Spectrapure RODI and water storage?

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Slammed01

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Hello all,

Plan on running a Spectrapure refurb 90 RODI in my garage for topoff's and to mix my salt for my 46 gallon bowfront. Save money and time since the closest store is 20+ miles for premixed and I think my local water store is only RO which may be the reason for phophates.

I'm going to run the RODI from my water softener house spicket to a 18G Brute that I was going to have RODI water go into with a float valve, ASO and 2.1 water saver (i believe they call it) and a TDS TRM-1 meter.

From there I was going to siphon out into 5 gallon home depot buckets to mix salt and also to alhambra 5g jugs for top offs (usually top off 3-5 gallons a week) to conserve space so I dont have 2 brute cans.

Is it best to raise (cinder blocks?) the Brute can so I can to some type of valve on the bottom for ease? What parts would I need to accomplish this and be leak proof? Whats the best way to drill thru a brute can for float valve as well? I look forward to saving time and money!

Also which is more popular/better for my situation above:

We have hard water but I have a softener with RODI will be off of.

BRS 75 5 stage $179.99
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-5-stage-chloramines-ro-di-system-75gpd.html

Dual inline TDS $29.99
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/dual-inline-tds-meter-dm-1-hm-digital.html

Float valve $11.99
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reverse-osmosis-float-valve.html

BRS approx $222.xx


Spectrapure refurb 90 GPD $139..
http://spectrapure.com/FACTORY-REFURBISHED/Refurbished-90-GPD-RODI-System

HM Digital TRM-1 In-Line 3-Probe TDS Meter w/ 1/4in Quick-Connect Fittings $44.00
http://spectrapure.com/HM-Digital-TRM-1-In-Line-3-Probe-TDS-Meter-w-1-4-in-Quick-Connect Fittings


Low Waste Manual Membrane Flush Valve Kit - $39.00
http://spectrapure.com/AQUARIUM/MEM...ne-Flush-Valve-Kit-For-90-GPD-RO-RODI-Systems

Spectrapure $212.00


then the BRS uni-seal 3/4"
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/uniseal-5.html

get 3/4" PVC,valve and 90* elbow at Home Depot?

Whats the line size for the RODI's for a seal? Do I need a seal for the float valve as well?

Thanks all, so new to me been reading alot though! :)

sorry all new to me! :)<br/>
 
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Avast
You have a water softener to take care of your calcium carbonate hardness and that is excellent but what is your TDS? For a low waste system to both work well and last as it should you need both soft water and lower than normal TDS.

I would always choose the Spectrapure systems over the others due to their better filters, treated and tested membranes and custom blended reef specific DI resins, they all add up to a lower cost of ownership.

I set up a 23 gallon Rubbermaid recycling can similar to what you propose. The RO lines are 1/4" and you can find bulkhead type fittings that work for that, mine came from Spectrapure . I built a wooden stand about 24" high the storage its on so Ican gravity feed RO/DI into buckets or 5G jugs via a 3/4" ball valve. A Uniseal is a great way to plumb the valve in so it does not leak. I think I used a wood spade drill bit for the plastic. The 1/4" bulkheads can be seen close to the top and bottom in the photo, they ar push to connect john guest type fittings. The small valve at the bottom was replaced by the 3/4" ball valve with a barbed nipple and 18" of 3/4" clear tubing for quicker bucket fills. I use float switches and a solenoid valve instead of a float valvefor reliability and note how they are 12" apart so TDS creep is not an issue. The level drops 11 gallons before the RO/DI comes on again to refill.

I would pass on the inline TDS meter and get a good temperature compensated handheld instead. More accurate and more versatile allowing you to test anywhere you want including tap, RO only, RO/DI, ATO storage, LFS, bottled etc. The inlines lack ATC so are not as accurate, are dedicated to two or three specific spots and cannot be used portable.

 
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Thank you! I saw some threads from you while searching too =) . Where did you get the recycling 23 gallon storage? Food grade so it's safe, I like how it doesn't have a big footprint & take alot of room. I will get the spectrapure, now just the little details lol! Dobson use the handheld tds? How do float switches/solenoids work/install!? Where to buy? Thank you!!!
 
Tidal Gardens
I bought the an at Home Depot, they have them out on the shelf in the landscape area. The only drawback is the rectangular shape wants to bulge out on top unless
you don't fill it as full or you either install it so it fits snug between something on each side as I did or build a small frame that slips under the top rim so it holds its shape.

The float switches and solenoid are Spectrapure as pictured here:
Dual Float Solenoid Valve Controller Assy w/ 1/4in Sol Valve
and the owners manual
http://spectrapure.com/manuals/LLC-MANUAL.pdf page 20-22

I have two of the dual inline TDS meters but never use them as they never agree with my HM Digital AP-1 or COM-100 handhelds. I wouldn't waste money on one but my MaxCap UHE came with them.
 
+1 for spectrapure. Have used them for years and years. They are def the leaders in the industry. Make sure you get a high quality rodi unit, it will save future headaches. I currently use the 90 gallon a day spectrapure refurb rodi, works great. I had a 60 gpd unit years ago also
 
Thank you, yikes $170 I may have to run reg float now and do that one later! Luckily It's in my garage and don't plan on running it all the time.
 
Deltec
If you use the float valve, fill the can until the float stops it then shut the RO/DI off for a few days or longer or use enough of the water so the level drops at least 5 gallons or more before turning it back on again too fille. The main issue with float valves is they have such a short distance between off and on, they cycle often which leads to TDS creep issues, a clogged membrane, short DI life and lower water quality since every short spurt in the beginning will contain higher TDS from the creep. By allowing it to make less frequent, longer filter runs you lessen the effect.
 
AZDesertRat said:
If you use the float valve, fill the can until the float stops it then shut the RO/DI off for a few days or longer or use enough of the water so the level drops at least 5 gallons or more before turning it back on again too fille. The main issue with float valves is they have such a short distance between off and on, they cycle often which leads to TDS creep issues, a clogged membrane, short DI life and lower water quality since every short spurt in the beginning will contain higher TDS from the creep. By allowing it to make less frequent, longer filter runs you lessen the effect.
Click to expand...

Sounds good, I'd prob fill by water storage and some 5 gallon jugs and be good for 2-3 weeks easy and would shut it off. Really wouldn't want the spicket running constant, that would freak me out a lil lol.
 
Orphek OR3 reef aquarium LED bar
Yep that is the one. I like the TDS-3, TDS-4TM or AP-1 in that price range. Good deal on the salt!
 
If your souce of water is Metropolitan Water Dist. of Southern California and Colorado River water then I say yes it is worth it. Colorado River water is extremely hard, high TDS and contains things like traces of rocket fuels etc that are tough on a normal RO/DI.
I use the MaxCap myself and wouldn't even consider going back to anything else and I have owned 6 RO or RO/DI systems over the last 20 years.

You really need to know your TDS, hardness and pressure before buying any RO/DI system as these will influence the purchase.
 
Tidal Gardens
AZDesertRat said:
If your souce of water is Metropolitan Water Dist. of Southern California and Colorado River water then I say yes it is worth it. Colorado River water is extremely hard, high TDS and contains things like traces of rocket fuels etc that are tough on a normal RO/DI.
I use the MaxCap myself and wouldn't even consider going back to anything else and I have owned 6 RO or RO/DI systems over the last 20 years.

You really need to know your TDS, hardness and pressure before buying any RO/DI system as these will influence the purchase.
Click to expand...

Just talked to our local water store, they said Water Tds is 200-300 and hardness can range from 10-20 depending on where it's from.

Not too bad, said I can take them some for a sample too.
 
The average TDS around the Country is about 250 so you are right in there. Some places like in the Pacific Northwest are as low as 50 while the Desert Southwest can go over 1200.
Your water is moderately hard at 10-20 grains so the softener is a wise investment.
 
Excellent think I'll order the 4 stage tonight =). I'm thinking since the water store said they have old pipes and there tds is around 600 and only running RO is prob my main algae issue...
 
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Ordering tonight or in the AM,

AZDesertRat-

Is the low waste manual flush a waste, any benefit? Should I just get the float valve assembly without the flush?

Spectrapure refurb 90 GPD $139..
http://spectrapure.com/FACTORY-REFUR...PD-RODI-System

HM Digital TRM-1 In-Line 3-Probe TDS Meter w/ 1/4in Quick-Connect Fittings $44.00 **(plan to add a handheld as well)
http://spectrapure.com/HM-Digital-TR...ect%20Fittings


Low Waste Manual Membrane Flush Valve Kit - $39.00
http://spectrapure.com/AQUARIUM/MEMB...O-RODI-Systems
 
If you are using softened water and have low to normal TDS which we think you do, then yes, get the low waste kit. Its less about the flush valve and more about the restrictors and hardness test. It will come with two different restrictors, one for 3:1 and one for 2:1 and a water hardness test. Depending on the hardness and TDS you will use the 3:1 or the 2:1 flow restrictor. If you did not have both soft water and low TDS then my answer would be no, the worst thing you could do would be to reduce the waste ratio and your membrane would not last as long, driving the cost of ownership up and water quality down.

The inline TDS meter is up to you but I wouldn't do it myself, I have two of the duals and never even look at them. Once you get the handheld you will be the same, they just are not that accurate and should only be used as a guide.
 
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Nutramar Foods
AZDesertRat said:
If you are using softened water and have low to normal TDS which we think you do, then yes, get the low waste kit. Its less about the flush valve and more about the restrictors and hardness test. It will come with two different restrictors, one for 3:1 and one for 2:1 and a water hardness test. Depending on the hardness and TDS you will use the 3:1 or the 2:1 flow restrictor. If you did not have both soft water and low TDS then my answer would be no, the worst thing you could do would be to reduce the waste ratio and your membrane would not last as long, driving the cost of ownership up and water quality down.

The inline TDS meter is up to you but I wouldn't do it myself, I have two of the duals and never even look at them. Once you get the handheld you will be the same, they just are not that accurate and should only be used as a guide.
Click to expand...


I added everything to my cart and checked Marine Depot real quick! It shows 20-40 GPD but dropdown shows 90.

Is this the same unit as the refurb 90? It has all the things I was looking at purchasing, TDS and float for $227.xx even cheaper than Spectrapure, just want to confirm its the same unit :)

SpectraPure® CSPDI RO/DI System w/ Manual Membrane Flush
 
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