R.O. Installation - need advice.

khpddog · 02/20/2008, 09:54 PM

I am starting up a 210g FOWLR and plan to install a Typhoon R.O. - not sure what model. Can anyone explain:

1) Is the waste water pumped out or it is gravity dependent.

2) Do I need to install the unit in a certain position i.e, above tank, below tank, or it does not matter.

3) What model should I use.

4) What is the basic setup.

I am installing the tank in wall, under my steps with the ability to install all of my equipment in the same room. My goal is to install the R.O. unit and have the waste drain to a pipe overhead. My supply line is also very close and not an issue. Any advic would be appreciated.

AZDesertRat · 02/20/2008, 10:21 PM

The waste flow is pressurized. It is basically at house pressure.

You can install it anywhere since it is a pressurized system. Its usually best to have it close to a cold water source like a sink, washing machine or hose bib though and somewhat close to a place to dispose of the waster or flush water.

The Typhoon III is a very popular model. If you were going to spend as much as the Extreme costs I would look at the Spectrapure MaxCap instead as it is a much better unit for just slightly more money.

For basic setups it depends on how you want to store the RO/DI water or just RO water. For years I stored RO only water in a 14 gallon pressure tank then fed it back to the DI whan I wanted RO/DI water. This allowed me to use the same unit for drinking, cooking, ice maker and other uses too.
Now I have a MaxCap UHE and store RO/DI water in a 25 gallon Rubbermaid trash can with flaot switches and a solenoid controller. Its more robust than a float valve and less prone to failure.

Burbs · 02/20/2008, 10:22 PM

1. pumped
2.doesnt matter
3.the best your can afford with high GPD and ro/di

tankman10000 · 02/20/2008, 10:24 PM

the filter guys have some great units

NewFish3 · 02/20/2008, 11:10 PM

I just got started with a saltwater tank. I started out small with a BioCube, but I can see that I will want to expand to a bigger tank.

At what size tank does it realy make sence to by a RO system, Rather then just getting it from your LFS.

ccso139 · 02/21/2008, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by NewFish3
I just got started with a saltwater tank. I started out small with a BioCube, but I can see that I will want to expand to a bigger tank.

At what size tank does it realy make sence to by a RO system, Rather then just getting it from your LFS.

For me it was 55g tank and 20g sump. I did not want to haul 70+ gallons of water!!!! I am very pleased w/ my decision to go ahead and buy a ro/di unit. Let me give you a bit of math: If you use 5g "gas" containers to haul your water (unused of course) @ roughly $20 per container and you want to do 25 gallons per trip + cost of "publix" filtered water (hoping that their filter has been changed recently) + cost of gas to make 3 trips to said "publix):

$100 for water containers
$18.75 for cost of water
$20.00ish for cost of gas (I only get 8 mpg)
---------
$138.75

cost of my not having to haul water and peace of mind that I have good water= PRICELESS!!!

Oh, yeah, I paid $199.00 shipped to the door for ro/di unit and hopefully it'll last for a long time!!!!

http://www.melevsreef.com/ro_di.html

rolodex1 · 02/21/2008, 06:58 AM

I think I've saved tons of money since I have started making my own ro/di saltwater. You can do water changes when ever you need to or want to. Here is a picture of my set up.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/...er_Storage.jpg

I purchased this container on the internet for about $100.00usd it works great. I installed a float valve/shut off (Kent).

clevername · 02/21/2008, 10:31 AM

Also we should mention the built in TDS meters are very poor. Save yourself $40 and buy a handheld one.

khpddog · 02/21/2008, 07:18 PM

Hey Rolodex 1
Thanks for the pic. Were does the pvc at the bottom of the tank go? Also, why do you need the container of water and were did you get that container?

02/20/2008, 09:54 PM	#1
khpddog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 19	R.O. Installation - need advice. I am starting up a 210g FOWLR and plan to install a Typhoon R.O. - not sure what model. Can anyone explain: 1) Is the waste water pumped out or it is gravity dependent. 2) Do I need to install the unit in a certain position i.e, above tank, below tank, or it does not matter. 3) What model should I use. 4) What is the basic setup. I am installing the tank in wall, under my steps with the ability to install all of my equipment in the same room. My goal is to install the R.O. unit and have the waste drain to a pipe overhead. My supply line is also very close and not an issue. Any advic would be appreciated.

02/20/2008, 11:10 PM	#5
NewFish3 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,096	I just got started with a saltwater tank. I started out small with a BioCube, but I can see that I will want to expand to a bigger tank. At what size tank does it realy make sence to by a RO system, Rather then just getting it from your LFS. __________________ On a scuba dive in the Cayman Islands, I kept thinking.........Why is that Fish getting bigger.........Then it hit me Current Tank Info: 7 years saltwater.. Setting up a 120 gal reef. Office BioCube 14...1 perc clown, 1 royal gramma, 1 six line wrasse, fire shrimp, cleaner shrimp, green stripe, brown shrooms, coco worm, purple leather, Misc CUC

02/21/2008, 06:58 AM	#7
rolodex1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 1,297	Water Storage Pic I think I've saved tons of money since I have started making my own ro/di saltwater. You can do water changes when ever you need to or want to. Here is a picture of my set up. http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/...er_Storage.jpg I purchased this container on the internet for about $100.00usd it works great. I installed a float valve/shut off (Kent).

02/21/2008, 10:31 AM	#8
clevername Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Manchester, MO Posts: 1,125	Also we should mention the built in TDS meters are very poor. Save yourself $40 and buy a handheld one. __________________ In process: 210gal, VARIOS-8 return, Kessil Lights, 80 gal sump, mp60's, and REGAL 200EXT 8" RECIRCULATING skimmer

02/20/2008, 10:21 PM	#2
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	The waste flow is pressurized. It is basically at house pressure. You can install it anywhere since it is a pressurized system. Its usually best to have it close to a cold water source like a sink, washing machine or hose bib though and somewhat close to a place to dispose of the waster or flush water. The Typhoon III is a very popular model. If you were going to spend as much as the Extreme costs I would look at the Spectrapure MaxCap instead as it is a much better unit for just slightly more money. For basic setups it depends on how you want to store the RO/DI water or just RO water. For years I stored RO only water in a 14 gallon pressure tank then fed it back to the DI whan I wanted RO/DI water. This allowed me to use the same unit for drinking, cooking, ice maker and other uses too. Now I have a MaxCap UHE and store RO/DI water in a 25 gallon Rubbermaid trash can with flaot switches and a solenoid controller. Its more robust than a float valve and less prone to failure.

02/20/2008, 10:22 PM	#3
Burbs Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Charleston,SC Posts: 324	1. pumped 2.doesnt matter 3.the best your can afford with high GPD and ro/di

02/20/2008, 10:24 PM	#4
tankman10000 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: lyles,tn Posts: 50	the filter guys have some great units

02/21/2008, 07:18 PM	#9
khpddog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 19	Hey Rolodex 1 Thanks for the pic. Were does the pvc at the bottom of the tank go? Also, why do you need the container of water and were did you get that container?