RO System Install

[maxsmart]

I am thinking about buying an RO system. How do they hook up to the plumbing?
What I was thinking is that I will install it on the wall in my basement by tapping into the washing machine's water feed. I'd like a tap there where I can fill my aqaurium bottles, and ANOTHER in the form of a spigot on the kitchen sink, which is directly above that (on the first floor). This would be a great replacement for my broken Pur filter system we have now, without cluttering the storage space under the kitchen sink by putting the RO system under there. I also wouldn't have to haul water bottles downstairs for water changes any more.
The question is, will this work?
Or will it not work 8ft uphill like this?

 

[bang guy]

I have my RO/DI in the basement and I get RO water upstairs at the kitchen sink and RO/DI in the basement next to my sump.

 

[maxsmart]

Originally Posted by Bang Guy
http:///forum/post/2814616
I have my RO/DI in the basement and I get RO water upstairs at the kitchen sink and RO/DI in the basement next to my sump.
sweet! What is the hookup like? Do RO systems come with various connectors? where'd you get the hardware for multiple faucets? Is this something I could install myself, or does a pro plumber have to do it?
thanks!

 

[cveverly]

Originally Posted by MaxSmart
http:///forum/post/2817710
sweet! What is the hookup like? Do RO systems come with various connectors? where'd you get the hardware for multiple faucets? Is this something I could install myself, or does a pro plumber have to do it?
thanks!
You can do it yourself without a lot of trouble. You need to have access to a drain for the waste water along with the supply line. Many manufactures offer a hose bib that will allow you to hook to your washer supply.
If you are going to use a faucet at the sink you should consider a pressure tank. That is what I use and it stores about 2 gallons so you don't have to wait for the water to be processed. I bought RO/DI unit from filterdirect on the big auction site. Great unit reasonable price.

 

[joncat24]

Call Russ, at buckeye field supply and he will get ya everything you need. They have the best unit for the money around. BFS 161 for $169.

 

[maxsmart]

Originally Posted by cveverly
http:///forum/post/2818434
You can do it yourself without a lot of trouble. You need to have access to a drain for the waste water along with the supply line. Many manufactures offer a hose bib that will allow you to hook to your washer supply.
If you are going to use a faucet at the sink you should consider a pressure tank. That is what I use and it stores about 2 gallons so you don't have to wait for the water to be processed. I bought RO/DI unit from filterdirect on the big auction site. Great unit reasonable price.
My parents got an RO unit about 10-15 years ago, they haven't changed the filter in at least 5 years, on account that they think the city water is good enough without it. They said it was leaking from one of the filters, so they want it out since they don't use it anyway. Are these things the same models and technology, or are they advancing? Ie, should I grab this thing before they throw it out and buy new filters, or just buy myself a new unit?

 

[lost in it all]

the ro unit i got stated right in the directions that you are better off buying a new one every five to six years rather than try to replace all the bad parts one by one... If you look at filter and membrane prices they come close a new unit if you are replacing all of them from what i saw when trying to decide to replace them on the unit i got with my tank or buy a new one.

 

[cveverly]

I agree with lost in it all. It is as cheap or even cheaper to buy a new unit versus buying all the individual parts.

 

[maxsmart]

The Buckeye systems mentioned sound good.
Any other recommendations? Is there a consensus about which RO systems are the best? Is there a difference in quality, how long the filters last/cost? Keep in mind we plan on having two outputs - one downstairs that will require a gallon or two per day for water changes/replacements, and one upstairs which will be used as drinking water. 100 gallons a day sounds like plenty, if not overkill. Basically, I'm asking you to tell me what unit I should buy! Thanks!

 

[chardo]

After extensive research (it's a sickness), I just ordered a 5 stage ro/di from **************. Seems to me that the units from bulkreef, airwaterice, buckeye, melev, and spectrapure are all universally praised and nearly identical. They all use the same top-quality components and are all in the same price range. I was able to get the bulkreef model through their store at "that auction place" for $40 less than their website ($119+ship), so I just ordered it today. I'm sure I'll be happy with it, just as I would be with any of those others. At that price, it's about as cheap as the lesser quality units on "that auction place".

 

[maxsmart]

Originally Posted by Chardo
http:///forum/post/2824029
After extensive research (it's a sickness), I just ordered a 5 stage ro/di from **************. Seems to me that the units from bulkreef, airwaterice, buckeye, melev, and spectrapure are all universally praised and nearly identical. They all use the same top-quality components and are all in the same price range. I was able to get the bulkreef model through their store at "that auction place" for $40 less than their website ($119+ship), so I just ordered it today. I'm sure I'll be happy with it, just as I would be with any of those others. At that price, it's about as cheap as the lesser quality units on "that auction place".
Thanks for sharing your research results! That's exactly what I needed to know. one last question, though: isn't DI bad for aquariums, due to it decalcifying corals etc?

 

[chardo]

You may be confusing the advice for drinking water. DI removes everything including taste, so DI water is bland. For fish, DI is the way to go. RO gives nearly pure water, and DI goes the final step to make totally pure water. Your salt mix adds back whatever important stuff is needed, and you can also add any supplements if needed.

 

[maxsmart]

Originally Posted by cveverly
http:///forum/post/2818434
If you are going to use a faucet at the sink you should consider a pressure tank. That is what I use and it stores about 2 gallons so you don't have to wait for the water to be processed. I bought RO/DI unit from filterdirect on the big auction site. Great unit reasonable price.
How does the pressure tank get hooked in? Does it have to be upstairs under the sink, or can I keep that downstairs too? Am I correct in assuming the tank comes after the RO but before the DI (with the DI only being on the downstairs spigot intended for the aquarium)?

 

[cveverly]

Originally Posted by MaxSmart
http:///forum/post/2837925
How does the pressure tank get hooked in?

See the following for a diagram.
espwaterproducts.com/images/tech_images/diagram-of-Reverse_Osmosis_System.gif
Originally Posted by MaxSmart
http:///forum/post/2837925
Does it have to be upstairs under the sink, or can I keep that downstairs too?
It will work either way.
Originally Posted by MaxSmart
http:///forum/post/2837925
Am I correct in assuming the tank comes after the RO but before the DI (with the DI only being on the downstairs spigot intended for the aquarium)?
Correct. Unless you want to have a couple gallon reserve of RO/DI water. Then you put the tank after the DI filter. That is the way I do it but I do not use the water for anything but making saltwater.

 

[maxsmart]

Originally Posted by cveverly
http:///forum/post/2837943
See the following for a diagram.
Correct. Unless you want to have a couple gallon reserve of RO/DI water. Then you put the tank after the DI filter. That is the way I do it but I do not use the water for anything but making saltwater.
Is the DI filter fast enough? That is, if I have a 5gal tank of RO water, will it go through the DI filter at a decent flow rate, or would it take a long time to fill my 5gal jug?
Thanks!

 

[chardo]

DI filter is fast. The RO membrane is the slow part of the system. DI comes after that.

 

[maxsmart]

Just wanted to follow-up to anyone reading the thread. I did get a RO-DI system, installed it in my basement. The pressure tank's down there, too. After the RO section, it goes to the pressure tank, and from there, it goes to the sink upstairs (drinking water) and to the di filter (aquarium water).
The big advantage of this setup - it doesn't take up space under the kitchen sink. The only drawback of this setup is that there is a little bit of a pressure loss going up one floor - so water flows a bit slow coming out upstairs.
One other piece of feedback - I wish I'd gone with a higher output version just because the tubing would be wider - as it is, it takes way too long to fill my water jugs.

 

[maxsmart]

Oh, and I wish I had checked out the options for auto-shutoff. I keep overflowing my water jugs. Don't know if they offer something that you can put into the jugs that will shut off when it's full...

 

[dragonzim]

Originally Posted by MaxSmart
http:///forum/post/3149292
Oh, and I wish I had checked out the options for auto-shutoff. I keep overflowing my water jugs. Don't know if they offer something that you can put into the jugs that will shut off when it's full...
Float valve or just get yourself a larger container for your water. I used a 40 gallon Rubbermaid Brute garbage can for mine

 

[maxsmart]

Originally Posted by DragonZim
http:///forum/post/3149707
Float valve or just get yourself a larger container for your water. I used a 40 gallon Rubbermaid Brute garbage can for mine
How do you move a 40 gal water can? That would weight 325 pounds!
"Hercules, Hercules!"