Rodi System Help

[rc8t6353]

What's up everyone. My local reef club had its frag swap a week or so ago and I got lucky and won a Pure Flo II 100 GPD rodi system in a raffle. Yay me !!! Lol. I got it all assembled and hung up in the laundry room. It came with a hose that attaches to a faucet and various other plastic fittings. I went and bought a "Y" with valves from Menards and attempted to hook it up to the cold side of the washing machine but is leaks everywhere. Any suggestions?

 

[DLHDesign]

Congrats on the win!

What - specifically - is leaking?

If it's the fittings near the washing machine, I would check to be sure that you have o-rings installed at all connection points and that they aren't damaged or not set in correctly (easier to just get new ones if in doubt at all).
If it's the RO/DI unit itself, be sure that all the fittings are snug, but not over-tight (plastic fittings can warp if over-tightened). Check to be sure that all of the tubing connections are pushed in as far as they will go. The canisters should have their own o-rings (about 4" diameter, I think?) that are also not torn and are installed correctly. The canisters themselves should be snug, but not overly tight (firmly hand-tighten - that wrench is for loosening, not tightening).

 

[rc8t6353]

Thanks for fast reply!! To answer your question. It leaks from the "Y" where I hook up the input. Is there an issue with the "Y" being metal and the fitting being plastic?

 

[DLHDesign]

I'm assuming you got something like this?

No; shouldn't be a problem hooking up plastic to metal. I would check the female side (the piece on your RO/DI line) to be sure that there is a washer installed. If not, you'll need something like this (they are also often black in color and may have tiny tabs to help hold them in place). These washers should be used anywhere there is a connection being made as the threads alone are not water-tight - it is the washer that prevents leaks.

You shouldn't have to really crank on the connection - no tools needed. Too tight and you could crack the plastic fitting. Might want to check for that, just in case. Also; be sure not to "cross thread" the fitting - it should turn easily at first and only feel difficult once snug.

Finally, you may have really high water pressure in your home. This is unlikely the cause, but if you've noticed that your water pressure is high, it may be pushing off the plastic fitting. As I said; this is unlikely the cause, but it's possible.

 

[rc8t6353]

That's very close to what I got. I rechecked the female side and you are not right. There was no washer on it. Thanks. One more question, is it OK to use some Teflon tape on the metal "Y"?

 

[Joey waid]

As long as you have all the washers in each one no tape is needed. It would be like putting tape on a garden hose.

 

[rc8t6353]

@DLHDesign I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to put the not in my last response. You Were absolutely right. Dang swipe on my phone. Lol

 

[DLHDesign]

No worries - I gathered as much. Agree with @Joey waid above on the tape - no need. As these are nigh-permanent connections, you could - but it's not going to do anything really beneficial.

Glad it'll get fixed!

 

[rc8t6353]

I found the washer in the box that the unit came in. Put it on and presto. No leaks!!! Thanks guys. No more toting buckets from the LFS for me !! Oh yeah one more last question, should I fill up the unit with water now or wait till I actually need to make some? Sorry for all the questions. I'm a newbie at rodi systems as you can tell lol.

 

[DLHDesign]

Nice! One less trip to Menards. ;-)

You can fill it now; won't hurt to keep it full. Keeping it wet, in fact, will likely be better for it, I'd think.

One thing you might want to invest in is a TDS meter. This meter will really help you ensure that you're system is functioning properly and will "tell you" when to change out the various filters. The meter will pay for itself in time, for sure.

 

[rc8t6353]

Thanks for all your help @DLHDesign. I'll be picking up a meter from the LFS tomorrow.

 

[Buckeye Hydro Verified Sponsor]

That system looks like an RO, not an RODI. You have a sediment filter on the right, a carbon block in the middle, and a GAC cartridge on the left.

That GAC cartridge doesn't belong.

Feel free to give us a call if you need help with set up or troubleshooting.

Russ

 

[rc8t6353]

Thanks for the offer @Buckeye Hydro. It's a four stage. There's a canister on top next to the pump. I do however want to find out about flushing and maintenance. So I'll be calling you lol !

 

[Buckeye Hydro Verified Sponsor]

Horizontal housing on top is the RO membrane.

 

[rc8t6353]

What's needed to make it a rodi system

 

[Buckeye Hydro Verified Sponsor]

A DI Stage. You could use the left hand housing and you'll need to reroute some tubing.

 

[rvlcf]

Not positive, but I think you want to run the first few hours of a new system and toss the water.

 

[Buckeye Hydro Verified Sponsor]

Best to do the rinse up of a new system stage by stage...

 

[rc8t6353]

@rvlcf I've heard that too so I'll be tossing the water down the drain for the first few buckets. Or at least till my TDS meter reads it's lowest. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[Buckeye Hydro Verified Sponsor]

Download the instructions from our website re initial rinse up of new systems. Don't just discard the first few gallons!