Purchasing RO/DI Unit

[110galreef]

Just want to be sure of what your saying here. From the RO membrane I should have one output going to the storage tank then to a faucet for drinking and then one to the DI chamber for the aquarium.

Right....you don't want to drink DI water.Not that it will huirt you just taste funky!

Also don't the water tanks come pressurized and have a checkvalve on them so as not to flow back into the RO mebrane???

Thanks Again

[Buckeye Field Supply]

Right - maybe the diagram below will help.

I'd be happy to send you a set of instructions/plumbing diagram if you send your email address.

The tanks are pressurized - but they do not ordinarily have a check valve - remember most systems with tanks do not have a DI stage.

Russ @ BFS

[SomeHairyOldGuy]

sheesh! i am about to reconsider buying the unit. i envisioned just being able to hook it up under the sink for when i need top off water and to do water changes. i only need maybe 5-10 gallons a week. im just tired of having to drive and pay to get it. i dont know...sounds like it might be a pain in the neck if I really dont have a place to put it at.

anybody ever hooked theirs up in the laundry room? mine has hot and cold water and a drain. could put it all on a shelf above the washer and dryer i suppose.

[110galreef]

You can very easily hook it up to the washer cold water connection. Many places have a y adapter to put on the connection one for the washer and one to the RO. They make nice connectors to connect the 3/4 hose end to the RO. Plus if all you need is 5-10 gallons, a 5 gallon bucket made up in the laundry room would be very easy!

Like this:

[Mr.Firemouth]

BFS, my household plumbing varies from 35p.s.i. to 42p.s.i. That is why I have the booster pump. What is the lowest p.s.i. a membrane should be used at? Every RO manufacturer I talked to said my water pressure was too low and that I would need the pump.

[110galreef]

From what I have seen ~50-60 is ideal!

[Buckeye Field Supply]

The specs on Filmtec membranes call for 77 degree F water and 50 psi.
Other brands of membranes are spec'ed at 60 psi or 65 psi.

Lower temperatures or lower pressure will reduce the output.

For all practical purposes, if you have less than 40 psi you won't be happy with the performance of your system.

Russ

[SomeHairyOldGuy]

BFS,

Is that why you include the 3.2 gal pressure tank with this system?
BFS-210 50 gpd Reef/Residential RO/DI System

Thanks,
SHOG

[Buckeye Field Supply]

Right - the pressure tank feeds a faucet. The Water from the pressure tank isn't routed through the DI resin.

Russ

[SomeHairyOldGuy]

would i possibly still need a booster pump even if i have the tank?

[SomeHairyOldGuy]

after serious consideration i think i am gonna skip on the ro/di unit. i made my decision on the following reasons.

1)the price that i pay now for water just isnt worth me purchasing my own unit. i can get 5 gallons ro and 5 gallons sw for like 5.50 w/ tax at the lfs. the only thing i lose by not buying on is convenience of not having to run the the store. twice a month.
2) price for the unit and cost of memebrane replacement and other accessories needed to install.
3) not that big but i would basically have to remodel the laundry room in order to have a place to put it.

i really want to thank all of you for your input though! thanks again for all your support. hope everybody has a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

shog

[Buckeye Field Supply]

would i possibly still need a booster pump even if i have the tank?

Yes - these two don't really have much to do with one another. The pump supplies sufficient pressure for the membrane to operate well. One through the membrane, most of the pressure/flow goes down the drain. The pressure tank supplies pressure/flow to the faucet.

Russ

[Buckeye Field Supply]

after serious consideration i think i am gonna skip on the ro/di unit.

Not a problem! Have a great holiday.