DIY (Sort of) RO/DI

[jmait769]

I’m upgrading my “Ebay” special with some pressure gauges and a dual TDS meter. Sort of a DIY. My DI was in need of replacement so I ordered a Single DI Housing and Refillable DI cartridge from www.thefilterguys.biz. I used that for awhile then went ahead and replaced all the filters (Carbon Block Chloramine Plus DI) which I ordered from www.thefilterguys.biz also. I still have to paint the bracket. I can post more info if anyone is interested.

New:

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/jmait769/RODO01.jpg

Old:

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/jmait769/RO01.jpg

Jay

[zed915]

Nice photos! I'm really interested in doing this...

[killingseed]

hmm, some of my next upgrades; a tds metter.
i want or need a value and some switches, i want to add a high low to mine. it can drip a long time before the ato on it shuts down.

[zed915]

yup im doing my research now, because the next investment will be for next year - yes a chiller.

[jmait769]

OK Here is some in-progress shots to give you an idea of what I’m trying to do.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/jmait769/RODO02.jpg

Red line (right side): Incoming tap water
Orange line (left side): Pure RO/DI water
White line (from flow restrictor/RO membrane): Waste water

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/jmait769/RODO03.jpg

This is a combination of the Ebay special and a DI canister from <a href="http://www.thefilterguys.biz/" target="_blank">The Filter Guys</a>. A system like this pieced together is more expensive then if you bought a similar system from one of the RC sponsors that sell RO/DI systems. I bought the Ebay unit more than a year ago and have just recently started to replace the filters so I have spread the cost out over time. If I had to do it all over again I would spend the extra on a system like this but you know what they say about hind sight! In the beginning it’s tough when you are trying to do and get all the right thinks on a budget!!

I’ve added two pressure gauges to monitor the incoming water pressure and the pressure after the third filter before it goes into the Reverse Osmosis membrane. I bought these gauges at Lowe’s. You want to monitor the pressure after the filters to see if there is a drop in pressure. You need to check the filters if the pressure drops 15% to 20% of normal house pressure. You really only need the gauge after the filters if you know your home pressure but I went ahead and added it.

I also added a dual TDS meter which measures the water after the Reverse Osmosis membrane and then after the DI which I also got at <a href="http://www.thefilterguys.biz/" target="_blank">The Filter Guys</a>. If the TDS after the Reverse Osmosis membrane rises then you know the membrane needs to be replaced. If it is at its normal range and the TDS is high after the DI stage then you know it’s time to replace the resin.

If all the tubing looks confusing then this schematic from <a href="http://www.thefilterguys.biz/" target="_blank">The Filter Guys</a> will hopefully clear it up. :)

http://www.thefilterguys.biz/images/DITDSMETERNEW.JPG

I’ll post the final assembly hopefully tonight but probably tomorrow. The bracket is drying right now!

HTH

Jay

[killingseed]

nice setup :>, your fishies love you even more now

[jmait769]

Took longer than I thought to finish it!

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/jmait769/RODO04.jpg


http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/jmait769/RODO06.jpg

Installed.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/jmait769/RODO05.jpg

Jay

[Salty Sam]

Jay....you never stop impressing me!

[jmait769]

Thanks Sam! I’m not sure if you saw my suggestion for your avatar so here it is:

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/jmait769/SaltySam04.jpg

Now that really is Captain Jinks but his side kick was Salty Sam. But I think Captain Jinks looks more like a Salty Sam!!;)

Jay

[Salty Sam]

Yeah Jay, I saw it....cool. I dont know how to add an avatar....pretty bad huh?

[jmait769]

OK Right click the Avatar and select Copy.
Save it to your computer.
Click My RC on the banner at the top of this page.
Go to Edit Options and go to the bottom of the page.
Select Change Avatar and you will get a new page.
At the bottom select Browse at the You can upload an avatar from your computer and then just select where you saved the copy.
Course you don't have to do this one and I can help you resize it if you need.

Good luck!!

Jay

[zed915]

Really good article jmait769. Reason being, I'm sick of going to the Water Mill, so maybe later in the year I will get my RO unit.

We'll see you in September!

[vegaskid11]

Thanks Jay. The info here is great.

[jmait769]

No problem! I hope you can use the info. If you upgrade yours and you need help just let me know!

Jay

[Salty Sam]

Reminds me Jay, when your in the store you can set my avatar if you dont mind.

[jmait769]

OK No problem. See you tomorrow!!

Jay

[underWoasisjake]

WOW jay very good job!!! I see you like DIY projects? Thats how i am i love doing jobs on my own. I have my idea for my sump/fuge on a paper if i took it to the meeting Nov. 8 you think you can take a look at it and tell me what you think and some info on how to run my plumbing? Besides that is there a difference between a good R/O and a bad one?

[reeftexas]

Good Job Jay.I'm not a DIY kind of guy.I can't even change the batteries in the Remote. LOL

Jeff

[jmait769]

Thank Jeff and Jake! Sorry I was slow as Steffen (Puffin04) stopped by and I yaked his poor head off!!

Besides that is there a difference between a good R/O and a bad one? First the RO/DI. A much debated (and a hotly :furious: one too I might add) subject here on RC! IMO it all depends on your tap water quality. If it is really bad like above 300 TDS then you want a really good unit. If it is below that you can probably get away with a cheaper one. I did!! I will say that mine worked just fine for the quality of our tap water. I used the Ebay special for a year and changed out the extra filters that came with it at the 6 month mark. My tap at the house runs around 250 TDS and I got 0 TDS after the DI.

With that said, if I had to do it over again, I would get the <a href="http://www.thefilterguys.biz/ro_di_systems.htm" target="_blank">Ocean Reef + 1 five stage 75 GPD RO/DI</a> from TheFilterGuys. Not only a good unit, fairly priced, but you also get their customer service which is great.

I have my idea for my sump/fuge on a paper if i took it to the meeting Nov. 8 you think you can take a look at it and tell me what you think and some info on how to run my plumbing? Yes! Bring it with you to the meeting. Great idea. I would love to help you as I’m sure there will be a bunch more wanting to help also at the meeting.

HTH

Jay

[underWoasisjake]

No problem!!! Ok sounds great i will take it with me to the meeting and get some more input. Or if you stil gonna let me get some cheato frm you on sunday maybe you could take a look at then? Let me know if you can thanks.

underWoasisjake
Jake

[jmait769]

Yes. No problem. I will call you tomorrow with a time for Sunday. Wife has already kinked up my weekend plans. Long story short - I still don't know what we're doing except a trip to EP (who's idea was it to build that darn outlet mall on I10?? :mad2: ). Sunday should be fine in the afternoon. Plan around 3PM and I'll inform the boss!! :)

Jay

[underWoasisjake]

Ok sounds good Jay thanks!! Ya dang goodluck i bet it will be crazy packed there!! WOW! Ya that will work for me when you call we can verify everything. Thanks again!

underWoasisjake
Jake

[reefey]

so what is your tds at.

[jmait769]

reefey - Currently my tap at the house runs around 250 TDS and I get 2 TDS after the membrane and 0 TDS after the DI.

Jay

[starsbravo]

Thats cool Jay. I have the Ocean Reef +1 from the filter guys and it is great. The only bad thing is that EP has high TDS. I tested my tap and it ran at 534. With a 95-98% rejection rate of the membrane, my RO TDS stands at 20-25. The DI TDS is always at 0 however, my DI resin exhausts a lot faster. I was going to ask you, where did you get your RO/DI storage tank? I want to get one. Thanks

Josh

[jmait769]

Josh - Wow. 534!! I didn't know EP was that high.

I got my tank at <a href="http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/variant.asp?catalog%5Fname=USPlastic&category%5Fname=25&product%5Fid=15699&variant%5Fid=74212" target="_blank">USPlastics</a>. It was a little expensive but I wanted something with the small screw on type caps. You could also use a Brute trashcan as well.

Jay

[starsbravo]

Jay, this might be a stupid question, but how do you get the water from that big holding drum to your tank? Thanks

Josh

[jmait769]

No not stupid at all. I siphon from it into either a 5 gallon bucket or a 1 gallon pitcher. What I need to do is put it on a platform that is as high as the pitcher and install a drain valve. That way I could just open it and drain. I had it in a closet that was higher than the tanks sump. I had a long hose that I siphoned with directly into the ATO holding tank but I kept on having floods and the better half told me I had to move it! :eek1:

Jay

[starsbravo]

oh cool. I figured you would have to do something like that. My better half has been getting on my a$$ for letting the RO/DI flood onto the floor since I fill it directly into my 5gal ATO container. So I need to come up with a plan to install a float switch to turn off the RO when it reaches a certain level. The problem is that the RO is installed in the laundry room and the tank is in the living room. I would love to fill up a 35gal drum and get water from there however my laundry room isnt that big to hold that container. You have any ideas? Thanks

Josh

[killingseed]

starsbravo
geting somthing like this and putting it in the bucket by drilling a simple hole can solve that problem

http://a1272.g.akamai.net/7/1272/1121/20060503175508/www.drsfostersmith.com/images/Categoryimages/normal/p_25747_FS34852P.jpg

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=14690&Nty=1&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=All&pc=1&N=0&Ntt=ro%20top%20off&Np=1


or justing the parts from
http://www.thefilterguys.biz

and the flood will no longer happen! you wife will love you for it

[killingseed]

you end up with something like this but in your 5 gal or bigger once installed.

i think jay has a picture of his as well.
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n238/killingseed/floatinbucket.jpg

[jmait769]

Josh - Note sure of your layout but if you can find a place to fit and store the tank you can always run a line to it while you fill it then put it away after you make the water. I had mine in the closet with the AC and hot water heater.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/jmait769/15Tank.jpg

I stretched a hose to the RO/DI and filled the tank as needed.

This is a shot of my tank and Kent valve now.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/jmait769/RODO07.jpg

Jay

[killingseed]

jay did that connector on the red line connected to the kent float come with the kent float or did you get that some where, looks better then what i have?

[jmait769]

Hold on I'm trying to remember where I got that!

Jay

[jmait769]

John I want to say http://www.mcmaster.com but for the life of me I cannot find the one I ordered. I will search and let you know tomorrow.

Jay

[jmait769]

OK I found it. Item #1901K29 - Chemical-Resistant PVDF Tube Fitting Adapter for 1/4" Tube OD X 1/4" NPTF Female Pipe.

http://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/113/gfx/large/1901kp2l.gif

Jay

[starsbravo]

jay, how did you get the kent float into that drum? through that little hole or does the drum have a bigger lid.. Thanks

Josh

[jmait769]

Josh - The valve barely fit through that hole. Then I had to maneuver it into the small hole on the side I drilled. It would have been easier if I had gotten a barrel with a removable lid!!

Jay

[killingseed]

you should have just said "F@#ing magic!", because you know you where saying it when you where trying to get it in there.

[jmait769]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11134473#post11134473 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by killingseed
you should have just said "F@#ing magic!", because you know you where saying it when you where trying to get it in there. Oh I was cusing it and the thought passed thru my head to cut a larger hole in the tank but in the end it went thru with some gentle persuasion!! :)

Jay