Under Sink RODI help

[Hasted]

I recently purchased a BRS 5 Stage RODI. I temporarily hooked it up to the outdoor spigot for this week's water change and then brought it right back in. Looking for a "slightly" more permanent solution.

I think my best plan is to hook it all up underneath the extra sink we have. I don't see another place that I can get both Source Water and a drain while being out of the way. This feels less than ideal, but I would LOVE some help on making it "most" ideal for this situation.

Quick info:
29g tank
75 gpd 5 stage unit
Weekly 5g water changes
Takes just under 2 hours to fill my 5g bucket

I ordered these parts for the under sink hook up:

These are what was listed inside the user's manual thingy (and I actually thought these would be included). At minimum, these will get me hooked up and going. I also ordered the float valve with my unit, so that is also in my possession and would like to utilize it.

So, here is the space I am working with:

With and without equipment. For scale.

My idea is to hook it up somewhat like this:

I could hook the unit up on the left side of the main cabinet. The single canister (with the TDS meter) can be towards the middle so the meter can be easily read. The pressure meter won't, though... On the rights side is really what I want some suggestions on! I would like a 5+ gallon container of some kind with the float valve inside. My original thought was just toss in a 5g bucket, fill it, pull it out. I don't think the float valve is quick disconnect like that. Water would also probably drip each time...

So, my next idea is what is pictured. Elevate a container that has a valve. I can sit my 5g on the ground, twist valve, and fill up the bucket I will use.

I realize this is kind of open ended and there are millions of ways to do this. I am looking for some advice still. Also, I can utilize that left cabinet if needed?

QUESTIONS:

- Will this set up work? Even if it is a bit tedious to fill up a container and then immediately move it to a 5g bucket to store elsewhere.

- What container would be ideal here? I found a few on Amazon that are food grade (non collapsing). I think it will be difficult to get the float valve installed on most of them, however.

- Do I HAVE to elevate the container above the top of where my 5g bucket on the ground is? Instead, could I get a larger container and gravity do the trick?

-Do I need any other fittings to make this work? I "think" I have them all, but might as well ask.

Here are a few more pictures:

Original idea was just to have a 5g in here.

Shows where top of 5g is from floor.

Whole area. Door to the left is a small room. It does not have a drain so I don't see how I could hook it up there.

I really appreciate any and all help. I will even gladly just look at a picture of your under sink set up for ideas.

 

[lapin]

QUESTIONS:

- Will this set up work? Even if it is a bit tedious to fill up a container and then immediately move it to a 5g bucket to store elsewhere.

Yes it will work

- What container would be ideal here? I found a few on Amazon that are food grade (non collapsing). I think it will be difficult to get the float valve installed on most of them, however.

I dont know what would be best and avail to you. They make ATO containers.

- Do I HAVE to elevate the container above the top of where my 5g bucket on the ground is? Instead, could I get a larger container and gravity do the trick?

Im not sure what you mean here . Both your bucket and elevated one with valve will work.

-Do I need any other fittings to make this work? I "think" I have them all, but might as well ask.

I think you have them all

 

[mcshams]

We have our RODI under sink nearly as you suggest. However, our differences are that we have a bathtub adjacent after the cabinet. As a result, we ran the waste water AND the RODI water hoses to the bath tub where we use the bathtub drain as the waste water and use our 35gallon water bin over the tub to store our finished RODI water.

IF you want to collect under your sink, I recommend you get a water detector/alarm in case you runneth over!
You might consider protecting the cabinet base with a small catch basin (maybe 1" lip) to catch overspill and/or splash.

I work away from home, so I can't send any photos until Thursday, but I hope this helps a little. I think your idea is sound, and we've been doing this for no less than 5-6 months thus far. Yes, I have to bend down to check TDS reading and turn it on which is not as convenient as if it was at eye-level, but once running, it's leave and forget it with a timer set up.

 

[Champ128]

I would put an auxiliary drain near the top of whatever container you put under the sink. Relying on a float can mean big trouble down the road. Also make sure to tie the RODI unit to the cold water source. Typically but not always the hot is the valve on the left. Hot water shortens the lifespan of your membrane.

 

[Hasted]

So, update!

I got it all hooked up. Pressure is up from the spigot, which is great!

I have the whole unit and hoses on one side. I made sure to leave slack in the lines (rolled up) so I am able to pull it out to take off canister. Hope that was the right call.

As for spill protection:

So far I did this. I assume my sink can hold a 5g bucket without issues? Overflow protection. Haha! This probably isn't permanent, but it works for today's water making. Tomorrow is Water Change day.

Anyone see any issues with this set up? Only thing is that I have the single canister/ TDS meter too far back. I am going to find a way to get thr meter closer.

(Basement additional sink, was moved down after previous owners remodeled kitchen)

 

[NS Mike D]

Any chance you can put that on a counter or in a cabinet over the sink (running lines is easy). Under the sink is nice and neat, but will be a PITA in later to service and eyeball. Plus turning on and reading the TDS meter under the sink waiting for it to get to 0 will also be a PITA.

I'd rather store it away and hook it on the counter for each use than have to get under the sink.

 

[MTBake]

I ran my ro/di system the same way you have yours now for the better part of 10 years. Worked out just fine. Bucket in the sink even, lol.

 

[lilgrounchuck]

So, update!

I got it all hooked up. Pressure is up from the spigot, which is great!

I have the whole unit and hoses on one side. I made sure to leave slack in the lines (rolled up) so I am able to pull it out to take off canister. Hope that was the right call.

As for spill protection:

So far I did this. I assume my sink can hold a 5g bucket without issues? Overflow protection. Haha! This probably isn't permanent, but it works for today's water making. Tomorrow is Water Change day.

Anyone see any issues with this set up? Only thing is that I have the single canister/ TDS meter too far back. I am going to find a way to get thr meter closer.

(Basement additional sink, was moved down after previous owners remodeled kitchen)

In the sink or in the tub, can’t beat that for a fail safe. I can’t tell you how many times I got focused on something else, lost track of time, and overflowed while making water. The bathtub has saved me many times.

 

[NS Mike D]

In the sink or in the tub, can’t beat that for a fail safe. I can’t tell you how many times I got focused on something else, lost track of time, and overflowed while making water. The bathtub has saved me many times.

yup


I recommend getting used to using the timer app on the phone. It's easy to flood the basement while banging on the keys on R2R.

 

[lilgrounchuck]

yup


I recommend getting used to using the timer app on the phone. It's easy to flood the basement while banging on the keys on R2R.

My problem is when I start working another project while making water, then I have to run for a sec to grab something. That one thing leads to a phone call to stop somewhere else on the way home, and next thing I know instead of making the 5 gal I needed, I made 20 and lost 15.

 

[lpsouth1978]

I have my system hooked up in the laundry room. I tied it into the washing machine cold water line and drain. I use Brute garbage cans with floats installed for water change water, but I put my buckets in the sink like that to fill them for ATO water. Has saved me MANY a time. I have a 400gpd RODI and have forgot that the bucket was filling a number of times.

 

[MTBake]

Spent half an hour yesterday morning cleaning up water because I forgot to set a timer. Recommend an auto shut off valve and/or water detector if don't use the sink or tub as overflow protection. I got mine on the way now;)

 

[NS Mike D]

@Hasted , there is no reason the bucket in the sink should not be your permanent solution. It's the perfect defense. When you are done, everything goes back under the sink nice and neat.

 

[Hasted]

Thanks everyone! I think I will keep the sink fill going, then. We have used that sink twice since we moved in...

I appreciate all the replies!!

Any chance you can put that on a counter or in a cabinet over the sink (running lines is easy).

Unfortunately not at the moment.

I do plan to relocate the TDS meter, though. I will gladly be slightly encumbered with the process if it means it is actually hooked up. What I did the last two weeks was way worse. Carried it and two buckets outside. Hooked it all up to the spigot. Hook up waste and product water lines to buckets. Empty waste bucket 3x away from the house. Unhook, drag it all back in, make sure the lines aren't dripping.