RO/DI Unit Question

C

colesy

AC Members
Sep 18, 2005
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I have a question about RO/DI units.. I am looking at getting one when I setup my new tank. I am setting up an in-wall tank in my basement. And in the room about 10-15ft beside the room my tank will be in, is my laudry room, where I have one of those white sinks you normally see in basements.. Would there be away for me to plumb a RO/DI unit into that plumbing, without taking up the outlet for that sink? I Suppose I could just add a split before the taps, and run a new line into the fish room.. Is that what I would need to do?
 
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Mount the R/O unit next to the sink. Tap into the cold water line for supply. The wastewater drainage is from the R/O unit drain tube and can just drip into the sink. Collect the R/O water from the R/O tube in plastic containers for storage...no need to pipe anywhere.
 
Well I was hoping to have the RO/DI unit to output into my auto top off container... I wanted to install a float valve to switch the ro/di unit on when needed, but because it will be in the next room, I don't think that will be possible.. I suppose I could still do it, just need to run the wires over head. That wouldn't be too hard as there is no ceiling in these 2 rooms..
 
I use a little 10 gallon tank to store my freshly made RO water. It has a simple little whisper filter to keep the water moving and a heater to warm the water up to the correct temperature before use.
 
maybe another idea. since your basement ceiling is unfinished you should be able to see copper pipes everywhere. use a saddle valve (i believe most are self tapping) with compression 1/4" output for cold water to refridgerators etc. secure the rodi unit in the laundry room since the input and waste lines can go right there. on the product line use a tee connector to split the product water to your rodi reserve and your sump. insert shut off valves (2) for more control and use when you need it. and two float valves to stop product line at reserve and sump. as you already know the float valve at sump also sets your water level in the sump and you can have both reserve and sump lines active.

it's a good idea to get a float valve kit that also stops the waste line when your product line is off, that way you would get a positive shut off and waste no water.

don't worry about the length/distance of the tubing because I had 30-35' between the rodi unit and the source/waste water and it worked just fine.

all connectors (tee, shut off valve) used on the product line should be plastic. these are readly available at home centers.
 
I did something very similar to what you are proposing. My washer is in my garage, and I put a "Y" valve (you can get these at Lowe's or Home Depot in the Gardening section) at the cold water inlet, so one part goes to the washer and the other part to the RO/DI system. You can route the water line either along the ceiling or along the floor by the baseboard. I routed mine through the attic.

Do you have an automatic shutoff valve for the RO unit? If not, when your float valve shuts off you will still be sending water to the waste. You can get one from Kent marine for ~$25; it installs on the RO system and is pressure activated.
 
ok, thanks for all the suggestions and ideas guys...

now I need to pick a unit... I am not looking for another too expensive.. like 100-150 dollars.. Is that going to get me anything decent?
 
My Kent Barebones is in that range. It's basic, but serves my 10 gallon well.
 
My tank will be about 130G plus sump and fuge.. Maybe I am being unreasonable in thinking I will be able to pick up a unit in that price range for my setup....
 
I got my Aqua-Safe 6-stage RO/DI unit on E-bay for $100. I also bought a 5 year supply of replacement cartridges and DI resin for another $100. It lowers my TDS from ~280 ppm to ~2 ppm.

Looking on E-bay now, you can get one for $85, and it has a resevoir, which mine didn't (not that you'll need it).

I have a 120 g tank, and it took a little over 24 hours to fill the tank initially (it's a 100 g/day unit). No problems with it since, and it's been up and running 7 months now.
 
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