RO/DI Question

GoGoGeeba · Jul 16, 2016

OK guys and gals I am looking to purchase a RO/DI unit soon. I don't have enough moolah to buy a unit for the aquarium and a unit for drinking water, so I have to buy one to kill 2 birds with 1 stone. I plan on bypassing the DI resin for the drinking water and using the DI resin for the aquarium. I was eyeing this unit. http://spectrapure.com/RO-RODI/RODI-SYSTEMS/6-Stage-Chloramine-Removal-RO-DI-System-w-SilicaBuster-MaxCap-DI I figure I need something that has a separate DI unit. I was wondering if it's hard to set that up? What extra parts would I need and what's a good RO/DI unit to accomplish this. Thank you!!

Untamedrose · Jul 16, 2016

Things to take note...aka stuff I missed.

MY RODI unit came with 3/4 connectors for the sink...my sink was 1/4...two trips to lowes.
It came with fancy spout for the sink that was smaller then the hole in the sink...trip t0 lowes.
Dont count on the tank being pressurised....might say it is..it isnt...trip to lowes.

But I spent a 100 less(before trips to lowes) then that on ebay about broke even assuming above isnt a cost issue but IDK.

Also buckets.... need extra 5 gal buckets if your going to mix in the kitchen.

KJAG · Jul 16, 2016

Its as simple as adding a couple push lock 1/4 ball valves to isolate the RO from the DI. You may end up needing a booster pump however with 6 stages, depending on your pressure out of your tap. I personally replaced the stock ball valves with Merlok valves. Way higher quality/smoother operation..

AZDesertRat · Jul 16, 2016

You don't need a chloramine carbon and you don't need a separate DI. Stick with the most popular unit on the have here:
http://spectrapure.com/Refurbished-90-GPD-RODI-System
and on sale for only $112.
And get yourself an add on drinking water kit here:
http://purelyh2o.com/store/ro-di-system-add-on-kit/33-drinking-water-add-on.html
for only $70.
Add a 1/4" check valve found at either vendor for less than $10 and plumb it like this, paying attention to the placement of the check valve to isolate the pressurized RO drinking water from the DI:
http://spectrapure.com/huds/4-STAGE-DWK-RODI-NAG.pdf

Less than $200 and you have the best of both worlds, a true reef quality RO/DI system and a drinking water system too. The only other thing you will want is a ATC temperature compensated handheld TDS meter such as the HM Digital TDS-3, TDS-4TM or AP-1, all can be had for less than $30 most places.

Breadman03 · Jul 16, 2016

@AZDesertRat said it well. I've been running a BRS unit with Spectrapure internals for several years quite happily. There is no need for seperate filter systems. Just tap off the RO line for the drinking water. I've kept a family of 6 watered quite well.