ro/di is it possible?-Water Chemistry-3reef Forums

mandarin11 · 11-29-2007, 05:03 AM

Hey all!

I really want a RODI for Christmas, but there is no way that I can hook it directly up to my tank without a hose going across the room, so needless to say that's not happening. I was wondering how many people run RODI's but have them drain into a separate water holding tank. I'm thinking that's the only way to go, but suggestions are welcome.

Also, what's easier, hooking it up to a laundry room water outlet or under the sink (if it fits), and can the waste line be routed to where it drains with the rest of the water, from the sink or washer? I've heard differing opinions but I want to hear what actual hobbyists have to say. One more thing, what is the usual efficiency for RODIs, like the ratio of good water to waste water? I'm pretty new to the RODI business and plumbing isn't exactly my strong suit

Thanks everyone for any suggestions.

APC · 11-29-2007, 05:58 AM

I have mine mounted to the wall in my laundry room. I put a splitter on the faucet so I can either run my RO/DI or my sink or both. Then I just ran the drain line into the sink and the water goes down the drain. My clean water goes into a big 32 gallon rubbermaid trash can that I use for mixing and aerating my water before it goes into my reef tank.

dragonflylures · 11-29-2007, 06:13 AM

I have my RO/DI unit under my sink upstairs -- the waste water goes right back into the drain (I'm not a plumber either and it was easy). I got mine from airwaterice.com and I think its a 3 to 1 waste to good water. Mine came with a 3 gallon holding tank with a drinking water nozzle put in the sink as our TDS in our drinking water was like 850. The RO takes it to around 40 - 60 and the DI portion for the reef tank takes it down to 2-8. The holding tank is for drinking water only and the rest I let run into a 5 gallon bucket for a 2-4 hours and thats enough water for 2-3 days for me. A little bit of a pain but I drink healthier as well. Oh ...... don't forget about the water running into the bucket and go to sleep, have a wet floor in the morning if you do

gazog · 11-29-2007, 06:29 AM

You can put it under the sink (if it fits) and get a single handle faucet and use the water for cooking and other things. Mine came with the faucet and a holding tank but I put it it in the utility/Laundry room just because I wasn't up to the challenges of installing it in a the small space under the sink. Plus I already have filtered water coming out of my fridge.

Mine runs into a 32 gallon big brute garbage can. I put a limit switch in the can so when its full it shuts off a valve or my RO/DI unit to stop the flow. My waste line runs into my washer drain.

Unlike some people I don't have a dedicated "Fish Room" so I have to carry water in 5 gal buckets to my tanks. Its a pain but it you do what you gotta do!

mandarin11 · 11-29-2007, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Unlike some people I don't have a dedicated "Fish Room" so I have to carry water in 5 gal buckets to my tanks. Its a pain but it you do what you gotta do!

I know what you mean. My tank is in the living room away from any water outlets.

Thanks to everyone for there suggestions. I'm thinking of going with hooking it up in the laundry room, but there isn't a sink in there so would it be better to maybe fight the-under-the-kitchen-sink war and get it over with? I'm trying to think of the easiest way to get rid of waste water without any unsightly lines peeking out.

I've noticed people mentioning that they sometimes only run theirs for a few hours (obviously we all don't need 75 or 150 or however many gallons per day). Is there a simple on/off switch or do you disconnect it or something?

Thanks again. Sorry to hassle anyone, but pipes and water lines scare me (I have carpet) so I want to get it right.

Tangster · 11-29-2007, 08:30 AM

You live in an apartment ?

mandarin11 · 11-29-2007, 08:36 AM

townhouse condo, so yes, space is limited, but I'll do what I have to to make sure everyone in my tank is alright. Lord knows we're all slaves to our fishtanks at the end of the day anyways.

dragonflylures · 11-29-2007, 09:11 AM

It really is easy to hook it up under the kitchen sink and the waste water drains down well.. the drain. Everything is hidden by the doors under the sink except when you want to drain water into a bucket -- which I try and fill a 5 gallon bucket which lasts a little while (I get about a gallon of evaporation a day). I try and hide as much as possible as well.

mandarin11 · 11-29-2007, 09:27 AM

Thanks dragonfly! Guess I'll go with under the sink then and just tuck the waste line away when it's not in use.

I know I over think things. If this was a calculus problem I'd be fine, but it's something with just a few water lines, ergo total pandemonium. I got the book smarts, not the common sense smarts.