Suggestions on new Rodi

[120reefkeeper]

Ok so I'm looking to purchase a new Rodi unit and I'm looking for suggestions. I'm in the process of setting up my 120 tank and 40 gallon sump. I'm looking for a good complete kit with saddle valve etc.... As far as GPD I don't need something that produces a ton of water but enough for top off, water changes etc... Calling all suggestions! [emoji16]

 

[AZDesertRat]

Spectrapure sells everything you are looking for individually. To save costs, since not everyone wants a saddle valve or drain saddle they don't package them in a complete kit though.
Rather than a saddle tap valve you would be better off with a feed water adapter that installs on a faucet wall valve or many of us use a brass garden hose wye on the washing machine cold water supply. Neither leaves any permanent damage and are more robust and less prone to plugging and reduced flow.

 

[120reefkeeper]

Thanks for the advice! Unfortunately it would be much easier for me to use a saddle valve due to the location I'm working with. I could always cut into my copper pipes and install a wall valve etc I guess. What size spectrapure do you suggest? Do they use a DOW membrane?

 

[AZDesertRat]

Their $125 refurbished system is the best seller on all the reef forums. They have an ever better limited time deal on the same basic system but add a full set of 1 micron replacement filters, a replacement SilicaBuster DI cartridge, a low range chlorine test kit to monitor carbon block condition and a handheld TDS meter for only $35 more which an awesome deal.
Yes, they start with Dow Filmtec 75 GPD RO membranes but go further by specially treating them to improve their performance then either batch testing or individually hand testing them for quality control. With other vendors you get a dry, off the shelf untreated and untested, you get what you get membrane.
You can extend the supply line to get to a better feed configuration with little headloss. Just make sure where ever you put it it is climate controlled, away from bright direct lighting and use Cold Water Only.
I mounted mine on the wall above the laundry sink and next to the washing machine so I have a source and drain close.

 

[bevo5]

I went with the spectrapure 180gpd. It's a nice unit and those guys have always been very responsive to questions etc.

 

[AZDesertRat]

If you need a lot of RO/DI in a hurry the 180 is nice but keep in mind you need a minimum of 65 psi at the tap for any dual membrane system to operate efficiently. My second Spectrapure system was that one, the first was a MaxCap 90 and the current one is the MaxCap UHE-100 ultra low waste which produces 150 gpd at 100 psi at less than 1:1 waste ratio. Expensive but the best investment I have made in reefing in over 30 years. It paid for itself in two years due to fewer replacements and less water and sewer charges.

 

[120reefkeeper]

Excellent sounds like the company for me! I'll have to come up with some kind of plan for my feed. I have no washing machine or sink for drain in my basement. It's a totally finished basement so the best I can come up with is the main cold water feed pipe to my house and the AC floor drain coming off my furnace.

 

[120reefkeeper]

This is what I have to work with.... The drain and main cold water feed...

 

[120reefkeeper]

Both are in my utility room so These are my only options.

 

[120reefkeeper]

Where did you order your spectrapure rodi units? Directly or from a supplier??

 

[AZDesertRat]

Why not install the RO/DI on the ground floor and have your ATO or storage in the basement. It can be remote from the unit with no issues. Not sure where you are located but it might be better temperatures for making RO/DI water too.
Or if
Keep in mind, if the floor drain is a sump pump it will need to be able to keep up with the waste flow so may cycle frequently. Installing a shark bite tee and a ball valve in your copper would be pretty simple for the feed. If you have soft water available that is always a plus too as softeners do much of the work for the membrane so it lasts much longer and works much better so DI lasts longer.

 

[AZDesertRat]

I order directly from them to ensure everything is fresh. You can also check Premium Aquatics and Marine Depot, they carry Spectrapure and often have sales and reduced or free shipping but do not carry all their products such as the refurbished system or the $160 package deal with replacements.

 

[gcrawford]

Recently upgraded to a BRS 150 GPD system with booster pump. It fills a 32 gal brute in about 4-5 hrs. Mounted in the laundry to connect at the washing machine connections.

 

[120reefkeeper]

Great ideas about the laundry room! Didn't even realize until now that the laundry room is directly above the utility room so looks like you guys brought this to my attention! This would solve several issues.

1. Now I have a reliable easier hook up for feed.

2. Now I have access to a proper drain.

3. I can run my newly made water down to the utility room and into my holding containers.

I think I'll just order directly from spectrapure and save myself from dealing with third party suppliers. No sure if I'll need a booster pump or not seeing as though I'm not sure what my incoming psi is.

Don't you run into a pressure drop problem if your making water and someone runs a load of wash at the same time??

As far as my location I'm near Chicago so it does get cold here. Although my wife sees fit to keep the house a balmy 72 degrees in the winter so you can walk around in shorts in my house lol....[emoji16]

No water softener so it's hard water all the way but it's Lake Michigan water and it's very drinkable. Once I have a TDS meter I'll find out the ugly truth.

 

[AZDesertRat]

You might pick up a hosebib style pressure gauge from the garden dept at any hardware store to check your pressure. The times the washer and RO/DI are running at the same time are rare and the washer cold water fills in about a minute so no big deal. If you have 50 psi at the tap you are good but 60-80 or even higher makes the RO/DI more efficient and makes water faster too.

 

[120reefkeeper]

Yep makes sense to test my pressure first to make sure my psi is up to the task. Thanks for all the advice. Sure will make this a much easier install than I had planned. As I've heard many times two heads are better than one , but the more heads the better! Much appreciated!

 

[AZDesertRat]

If you are filling a Brute trashcan or bucket or whatever you will want to add an autoshutoff valve and float valve or solenoid valve and float switches to shut the system off when the container is full.

 

[120reefkeeper]

Agreed.. I'll be adding float shutoff. Brute trash cans is what I plan on using. [emoji16]