RO/RODI unit words of wisdom/advice

heide264

heide264

Member
So while I sort out my mess of a tank, I think I'm just gonna pick up either an RO or RO/DI unit off that auction site. I figure buying it there will save me some cash, which I have none of to start, and I can just replace the filters and be good to go.
I live in Pittsburgh and our water is extremely hard and has a good bit of junk in it. Would it be very advantageous to go with an RO/DI over an RO unit in my case? Also, how do the long term costs with the filters compare between the two?
Just looking for some general advice on them before I go try and snatch one.
Thanks.
 
garick

garick

Member
I found an RO/DI unit brand new for around $90 with free shipping even came with dual DI units. makes 100 gal/day
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Check airwaterice units.....they are good, and not too high
Also get an ro/di unit, not just the ro
 
heide264

heide264

Member
Alright will check them out.
What about ones meant for drinking water?
EDIT:
Should I be looking for one of those tanks to store it in? Or can I always just use a bucket/trash can etc.
What are the advantages/disadvantages to a "portable" unit?
Also, do you think I will need a "booster pump" to get up to 65PSI? I'm not familiar with plumbing or any of that stuff by any means. My father worked in refrigeration/HVAC, however, so installation shouldn't be too much of an issue.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
I have my unit plumbed from my washing machine water line (the waste from the ro/di goes right into the drain)
I have a 12G trash can that I keep 10g's made at all times....most unites from the airwaterice come with an auto shut off valve....I purchased the float valve so the trash can would always stay full of ro/di
I also ran a 2nd line from the ro/di directly into the sump of my 225G....I added another float valve in the sump...and I have auto top off....YAYYY...and NO pumps...
 
heide264

heide264

Member
Looks good =). I don't think I will be able to do the auto top off; the tank is in an upstairs room. However, I probably can do the laundry room routine. Do you think I could plumb it off an upstairs bathroom sink actually? I have an open cabinet in our bathroom come to think of it that would hold a water container very, very nicely =)
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
LOL....I think you can plumb it to where ever you can add the "Y"...I don;t know...My husband did it for me...:)
 
heide264

heide264

Member
Haha, alright. Thanks. I have my eyes on one for $99 that looks pretty good. Will save me a lot of cash in the long run. Wish I would have bought one to start.
 
small triggers

small triggers

Active Member
and just an idea, instead of trashing the waste water,,, it can be used for many things...if you do this in a bathroom, why not just have the waste water go into the toilet tank? or in the washer case, have the waste water go into the washer and use it to wash clothes? or just have it go into a different bucket and use it to water house plants, do dog baths.......CONSIDERING 90% wll be waste water and your already paying for it
 
denis

denis

New Member
i have been experimenting and using water in a 55gallon plastic can with a airstone on and letting it sit for 7 days is the same as using those units.
 
small triggers

small triggers

Active Member
Denis,,, not to dispariage your comment, but water sitting for 7 days may evaporate some of the ions that RO/DI units remove, but def. not most or all. Have you used a TDS meter and checked your before and after? Now if you start with decent water like me,,, you may not have to do an RODI but as she stated they have hard water and that usually means there are alot more minerals that need to be removed....sitting is not going to do that
 
denis

denis

New Member
i should read more and drink less didnt read that part on her water and yes i quss we are blessed 2 have better water available.
 
heide264

heide264

Member
Haha, Happy New Years Eve dennis =P.
I'm a guy for reference; just end up using a lot of smiliey things on the internet because I tend to be sarcastic and sometimes can be taken the wrong way without them.
Yeah I always let my water sit with surface agitation for a day or so for our freshwater tanks to help get the chlorine to offgas a bit. At least where I am at here, the water is really bad. Not as bad as the state college water at least (can't even get shaving cream to foam up there well haha).
We will figure out some use for the water. We have 3 dogs at about 70lbs each average. They go through a lot of water. And in turn we mop a lot as dumb as that sounds. We'll figure something out.
Thanks for all the suggestions, I will let you know what I end up with and how it works out. Maybe I'll take a whole bunch of pictures and kinda do a plumbing thread for reference.
 
buckeyefs

buckeyefs

New Member
Some things to look for in a good system for this hobby.
Standard-sized prefilters, membrane, and DI cartridge
Brand name, high-rejection membrane
Specifications provided for each stage
Pressure gauge after the prefilters and before the membrane
Thermometer
DI bypass
Vertical DI stage
Refillable DI cartridge
Aluminum bracket
Quick connect fittings
Flush valve
Clear housings
High-quality instructions
Customer support before, during, and after your purchase
A vendor involved in your hobby
Russ
 
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