressure adapter and such), then the water should no longer be flowing.

If it is not installed incorrectly, then your waste line will continue to drip and that will likely cause your RO membrane to wear out faster.

 

[Neo Jeo]

Thank you in advance for your help...I've had quite a few questions posted and am probably annoying some folks

Installing my RO/DI unit today, using a Y-adaptor off my cold water washing machine line.

My question...once the stop float is installed, is there any harm in leaving the valve open so both RO/DI and Washing machine are constantly fed? I wouldn't think so other than lower possible pressure when washing machine on.

And of course assuming necessary steps are added to ensure no overflows/floods

You will be fine. Are you using it for water changes or ATO?

 

[Sod Buster]

That y adaptor should have little on/off thumb valves to turn. Just turn it off & leave the washer feed on.

 

[BeejReef]

How's your water pressure? That would be my main concern. Also, if your washing machine really vibrates like mine does when full of towels or jeans. The float valve shut offs do work, but everything fails in the fullness of time. If you plan to take steps to mitigate any flooding should the valve fail, I can't see the harm in it. I suppose you could end up wasting some water out the waste line if the system isn't air tight, but you'd notice that in your water bill like you would a running toilet. I like turning the valve off personally. No real reason, I just "feel better." On tanks our size, you can usually meet your needs letting it run overnight with the float valve shutoff as a backup.

 

[JDubb_4051]

Using it to keep RO reservoir full at all times. Already have ATO taken care of

LFS advised that it would be best to empty fully before refilling (to avoid TDS creep) however in all the literature and videos out there, no one seems to be concerned about that.

 

[BeejReef]

Using it to keep RO reservoir full at all times. Already have ATO taken care of

LFS advised that it would be best to empty fully before refilling (to avoid TDS creep) however in all the literature and videos out there, no one seems to be concerned about that.

The only thing I've read about is how sensitive your float valve in your reservoir is. If it's kicking your RODI on and off every time your ATO uses a mililiter of water, some say you might encounter more tds creep, or wear out your DI resin faster than necessary.

 

[JDubb_4051]

I'll have to keep an eye on that. I don't expect my RO/DI to drop small amounts. Level should only change when I need to top off my ATO reservoir and when I mix 35 gallons SW

ATO makes sense to fully drain (or pour out remaining) when I replenish. Good justification to not have this plumbed to my larger RO/DI Reservoir

You are all amazing once again...Thanks for your help

 

[Captain Quint]

Using it to keep RO reservoir full at all times. Already have ATO taken care of

LFS advised that it would be best to empty fully before refilling (to avoid TDS creep) however in all the literature and videos out there, no one seems to be concerned about that.

I do agree with the LFS advising to clean water container holds your RODI Fresh. I spray white distilled vinegar to clean out a bit of a slight film which tends to show up slightly every couple of weeks. Easy to do, then wipe out with a few paper towels.

EDIT: BTW, you are not annoying anyone whatsoever.

 

[Neo Jeo]

Using it to keep RO reservoir full at all times. Already have ATO taken care of

LFS advised that it would be best to empty fully before refilling (to avoid TDS creep) however in all the literature and videos out there, no one seems to be concerned about that.

I would say your fine. Just so no laundry stuff get's in the water. Have a top on the water at all times.

 

[Calpoly2103]

Hi all, I came across this thread and pondering some questions about an RO/DI unit we are looking to install. I am thinking to set up a BRS 5 or 6 stage filter in the garage. However my wife is requesting to utilize the unit for drinking water as well (RO - Only obviously).

I've asked a few plumbers for estimates to install a line from my future garage RO/DI unit to a sink with a drinking water small faucet.

Now I have a few concerns.

1) Does anyone have experience with splitting RO/DI unit to two RO for drinking, and DI for saltwater? Where do you keep your drinking water reservoir ? Is it plastic or glass?

2) Remineralization - I read that you want to remineralize water, however a rep from BRS said you only want to remineralize if it goes through the DI stage. If it goes through RO, i guess you don't need to remineralize it? Does it benefit to still remineralize?

3) We don't have a water softener, and our water is pretty hard. Will this matter for saltwater aquariums if it still goes through the RO/DI system?

4) Lastly, another option is this guy: https://www.amazon.com/LiquaGen-Por...01MUCW2OP/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
However this confuses me even more. The water goes through an "Alkaline/Carbon" filter before DI ! I guess this raises PH & ALK? Is this OK for salt water?


If anyone has any any thoughts regarding my above questions I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks for reading!

 

[Sod Buster]

This is on the aqua fx website. Just a ro chamber. Tee it into the waterline under the sink.

 

[Marco S]

I have my RODI setup off my washing machine line as well, (until I have time to install it in the garage). I installed several different shut offs for redundancy and so I never have to reach behind or move the washer to shut it off so I leave the Y connector always on. I have a shut off before the pump and after the RO, before the DI and after the DI at the storage container. I usually just open one line at a time when needed and close the line when I remember to avoid the pump going on and off to maintain the water level.

Here are some pics to understand better.

This connection is always open:

The connection to the pump is always open and I open and close the connections to the RO and DI as needed:

The last valve is on the storage container itself and I usually leave this open since I close the valve before the DI:

Ironically it is closed in the picture though...

I know this is probably a lot of connections, but it keeps my OCD occupied by checking all valves throughout the day.

Also, I have not noticed any difference in pressure for my washing machine, but the RODI and washing machine are never running at the same time.

Hope that helps.

 

[lapin]

I do agree with the LFS advising to clean water container holds your RODI Fresh. I spray white distilled vinegar to clean out a bit of a slight film which tends to show up slightly every couple of weeks. Easy to do, then wipe out with a few paper towels.

EDIT: BTW, you are not annoying anyone whatsoever.

Can you come clean mine. Its been a year.

Hi all, I came across this thread and pondering some questions about an RO/DI unit we are looking to install. I am thinking to set up a BRS 5 or 6 stage filter in the garage. However my wife is requesting to utilize the unit for drinking water as well (RO - Only obviously).
I've asked a few plumbers for estimates to install a line from my future garage RO/DI unit to a sink with a drinking water small faucet.
Now I have a few concerns.

Smart wife

1) Does anyone have experience with splitting RO/DI unit to two RO for drinking, and DI for saltwater? Where do you keep your drinking water reservoir ? Is it plastic or glass?

You can fill one of the 5 gallon jugs like this and just fill them when needed
https://www.amazon.com/Primo-900114...=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B00F3HD26O

2) Remineralization - I read that you want to remineralize water, however a rep from BRS said you only want to remineralize if it goes through the DI stage. If it goes through RO, i guess you don't need to remineralize it? Does it benefit to still remineralize?

Not really any difference. Just another expense.

3) We don't have a water softener, and our water is pretty hard. Will this matter for saltwater aquariums if it still goes through the RO/DI system?

No but it will shorten the life of the filters.

4) Lastly, another option is this guy: https://www.amazon.com/LiquaGen-Por...01MUCW2OP/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
However this confuses me even more. The water goes through an "Alkaline/Carbon" filter before DI ! I guess this raises PH & ALK? Is this OK for salt water?

This filter system is a dual system. It has one output for ro/di for the aquarium. The second output is for drinking water. It is plumbed to go thru the mineral restoration filter before the final drinking water output.

 

[Calpoly2103]

I have my RODI setup off my washing machine line as well, (until I have time to install it in the garage). I installed several different shut offs for redundancy and so I never have to reach behind or move the washer to shut it off so I leave the Y connector always on. I have a shut off before the pump and after the RO, before the DI and after the DI at the storage container. I usually just open one line at a time when needed and close the line when I remember to avoid the pump going on and off to maintain the water level.

Here are some pics to understand better.

This connection is always open:

The connection to the pump is always open and I open and close the connections to the RO and DI as needed:

The last valve is on the storage container itself and I usually leave this open since I close the valve before the DI:

Ironically it is closed in the picture though...

I know this is probably a lot of connections, but it keeps my OCD occupied by checking all valves throughout the day.

Also, I have not noticed any difference in pressure for my washing machine, but the RODI and washing machine are never running at the same time.

Hope that helps.

Thanks! The pics and set up does help. It looks like you have a pump (black device with red tube) to push the water? I guess it was a pretty far distance. Also, do you utilize the RO to drink, or do you only use this set up for your aquarium? Thanks !

 

[Calpoly2103]

Can you come clean mine. Its been a year.


Smart wife
You can fill one of the 5 gallon jugs like this and just fill them when needed
https://www.amazon.com/Primo-900114...=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B00F3HD26O

Not really any difference. Just another expense.

No but it will shorten the life of the filters.


This filter system is a dual system. It has one output for ro/di for the aquarium. The second output is for drinking water. It is plumbed to go thru the mineral restoration filter before the final drinking water output.

I see I see...It looks like there is a valve that will allow me to bypass the Alkalize/Carbon stage is what you are referring to? Somehow I missed this. Well, it looks like this is a pretty decent option then for a Dual Use RO/DI system.....hmm

Do you (or anyone) recommend another dual system that does the same thing, or would the reefing community deem this appropriate ?

 

[Marco S]

Thanks! The pics and set up does help. It looks like you have a pump (black device with red tube) to push the water? I guess it was a pretty far distance. Also, do you utilize the RO to drink, or do you only use this set up for your aquarium? Thanks !

Yes, that black device is a pump and the plan is to run it pretty far into the garage once I figure out how I'm going to run the lines and have time to do it, but for now it's only going into the next room.

I do utilize the RO for drinking water as well as for two heavily planted freshwater tanks. There is a splitter before the DI and one line goes to a sink for filling RO containers for drinking water and or my freshwater tanks. The other line goes to the DI unit for my saltwater aquariums. The DI line is split again and one goes to the saltwater mixing station and the other is going to go to my ATO container, (once I set it up).

 

[Calpoly2103]

Yes, that black device is a pump and the plan is to run it pretty far into the garage once I figure out how I'm going to run the lines and have time to do it, but for now it's only going into the next room.

I do utilize the RO for drinking water as well as for two heavily planted freshwater tanks. There is a splitter before the DI and one line goes to a sink for filling RO containers for drinking water and or my freshwater tanks. The other line goes to the DI unit for my saltwater aquariums. The DI line is split again and one goes to the saltwater mixing station and the other is going to go to my ATO container, (once I set it up).

Awesome, this helps quite a bit. Thanks for the input!