Drip RODI?

Indytraveler83 · May 31, 2019

Long story short, I don’t have a good way to connect an RODI system to a pressurized water source for any real length of time.

Is there any RODI or type of filtration system I can run on a drip or gravity feed system without being connected to a water line that will allow me to make tap water suitable for my tank?

Montiman · May 31, 2019

You can drip through the DI alone but it will eat up your resin fast. Best to get a booster pump to increase the pressure.

Indytraveler83 · May 31, 2019

Montiman said:
You can drip through the DI alone but it will eat up your resin fast. Best to get a booster pump to increase the pressure.

So I could fill a large container with tap water, plumb the booster pump and RODI from it to another container, and that would work?

Jinko · May 31, 2019

Indytraveler83 said:
So I could fill a large container with tap water, plumb the booster pump and RODI from it to another container, and that would work?

I think they meant the booster pump will increase your existing tap pressure to work with a RO system.
Can you not buy RO water from your local fish store?

The issue with using just DI resin is that you will burn through it quickly, so would also need a carbon stage and Pre filter stage wouldn't hurt either, but depending on your TDS your resin could run out fast.

burnetb1 · May 31, 2019

I dont think a booster pump would do it. Booster pumps generally require a minimum amount of pressure to operate so unless you are going to have a large vertical distance between the tank and the RODI unit, a booster pump probably wont be enough. I don't see why you couldn't buy a different pump that is capable of building enough pressure for the RODI to operate. Maybe something like this?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Flojet-Flojet-12V-2-9-GPM-50-PSI-Water-Pump-Flojet-Pump/206855138

Indytraveler83 · May 31, 2019

Jinko said:
I think they meant the booster pump will increase your existing tap pressure to work with a RO system.
Can you not buy RO water from your local fish store?

The closest store I can buy it from is Petco, which is about 30 min away, and expensive.

I’m also hoping to dramatically upsize my freshwater system, and keep more sensitive fish than I currently do. I’m trying to see if making my own RODI would be better in the long run.

Indytraveler83 · May 31, 2019

burnetb1 said:
I dont think a booster pump would do it. Booster pumps generally require a minimum amount of pressure to operate so unless you are going to have a large vertical distance between the tank and the RODI unit, a booster pump probably wont be enough. I don't see why you couldn't buy a different pump that is capable of building enough pressure for the RODI to operate. Maybe something like this?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Flojet-Flojet-12V-2-9-GPM-50-PSI-Water-Pump-Flojet-Pump/206855138

That’s a really good idea, though I do wonder if those types of pumps can handle running behind an RODI only, without burning out. Anyone have experience with this type of thing?

Opus · May 31, 2019

Maybe we need the long story and we can help you out there?

Other option is to contact Russ at Buckeye Hydro. If he can't figure something out then I don't know who can.

http://www.buckeyehydro.com/

burnetb1 · May 31, 2019

I didn't consider the wear on the pump... yeah, that would be really hard on it. Unless you buy an expensive pump designed for back-pressure and at that point you might as well figure out how to hook it up to a water line anyway.

Indytraveler83 · May 31, 2019

Opus said:
Maybe we need the long story and we can help you out there?

Other option is to contact Russ at Buckeye Hydro. If he can't figure something out then I don't know who can.

http://www.buckeyehydro.com/

The long story is that the house has very few Faucets (small kitchen, small bathroom) and both have non-standard faucets that you can’t just screw a fitting into. The better half isn’t going to let me stick a large tank in either room for hours on end to get water, and take up the space and faucet.

My idea, is if I can fill a large container up in the garage (which has no nearby plumbing), then I can take up the space/time needed for an RODI.

The key though, is for a system like this to be cheaper than just buying RODI at the store.

Opus · May 31, 2019

Do you have a laundry room?

Opus · May 31, 2019

How is the plumping under the sinks? Do they have a screw on connection at the wall or is it old copper pipping?

Indytraveler83 · May 31, 2019

Opus said:
Do you have a laundry room?

Nope. Washer and dryer are just on the edge of the kitchen. While I might be able to get away with hijacking that connection for a time, I still won’t have a place to put anything.

And under the sink is old copper piping

Indytraveler83 · May 31, 2019

Getting back to an earlier response, how effective is an RODI system without pressure? If I ran it off gravity only, would it be worth it? Or would the quality be bad and the system be too inefficient to be cost effective?

Jinko · May 31, 2019

Outside tap?
You could get a garden tap to RO convertor and run a length of tube to the garage.

burnetb1 · May 31, 2019

RODI systems require water pressure to force the water through the membrane, so with no pressure a RODI wouldn't be very effective at all...

If you wanted to use gravity for the pressure I can give you the calculation to find out how tall of a tower you have to build on to your house for the tank to set on... but I think your SO would like that less than some slight home modifications to hook up RODI to your water lines.

Indytraveler83 · May 31, 2019

burnetb1 said:
RODI systems require water pressure to force the water through the membrane, so with no pressure a RODI wouldn't be very effective at all...

If you wanted to use gravity for the pressure I can give you the calculation to find out how tall of a tower you have to build on to your house for the tank to set on... but I think your SO would like that less than some slight home modifications to hook up RODI to your water lines.

lol. Now I wanna build a water tower just in spite!

Again this is all based on being cheaper than just buying RODI and mixing it myself... which is starting to sound like the cheapest option.

Eagle_Steve · May 31, 2019

there are numerous things you can do with what you have and the existing piping. A small waterline from a faucet feed to the garage via an attic or crawlspace and then to an rodi unit would work. I have a unit that runs off my bathroom sink. It uses one of those ice maker quick connects that pierces the feed line. 1/4" hose runs to the garage via the crawlspace and the rodi unit is there. The unit is only a 100 gpd unit and is used for my koi pond top off, but it has been used numerous times to make water for others who were moving or had tank issues. Just have to hook the DI back up as I do not use DI for the pond, just RO only.

Indytraveler83 · May 31, 2019

Eagle_Steve said:
there are numerous things you can do with what you have and the existing piping. A small waterline from a faucet feed to the garage via an attic or crawlspace and then to an rodi unit would work. I have a unit that runs off my bathroom sink. It uses one of those ice maker quick connects that pierces the feed line. 1/4" hose runs to the garage via the crawlspace and the rodi unit is there. The unit is only a 100 gpd unit and is used for my koi pond top off, but it has been used numerous times to make water for others who were moving or had tank issues. Just have to hook the DI back up as I do not use DI for the pond, just RO only.

Does that 1/4 in line provide enough pressure for the RODI to work well?

Eagle_Steve · May 31, 2019

It makes about 4 gallons an hour, so very close to a 100 per day. My water pressure at the house is 70 and it is 70 at the unit as well. Volume is the key for the feed as pressure will be maintained and I say with about 40’ of 1/4” line it does well.