Installing RO/DI (Melev? Anybody?)

[CeeGee]

I have almost sucessfully installed my RO/DI unit in a permanent location. I have the unit itself installed under my sink and the drain line ran into a dishwasher adapter and sealed with rubber tape. I put in a tee and ran the 3/8" line back up to my sink and another 3/8" line to a valve so I can shut the unit off and was going to take it down to the 1/4" line from there similar to this (http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=218574).

It leaks like crazy.

I went to Melev's site to see how he hooks these up and found it was very similar. This is the part that is getting me (http://www.gentryillustration.com/images/reefcentral/melev_rodi.jpg). I put the brass nut on the plastic tubing then I put the ferrule on and tighten it down and the ferrule warps or something ( I am tightening it down good like Melev instructs) and it leaks and leaks and leaks.

I really need to make some water and need to get this thing going. I am 95% there just this one last obstacle is stopping me. If anyone can help I would appreciate it. I am not a DIY kinda guy so the easier the better.

Thanks,
C.G.

[Chibils]

I'm not much of a diy guy either, so I would put teflon tape on it until I figure out what's going wrong. :)

[CeeGee]

I did that and that didn't help. I have it down to a very slow leak. I tightened it as tight as I could so I can at least make some water until I figure out how to make it right.

[RandalB]

You need to put a brass (or plastic) insert in the tube. Those kind of compression fittings are designed to be used with copper pipe, and tend to smash poly tube unless you put an insert in it.

Go to your local hardware store and tell 'em you need to use plastic tube in a compression fitting. They'll hook you up with the right inserts. They should'nt be more than a buck or so....

RandalB

[CeeGee]

cool. I will give that a try. Thanks for the tip.

[coralfragger101]

Yep - Randal got it. That is definately your problem.

[CeeGee]

I am going to go tomorrow morning. Just for the record let me make sure I understand. I use the same type of fitting that I have but I get a insert (brass or plastic) that goes inside the plastic tubing to keep the plastic tubing from collapsing once the ferulle compresses?. Right?

Should I tighten it and test it then tighten some more and repeat until no leakage?

[RandalB]

Yep, you got it...

[CeeGee]

Thank you guys so much! Now if I can get a guy at the hardware store that know what I am talking about.... :)

Would one of you be kind enough to see if you can look up one of those inserts on lowes.com and post the link if you can find it. That way if I get someone that doesn't know what I am talking about I can look up the part # and get it myself. No biggie if that is asking too much as you have helped me more than you can imagine already.

Scratch that. Is this what I am looking for?


http://www.gentryillustration.com/images/reefcentral/Insert.jpg

[coralfragger101]

Here's a picture.

http://www.fastfittings.com/page/590147

It's the brass insert.

[CeeGee]

Thanks.

Getting one in the am. Thanks everyone for your help!

[RandalB]

That's what RC is all about...

RandalB

[CeeGee]

I don't know what I would do without this site. I seriously appreciate all the help.

[CeeGee]

I am crossing my fingers and hoping as I believe I got it going. Thanks for the help.