Reverse Osmosis System

[sparty059]

I've decided I'm going to get an RO/DI since I feel that after filling up all of my tanks I will have spent more than half in costs of getting RO water from a store than just buying one on my own. However, with that being said... I want to get a portable one since I will not be looking to work on yet another home improvement project. How do these work is my main question? Do I hook up a line to it and have the water run from there to the tank? Or do I put water in the RO/DI let it sit for an hour and then once it's ready dump it into the tank? I'm looking at a Portable 150GPD for $190... does that sound fairly priced or can I find one for less? I'm not sure if I really even need a 150, but it just seems nice to have the option to fill up my tank in 1 day rather than spreading it through the whole week. So give me your input everyone... I've enjoyed all the input regarding everything else recently!

 

[btldreef]

I have a Coralife, I'm not sure of exactly what model, but it is portable, or can be hardlined, as most of them can.
You do not want your RO/DI hooked directly to your tank, that's just a disaster waiting to happen.
Water, especially water mixed with salt should sit for at least 24hrs with a powerhead in the bucket. This allows the salt to fully mix, it aerates the water, etc. I make my water into a 50G drum with wheels on it and then wheel it to the tank when it's ready to be added.
Just make sure that with whatever unit you end up purchasing, that the replacement filters are readily available, some e - bay brands are not so easy to do this with. This was a huge factor in me purchasing the Coralife unit for a little more money. I've also heard that the Kent models don't work nearly as well.

 

[sparty059]

Ok, so I won't have it go directly to the tank, and I'll do what you and other have suggested which is have a bucket specificly for RO and keep the water in there to mix. However, I'm still confused on how these work. If I hook it up to the hose does it fill up like 2 gallons in the RO system and then I have to let it sit for an hour? Or can I have it hooked up to the hose and have the hose on full blast and have the water run from the RO filter to the bucket I use with no time in between?

 

[meowzer]

Look at the Airwaterice units
I have the compact 75.....it hangs in my laundry room, shares a hose with the washer ...LOL...and I keep a 10G trash can with RO/DI at all times....I have a float in it....You'll see them in their site
There is no major home improvement involved either LOL

 

[acrylic51]

The RO/DI hooks directly to a water line. The water is then processed by the RO/DI unit. That process time can vary depending on a couple things, so no you don't directly add water to the unit. Your output and output rate can be affect by water temp, water quality going into the unit, rejection rate of the membrane etc.....
You can hook a float valve to the end of the production(good water) line, but your unit must be equipped with an ASOV(automatic shut off valve). Without the ASOV and just the float valve in place it will not relieve the pressure when the float valve is closed thereby creating an accident waiting to happen.

 

[btldreef]

Originally Posted by Sparty059
http:///forum/post/3298046
Ok, so I won't have it go directly to the tank, and I'll do what you and other have suggested which is have a bucket specificly for RO and keep the water in there to mix. However, I'm still confused on how these work. If I hook it up to the hose does it fill up like 2 gallons in the RO system and then I have to let it sit for an hour? Or can I have it hooked up to the hose and have the hose on full blast and have the water run from the RO filter to the bucket I use with no time in between?
I run the water from my kitchen sink at like 1/3 of full strength, through the unit and into the bucket, it will filter the water immediately, there's not wait time involved there. However, you need to be able to have a drain for the waster water. Bascially the unit separates the water and one hose will give you good filtered water, the other is waster water and needs somewhere to drain to, many people drain it into the washer.
The wait time is just once the bucket of useable water is full, you should wait 24hrs minimum before it goes in the tank.

 

[acrylic51]

BTLDReef what did you hear bad about Kent units? Honestly they all have the same components??????!!!!!

 

[btldreef]

Originally Posted by acrylic51
http:///forum/post/3298050
BTLDReef what did you hear bad about Kent units? Honestly they all have the same components??????!!!!!
That's what I always thought, but everyone I know that has a Kent model complains that they get higher readings with the TDS.

The main complaint is the phosphates.

 

[meowzer]

Originally Posted by acrylic51
http:///forum/post/3298048
T
You can hook a float valve to the end of the production(good water) line, but your unit must be equipped with an ASOV(automatic shut off valve). Without the ASOV and just the float valve in place it will not relieve the pressure when the float valve is closed thereby creating an accident waiting to happen.
The Airwaterice unit comes with an asov.....BUT I had to buy the float.....

 

[acrylic51]

Yeah.... The airwaterice does come with the asov.... Don't like their pressure vessels though(look) issue....LOL. Never heard or had any issues with my Kent....some peopl couldn't even tell you where the flow restrictor is on those units so I'd be skeptic!!!!!