Pimp out my RODI system

[Daniel Doherty]

Hey everyone,
Greetings from Ireland. I am a reefer on a budget who's still in University, so please excuse the dodgy DIY and budget tactics. I am currently on placement for my masters, so will finally have bit more money to spend on my hobby. One of the first jobs I want to get done is to upgrade my RODI system. This is my current setup, which leaves a lot to be desired! My water comes in with a TDS of 330tds, and it only really stays at 0 for a very brief period, before going up to 2-4 where it stabilises for a while.
I've identified some non-ideals with it, and would love some advice on how to tackle them. First off, my pressure is usually only at 15-30 psi, so I definitely need a booster pump. What models do people recommend, and where do I place it? I'm also wondering if I should add morecompartments. I'm thinking I could pick some up cheap second hand and run more blocks.
The other thing is installing a flush line, at the moment I don't have one.
Last but not least is a shut off float valve to switch it off, and a storage container.
Any advice at all would be fantastic!

 

[Crabs McJones]

You could add a booster pump, it gets installed in line to the ro unit. 60 psi in is ideal. And add a mixed bed di after the ro unit to keep your water at 0 tds. There are many online stores that sell flush line kits. Being in Ireland im unsure of suppliers near you or that ship to you though
Here's my monster setup lol

 

[Daniel Doherty]

Fantastic. Thanks for the advice. So just simply install the pump anywhere before the first cartridge?
I’m thinking I’ll add more compartments just like yours. How do store the resin inside them? I’ve been using “triton Di resin” it’d be handy to have two compartments of it so one gets exhausted before the other. Do you just pack it in, or do you need any cartridges or anything like that ?
Also, do you have a flushing line or do you bother with that?
Many thanks

 

[Crabs McJones]

Fantastic. Thanks for the advice. So just simply install the pump anywhere before the first cartridge?
I’m thinking I’ll add more compartments just like yours. How do store the resin inside them? I’ve been using “triton Di resin” it’d be handy to have two compartments of it so one gets exhausted before the other. Do you just pack it in, or do you need any cartridges or anything like that ?
Also, do you have a flushing line or do you bother with that?
Many thanks

Yup the booster gets installed before the system. The di canisters have refillable cartridges inside them for the di resin. It does have a flush line with an auto stop valve built in

 

[mfinn]

Maybe @Buckeye Hydro has some advice.

 

[KStatefan]

Booster pump right in front of the membrane. Upgrade to DI section.

 

[Buckeye Hydro Verified Sponsor]

Contrary to the advice above:

1. YES - you absolutely need a booster pump. The ideal place to install it is AFTER all prefilters but before the membrane. Here's a schematic:

2. 60 psi supplied to the membrane is not "ideal." Filmtec membranes are spec'ed at 50 psi. As long as you put the booster pump after the prefilters, take full advantage of the pump and crank it up to 85'ish psi.

 

[Uncle99]

System looks fine and appears to function normally if you can bring 330 to 4 after membrane. The final stage is a “polisher” which makes the 4, zero. I get no added value from duplication of DI.

What TDS value do get just after membrane but before your DI stage?

Is that DI on your system mounted horizontally?

 

[afboundguy]

I have about 350 TDS from my feed line and I have gone a tad over the top. 20 micron pre-filter followed by a sediment and carbon block set of each of the following: 5 micron, 1 micron and 0.5 micron with a dual 75 GPD RO setup and a triple resin (cation, anion and then mixed bed) setup. I have about 0-5 TDS after the RO membrane with 60-65 psi. I just ordered an Smart Buddie to get my PSI up.

I have Hydros auto-flushing membrane and I run TDS meters before prefilters, after prefilters/before RO, after RO/before resin and then final output. I also use the Hydros TDS meter to control system to shut off if it gets above 0 TDS.

I went this crazy as my water rates in my town are insanely high (and dirty) and I want to limit waste water as much as possible.

 

[Daniel Doherty]

Wow, what a setup!
Thanks everyone for the advice. I’ve got a new 5 stage system with a booster pump that I picked up from a guy moving abroad for 70 euro.
I’ll be running this in-line with my old system, hopefully this’ll do the job.
I’ll keep ye updated! Thanks.