RODI system questions

[Reefer82]

People get hung up on the waste water issue. It's waste water but not  wasted. It served a purpose in producing the DI water you needed and likely is being returned to the sewer system in better condition (filtered) than you got it in albeit higher TDS.

It doesn't sound like you have a crazy huge system and we aren't talking 100k gallons going to drain or anything. The adapter in that Amazon link is a good, easy to install idea for what it sounds like in your situation. If you'd rather replace the entire valve under sink you can get them with the 1/4 fitting and a 3/8 to your faucet without the adapter. Basically a dual output ball valve. There are drain saddle adapters available to make it easy to plumbing into the existing sink drain. Only basic tools/skill necessary.

The BRS units are well built and reliable. I've had a BRS 6 stage for years that used to support my 100G, 40G, and 20G frag tank. I upgraded it a bit with the Spectrapure ultra high rejection membrane, nicer TDS meters that don't use button cells and have much larger displays and added a 3rd DI canister because someone gave me one and figured why not. It's extremely efficient in terms of cost/gal produced. I don't notice the water bill chance even when doing a couple hundred gallons a month, I used to make water for a couple locals at times in addion to my own needs.

I took some time out of the hobby when the kids were born but our oldest is starting their first nano tank and I am getting the BRS ro/di back in action with a new set of filters, O rings and sanitizing it from being on storage for so long but fully expect it to work as great as it once did.

I had an RO buddy once, I gave it away. It lower cost but significantly higher long term unless you're just making water for a 10g or something very low use. Filters aren't readily available if one is needed unexpectedly in most cases and not as easy if you want to plumb in anything else like a drinking water output due to the compact configuration.

One suggestion I might make is consider the Value Plus system. The pressure gauge is nice to have an easy visual on performance. The addition of the flush kit will greatly extend DI resin life by eliminating the TDS surge you get each time you turn it on. I've seen TDS as high as 150 on my output while flushing. Normally my membrane is sending like 2-3 to the DI so that surge is significant when you consider how many times you start and stop your RO throughout the life of it.

Obviously you have a budget and have to get what makes sense and can add these items later but likely at higher overall cost than up front. It's an expensive hobby and anything you can do from an efficiency standpoint pays off in spades over time.

 

[SaltWaterTank_Noob]

People get hung up on the waste water issue. It's waste water but not  wasted. It served a purpose in producing the DI water you needed and likely is being returned to the sewer system in better condition (filtered) than you got it in albeit higher TDS.

It doesn't sound like you have a crazy huge system and we aren't talking 100k gallons going to drain or anything. The adapter in that Amazon link is a good, easy to install idea for what it sounds like in your situation. If you'd rather replace the entire valve under sink you can get them with the 1/4 fitting and a 3/8 to your faucet without the adapter. Basically a dual output ball valve. There are drain saddle adapters available to make it easy to plumbing into the existing sink drain. Only basic tools/skill necessary.

The BRS units are well built and reliable. I've had a BRS 6 stage for years that used to support my 100G, 40G, and 20G frag tank. I upgraded it a bit with the Spectrapure ultra high rejection membrane, nicer TDS meters that don't use button cells and have much larger displays and added a 3rd DI canister because someone gave me one and figured why not. It's extremely efficient in terms of cost/gal produced. I don't notice the water bill chance even when doing a couple hundred gallons a month, I used to make water for a couple locals at times in addion to my own needs.

I took some time out of the hobby when the kids were born but our oldest is starting their first nano tank and I am getting the BRS ro/di back in action with a new set of filters, O rings and sanitizing it from being on storage for so long but fully expect it to work as great as it once did.

I had an RO buddy once, I gave it away. It lower cost but significantly higher long term unless you're just making water for a 10g or something very low use. Filters aren't readily available if one is needed unexpectedly in most cases and not as easy if you want to plumb in anything else like a drinking water output due to the compact configuration.

One suggestion I might make is consider the Value Plus system. The pressure gauge is nice to have an easy visual on performance. The addition of the flush kit will greatly extend DI resin life by eliminating the TDS surge you get each time you turn it on. I've seen TDS as high as 150 on my output while flushing. Normally my membrane is sending like 2-3 to the DI so that surge is significant when you consider how many times you start and stop your RO throughout the life of it.

Obviously you have a budget and have to get what makes sense and can add these items later but likely at higher overall cost than up front. It's an expensive hobby and anything you can do from an efficiency standpoint pays off in spades over time.

Thanks for all that! But yes, the value plus was the one that I was going to go for because it was on sale for the same price as the normal one but it went out of stock but that's the one I'm leaning to right now cause it comes with the TDS reader, pressure gauage and flush valve.

 

[ScottJ]

I do but my washer/dryer are downstairs so I wanted to do this upstairs. A drain for what?

You need a drain for the waste water. Otherwise, it will get all over the floor

Later today I will take pictures of what I have. It's about as simple as it gets. No plumbing involved. Easy!

This is really a very simple thing, it's just a water filter!

 

[SaltWaterTank_Noob]

You need a drain for the waste water. Otherwise, it will get all over the floor

Later today I will take pictures of what I have. It's about as simple as it gets. No plumbing involved. Easy!

This is really a very simple thing, it's just a water filter!

The sink that the RODI system is attached to could be a drain as well right?
Ok thank you

 

[Freenow54]

Yeah, sounds like too much to do in my case

That is too bad hope you make out. Maybe a friend? Cant make any sense out of ***** in next post. They don't know what kind of valve you have oh well

 

[Freenow54]

People get hung up on the waste water issue. It's waste water but not  wasted. It served a purpose in producing the DI water you needed and likely is being returned to the sewer system in better condition (filtered) than you got it in albeit higher TDS.

It doesn't sound like you have a crazy huge system and we aren't talking 100k gallons going to drain or anything. The adapter in that Amazon link is a good, easy to install idea for what it sounds like in your situation. If you'd rather replace the entire valve under sink you can get them with the 1/4 fitting and a 3/8 to your faucet without the adapter. Basically a dual output ball valve. There are drain saddle adapters available to make it easy to plumbing into the existing sink drain. Only basic tools/skill necessary.

The BRS units are well built and reliable. I've had a BRS 6 stage for years that used to support my 100G, 40G, and 20G frag tank. I upgraded it a bit with the Spectrapure ultra high rejection membrane, nicer TDS meters that don't use button cells and have much larger displays and added a 3rd DI canister because someone gave me one and figured why not. It's extremely efficient in terms of cost/gal produced. I don't notice the water bill chance even when doing a couple hundred gallons a month, I used to make water for a couple locals at times in addion to my own needs.

I took some time out of the hobby when the kids were born but our oldest is starting their first nano tank and I am getting the BRS ro/di back in action with a new set of filters, O rings and sanitizing it from being on storage for so long but fully expect it to work as great as it once did.

I had an RO buddy once, I gave it away. It lower cost but significantly higher long term unless you're just making water for a 10g or something very low use. Filters aren't readily available if one is needed unexpectedly in most cases and not as easy if you want to plumb in anything else like a drinking water output due to the compact configuration.

One suggestion I might make is consider the Value Plus system. The pressure gauge is nice to have an easy visual on performance. The addition of the flush kit will greatly extend DI resin life by eliminating the TDS surge you get each time you turn it on. I've seen TDS as high as 150 on my output while flushing. Normally my membrane is sending like 2-3 to the DI so that surge is significant when you consider how many times you start and stop your RO throughout the life of it.

Obviously you have a budget and have to get what makes sense and can add these items later but likely at higher overall cost than up front. It's an expensive hobby and anything you can do from an efficiency standpoint pays off in spades over time.

At least 3 gallons per 1 gallon of RO. The Waste again Waste I did not name it does go to the sewer. Where it goes to be treated regardless of condition needlessly. That cost everyone in tax dollars, and is a footprint on the ecology. People have to quit thinking of themselves. As far as cost to your water bill. I have not the exact calculation but here its a percentage of your water usage. Usually at least here 40%. Feel sorry for your children and their future world ( seriously ) not an attack.( kids are goats lol ). Anyone ever think since now we know the situation and they don't feel comfortable doing any mechanical work which Personally I think is great that they are not ashamed to admit any limitations. Anyway why don't you just buy it from your fish store?

 

[ScottJ]

OK, this is my very janky water making system. It has grown over the last 5 years, like everything does I make between 10 and 30 gallons a week for top off and water changes. I run 3 tanks, 15, 30 and 55 gallons. Everything is in my basement and shares space in my shop.

I use an RO Buddie 50GPD. I added the booster pump this winter. It took about 4 hours to make 4 gallons without it. Now I get 5 gallons in 2.5 hours, nice!

I know there is a lot of hate on here for these filters. I started out with the small tank, and I couldn't justify a $200 filter at that time.

I refill the DI with bulk resin, and change the carbon and sediment filters every 6 months (a single frag can cost more than those 2 cartridges together, so I'm not loosing any sleep over it) I'm on my 2nd membrane in 5 years. I get 0 TDS out of the membrane, before the DI.

That said, will I ever get a fancier filter? Knowing me, probably. Will I NEED it? No. It sits on my laundry tub. The waste water goes out that red tube to the left down the drain. I rigged up a little stand for the filter out of scrap wood. I run it into a 5 gallon water jug I got off Amazon. (I think it's called a Headpac)

This is the Y off the washer hook up. One side to the filter, other to the washer. No tools needed! The parts to hook up to some common water supply's (should) come with the filter.

This is my very fancy Salt Mixing Station! It's a work bench that used to be home to a scroll saw. Now the saw lives under the bench LOL. I mix saltwater in this 5 gal jug, with a little pump and a small (25W I think) preset heater. I let it mix overnight (or longer) I either bring the whole jug up stairs, or just fill up a couple 1 gallon water jugs, depending on how much saltwater I need for my water change.

This is my high tech fresh water storage system. I got a couple bucket spigots so I can fill up the 1 gallon jugs from the 5 gallon buckets. My wife only drinks spring water. She's very fancy! So I reuse some jugs to bring water upstairs for top offs. I fill up a few at a time to fill the 3 ATOs. I like to keep 3 or 4 buckets full of fresh water.

I like to do all the water making in the basement, mostly because I don't want, or have room for, all the junk in the kitchen. Bringing up what I need isn't a big deal, and I'm old and have really bad knees!

I think it would be really inconvenient to have it under my sink. The older I get, the less I like to bend down to get stuff. If I could have it all in the garage, I would. But it was 9° here this morning. So...

I hope this helps with some of the confusion!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

At least 3 gallons per 1 gallon of RO. The Waste again Waste I did not name it does go to the sewer. Where it goes to be treated regardless of condition needlessly. That cost everyone in tax dollars, and is a footprint on the ecology. People have to quit thinking of themselves. As far as cost to your water bill. I have not the exact calculation but here its a percentage of your water usage. Usually at least here 40%. Feel sorry for your children and their future world ( seriously ) not an attack.( kids are goats lol ). Anyone ever think since now we know the situation and they don't feel comfortable doing any mechanical work which Personally I think is great that they are not ashamed to admit any limitations. Anyway why don't you just buy it from your fish store?

I certainly do not want to be in the position of suggesting anyone waste water, but not all people are in a scenario where using water and sending it down the drain is a waste at all. For example, if you get water from your own well and send waste into a septic system, it recharges the ground water.

I agree that environmental consequences of our actions are critical (it's why I took down my last tank 8 years ago, in large part from electricity use, and why i installed solar panels), but I'd choose to not have a reef tank at all before I used an RO/DI that sent used water back into the potable water system.

 

[Freenow54]

I certainly do not want to be in the position of suggesting anyone waste water, but not all people are in a scenario where using water and sending it down the drain is a waste at all. For example, if you get water from your own well and send waste into a septic system, it recharges the ground water.

I agree that environmental consequences of our actions are critical (it's why I took down my last tank 8 years ago, in large part from electricity use, and why i installed solar panels), but I'd choose to not have a reef tank at all before I used an RO/DI that sent used water back into the potable water system.

Around me the municipality adds water charges into taxes. Do you believe that

 

[dkline]

Hello all, so I am needing to install a RODI system, based on conversations with members on here, I'm stuck between 2 options (my display tank is only 55gallons and sump is only 20gallons) the Aqautic Life RODI buddie 4 stage 50GPD (which ive heard is good but the filters are supposedly expensive when having to replace but if you can link the cost of the filters on their own because the ones im finding are like $10 so i think its the wrong ones) or the BRS 4 stage 75GPD value RODI system (also would like to see how much the filters are to replace on this system)?
I have attached a picture of my water readings, I'm unsure if this means that it's chlorine and chlormine free or if it uses chlorine to free the water of contaminants. I've been told that this matters and that might steer me toward different RODI filter options based on this info?
I was also seeing in these forums of something called a TDI tester to add into the lines? Very curious as to what that is for and if needed on these types of systems I might get. Thank you for all the help in advance!

To simply answer your question. I had an RO buddy when I started. It is fine but cumbersome as it does not permanently mount. I moved to a BRS system and it is much easier. Get the BRS model. Perhaps mount it above a waste sink if you can. Far easier to deal with Long term. I eventually added a booster pump and get far better output but you can always add that later. Do try to get one with a pressure gauge and tds meter mounted if you can swing it. I think this is one of those areas where the inclination is to go cheap at first but then you just end up needing to buy better later so you double spend the money. I hope that helps.

 

[SaltWaterTank_Noob]

To simply answer your question. I had an RO buddy when I started. It is fine but cumbersome as it does not permanently mount. I moved to a BRS system and it is much easier. Get the BRS model. Perhaps mount it above a waste sink if you can. Far easier to deal with Long term. I eventually added a booster pump and get far better output but you can always add that later. Do try to get one with a pressure gauge and tds meter mounted if you can swing it. I think this is one of those areas where the inclination is to go cheap at first but then you just end up needing to buy better later so you double spend the money. I hope that helps.

Yeah that's exactly what I'm going to do! Thank you! But since I am limited with space, I am going to have to be taking my RODI system on/off whenever I use it cause it's going to have to go UNDER my sink, does it have to go above the sink or whats the benefit to that??? I thought people plumbed them under sinks all the time? I can't plumb it over my sink because my faucet doesn't have the screwable thing to be able to connect directly above it.

 

[dkline]

Yeah that's exactly what I'm going to do! Thank you! But since I am limited with space, I am going to have to be taking my RODI system on/off whenever I use it cause it's going to have to go UNDER my sink, does it have to go above the sink or whats the benefit to that??? I thought people plumbed them under sinks all the time? I can't plumb it over my sink because my faucet doesn't have the screwable thing to be able to connect directly above it.

You can absolutely go under the Sink. Put it where you have the room. Just makes it a bit harder to get to and maintain under the sink (I would think) but no issues in terms of how it will work. Whatever is best for your situation.

 

[SaltWaterTank_Noob]

You can absolutely go under the Sink. Put it where you have the room. Just makes it a bit harder to get to and maintain under the sink (I would think) but no issues in terms of how it will work. Whatever is best for your situation.

Oh ok cool! I was starting to get worried lol. Well I'm going to have to take it on/off whenever I use it and don't use it cause I can't just have it under the sink 24/7 cause of stuff I have under the sink. But from what I've seen, it's fine to take it on and off