I bought a RODI System

[Yuri De Lima]

So I bought a RODI system from www.purewaterclub.com. It is the first one on the list of Reef Water Systems ($95 one, rated for 125GPD). Does anyone have one of these? Do you have some good instructions of how to put it together?

Should I try to do it myself or call a plumber?

 

[fsn77]

In general, a RO/DI unit is very easy to install. If you plan on installing it near your washing machine, the install is about as easy as it comes due to the standard hose connections used for washing machines. A Y-adapter made for a garden hose and the appropriate fitting to convert the hose fitting to the 1/4" flex tubing (sometimes included with the RO/DI unit, otherwise available at Lowe's / Home Depot for < $10) is all that's required. The waste line can then be run down the washing machine's drain.

Have you determined where you'll be hooking it up yet?
Do you know what type of connection fittings it comes with to connect the unit to your water supply?

Otherwise, it should come with directions for the remaining assembly.

 

[Riverserver]

Mine came with a faucet adapter and just screws into my sink. I think most come with those.

 

[Yuri De Lima]

It came with some directions, I read them, they are long, and I'm still confused.
I plan to install it in the laundry room, with the washing machines are.
My family are really giving me a hard time about me even having a tank. They say that I will flood the house, burn the house down with so much electricity and water, sometimes I feel that by saying that they are sending me dam n curses. First day I got the tank running, my older brother said that "I would flood the house." That night I actually have a nightmare about it lol.

I need to look over the equipment I got again, then I'll get back to you guy. Hopefully if I need more need you guys can help me.

Thank you.

 

[Yuri De Lima]

Ok, I've finally had time to look around the laundry room to see where I will put my RODI unit. I found he pipe, there's a hot and cold pipe (they are pretty thin in size, probably 2" inside.

I was reading the instructions that came with the unit and it seems like they say I'm supposed to take a metal part with a metal needles, attach to the pipe with screws and pierce a hole in th pipe. Then it goes on to say I should take off the clamp and use a 1/8" bit and drill a hole in the pipe. etc...


I really am finding the instructions that they sent me, the guy keeps switching between person (I and you) and he just made everything confusing.

Is there anybody here that actually have this unit or have an installation just like mine?

A little help?


Thanks.

 

[fsn77]

If you're going to install the unit in the laundry room and to the cold water pipe that feeds the washing machine, do not use the saddle piercing valve or drill any holes in the pipes. There is a much easier and less invasive way...

Does the cold water pipe that supplies cold water to the washing maching have a garden hose connection? If so, buy one each of these to split the connection and adapt to the 1/4" tubing the RO unit uses:
Valved Y Coupler / Y Adapter (highly recommend getting one with shut-off valves on both Ys)
Hose Bib Adapter (scroll down to #3)
Each of these is available locally at Home Depot / Lowe's / most general hardware stores. The install will require no tools, no drilling, and allow you to easily remove the RO unit lines if / when you ever need to without damaging the water supply lines. Be sure to use teflon pipe tape to help seal the threads on the connections.

For the drain, the washing machine should have an open drain pipe that the plastic drain line from the washing machine is shoved down in. The waste line from the RO unit can be shoved down that same drain (shove as much of it down there as you can, not just 1' of tubing -- as much as you can). To help secure it and make sure it doesn't creep out, you may want to use a couple of plastic safety ties / zip ties. You can secure it to the washing machine's drain tubing, if you like.

If something is not clear or you need further help, please post more questions. Your family already seems concerned about flooding just by you having a tank, the last thing you want to do is try to convince them you need to drill holes and pierce water pipes.

 

[Yuri De Lima]

I checked the pipe that supplies cold water to the washing machine and it does have a garden hose connection. So tomorrow after work I plan to stop by Lowe's and get the 2 things you stated above and the teflon tape.

Hopefully everything will work out fine, this is my first saltwater tank and my family reacting the way they did/do isn't helping any. I don't want to have to sell it or anything.
I'll update how it goes.

Hey thanks for all the info. dude. That really helped me quite a lot.

I was checking out your profile and it says your an Aquatic Biologist. I'm just curious, what exactly do you do?

 

[fsn77]

Hey thanks for all the info. dude. That really helped me quite a lot.

You're very welcome!

I was checking out your profile and it says your an Aquatic Biologist. I'm just curious, what exactly do you do?

In short, I do habitat assessment and stream restoration.
More specifically, I work on a team that collects and IDs freshwater macroinvertebrates (crayfish, snails, clams / mussels, but most importantly insect larva). The numbers and types of "bugs" we find can be used to determine the general health of a creek, as certain bugs are more tolerant of certain conditions than others. At the time of the bug collection, we also do habitat evaluations of the creek / stream, measure basic water parameters with a set of probes (pH, temp, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, etc.) and collect a couple water samples that get run for various analyses (nutrients and bacteria mostly). We also work towards reducing non-point source pollution in the creeks (decrease run-off, promote stream-side vegetation, encourage farmers to keep their cows / horses out of the creeks). We do some sw work, too, mostly in the estuaries and tidal creeks. The sw work focuses on improving the water quality around shellfish beds. The goal is to improve water quality so that shellfish beds which are currently closed to harvesting can be reopened.

 

[leoslizards]

You're very welcome!



In short, I do habitat assessment and stream restoration.
More specifically, I work on a team that collects and IDs freshwater macroinvertebrates (crayfish, snails, clams / mussels, but most importantly insect larva). The numbers and types of "bugs" we find can be used to determine the general health of a creek, as certain bugs are more tolerant of certain conditions than others. At the time of the bug collection, we also do habitat evaluations of the creek / stream, measure basic water parameters with a set of probes (pH, temp, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, etc.) and collect a couple water samples that get run for various analyses (nutrients and bacteria mostly). We also work towards reducing non-point source pollution in the creeks (decrease run-off, promote stream-side vegetation, encourage farmers to keep their cows / horses out of the creeks). We do some sw work, too, mostly in the estuaries and tidal creeks. The sw work focuses on improving the water quality around shellfish beds. The goal is to improve water quality so that shellfish beds which are currently closed to harvesting can be reopened.

That sounds interesting! :tropicalfish:
How many years in college did you have to complete to get that job? :read:
I always wanted to work with fish or reptiles. I tried applying at my local zoo but they required 3 years of volunteer work though. I can't work for 3 years and not get paid... -_-

 

[fsn77]

That sounds interesting! :tropicalfish:
How many years in college did you have to complete to get that job? :read:
I always wanted to work with fish or reptiles. I tried applying at my local zoo but they required 3 years of volunteer work though. I can't work for 3 years and not get paid... -_-

I ended up going for a master degree after I got my bachelor degree (6 program years of college total). But, a master degree isn't required... less than half of the people in my office have a degree beyond a 4 year bachelor degree.

Before I started my current job, I looked at the local zoo, hoping to work with their large aquariums... basically the same thing you're running into... must volunteer first to really get a foot in the door. Plus, they wanted people that are scuba certified, which wouldn't be hard to get, but is expensive when you're not working.

Don't give up though... You'll be surprised by some of the opportunities that'll cross your path when you least expect them to.