Need some help setting up new (used) RO

[DrHarryLopez]

Need some help setting up new (used) RO
First I need some plumbing fitting help to connect my RO hose to:http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/DrHarryLopez/faucetinxraydevroom.jpg?t=1294884051

I see that i'll have to shut off the water and unscrew the valve, but what is available out there to put in its place that I can connect my RO and use the same valve? Does this make sense?

[BIG L A]

Say the word, you have my #...

[DrHarryLopez]

Say the word, you have my #...

You the man!

[OzoneParkGuy]

Go to the garden section in Home Depot, the isle with the sprinkler fitting and look for a 2way brass garden hose adapter(looks like Y and also has 2 small black valves to open and close each side).Now your ro unit should have an adapter to connect to either side of the Y adapter. If not, then goto the plumbing section and ALSO get the adapter for an ro unit to garden hose. Should cost no more than $10.00 bucks for both pieces.

[DgenR8]

Go to the garden section in Home Depot, the isle with the sprinkler fitting and look for a 2way brass garden hose adapter(looks like Y and also has 2 small black valves to open and close each side).Now your ro unit should have an adapter to connect to either side of the Y adapter. If not, then goto the plumbing section and ALSO get the adapter for an ro unit to garden hose. Should cost no more than $10.00 bucks for both pieces.

That's all correct, but if you want to, I can walk you through hooking up a doorbell transformer and low voltage sprinkler valve with a float switch to make your RO/DI an auto top off as well as an RO/DI.

[DrHarryLopez]

That's all correct, but if you want to, I can walk you through hooking up a doorbell transformer and low voltage sprinkler valve with a float switch to make your RO/DI an auto top off as well as an RO/DI.

Now thats fancy! I'd like to make RO/DI an auto top off as well! If you have a supplies list I can pick it all up in the next week or so.

[DgenR8]

You'll need the low voltage sprinkler valve. There are several on the market, available at Home Depot, Lowes or any decent hardware store or sprinkler specialty shop. Probably least expensive at Depot or Lowes, and should be around $20.00. The one I have is made by a company called "Water Master" and would screw conveniently right on to the hose bib you posted above. There is a commonly available hose bib to 1/4" RO/DI hose adapter that may have come with your RO/DI, if not, Depot sells adapters to get you to the right size.
You'll also need a doorbell transformer available also at any home center or hardware store. The toughest thing to get is the float switch from Grainger. They tend to not want to do business with anyone that doesn't have a business account with them, but I have walked in off the street and bought stuff, you just have to be nice to them ;)
Here's the switch:
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/MADISON-Switch-2A554
You'll want to build a PVC capsule for the switch to live in so that critters can't mess with it (if a snail were to sit on that switch, it would remain in the "on" position until the snail left. That could be MANY gallons of RO/DI water added to your system causing overflows, and salinity dillution).
Here's where I got the idea/plan for the switch protector:
http://www.hawkfish.org/snailman/diytofloat.htm.
Wiring is pretty simple. The sprinkler valve is grounded to the cold water pipe, and the transformer is connected to 120V house current. The low voltage from the transformer goes to the float switch, and then the switched leg goes to the sprinkler valve. You set the switch in your sump at the level you want to maintain, and when the water level drops, the switch sends current to the sprinkler valve which opens, and feeds your RO/DI with "dirty" water to purify.

[DgenR8]

Here's the sprinkler valve I'm using, Doc.
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/QuickViewService?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053&R=100006711&catEntryId=100006711

[THEDLO]

i sense a workshop coming on. :D

[BIG L A]

Nice lil automator Larry...

[DgenR8]

It doesn't cost much, and mine has been working for at least 5 or 6 years. There is a downside though. It's best to discard the first 1/2 gallon or so of RO/DI water each time you start your unit. That water will tend to be less clean than what your unit will put out after that. This means that each time your auto top off kicks on, you're gettinng something less than pristine water to start out. On a system of 500 + gallons, I don't think that's a concern. In a 3 gallon pico, I think it's a major concern.

[DrHarryLopez]

They didnt have the Orbit 150 psi Automatic Inline Valve. I guess I have to go to lowes
http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/300/a7/a7772082-76cc-4218-8e07-2d870dd6e83d_300.jpg

I have a Liquid Level Switch, Poly Float
http://images.grainger.com/B323_34/images/products/250x250/Switch-2A554_AS01.JPG

Now I guess i have to make a Top Off Float Switch fixture
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/DrHarryLopez/FloatSwitchAssembly.jpg

Progress in the making....,

[afernandez]

Damn larry! Lol thats good info. This is why i love this place

[DgenR8]

:thumbsup:

[Turbovr3six]

Very clever Larry! I'm gonna give that a try. :beer:

[DgenR8]

One more thing, Doc. The switch housing in the picture is made of 1" PVC. I did that at first, but the switch would rub in the inside of the capsule and that caused my top off to add water long after it should have stopped. Making the housing or capsule out of 2" PVC solved that issue.
Also, I found that running the wires through a rigid piece of plastic tube helps with adjustments.

[DrHarryLopez]

OPG n I setup a newer larger 75g/day RO, now to get the other parts.

Just not enough time in a day to......

[DgenR8]

LOL, good thing there's always tomorrow......

[Staaan]

Out of curiosity... about how much is this costing you? If its in my budget.. I think I'd like to make one as well...

[DrHarryLopez]

ok, so far
installed is the RO system
75/day RO bought from a fellow reefer $75
1/4 in. x 20 ft. PVC Tubing $3 X 2 = $6
various fittings $10

[DgenR8]

Where did you get the tubing from?

[DrHarryLopez]

Where did you get the tubing from?

Hi Larry I bought the tubing from HD

[DrHarryLopez]

BigLA here is the RO setup under the kitchen sink
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/DrHarryLopez/Reef%20Pictures/IMG01139-20110119-1849Small.jpg

I like the valve on this connection
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/DrHarryLopez/Reef%20Pictures/IMG01136-20110119-1848Small.jpg

[afernandez]

Nice ..i would love to do this in the future

[DrHarryLopez]

Picked up the needed plumbing for my RO connection.
First the faucet fittings for the RO
Here is the faucet
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/DrHarryLopez/Reef%20Pictures/IMG01087-20101230-2045Small.jpg

The fittings fron HD. Both cost a total of about $6
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/DrHarryLopez/Reef%20Pictures/IMG01134-20110119-1844Small.jpg

The smallest both fittings needed teflon tape
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/DrHarryLopez/Reef%20Pictures/IMG01146-20110122-1914Small.jpg

RO on the wall and connected. This RO has a TDS Meter directly on the RO as well as a pressure gauge
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/DrHarryLopez/Reef%20Pictures/IMG01147-20110122-1915Small.jpg

The tubing runs up and through the ceiling tiles and down into the fishroom
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/DrHarryLopez/Reef%20Pictures/IMG01148-20110122-1915Small.jpg

[DrHarryLopez]

I completely forgot that I had purchased Level-Loc Auto Top Off Unit for RO Systems (http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/level-loc-auto-top-off-unit-for-ro-systems.html)
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/DrHarryLopez/Reef%20Pictures/level-loc-black2.jpg
It has three redundant safety measures that ensure complete protection against damaging overflows. Ck out their movie

Well I set it up on a 30 G drum to fill up.
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/DrHarryLopez/Reef%20Pictures/IMG01150-20110122-1916Small.jpg

http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/DrHarryLopez/Reef%20Pictures/IMG01149-20110122-1915Small.jpg

[DgenR8]

Hi Larry I bought the tubing from HD

I didn't know Depot sold that tubing. Do they also have those snap fit (John Guest) fittings (like these)http://www.gamurdock.com/Quick-Connect-Fittings.htm?gclid=CIeZhfD40KYCFc9w5Qod9UA2Ig??

[DrHarryLopez]

I didn't know Depot sold that tubing. Do they also have those snap fit (John Guest) fittings (like these)http://www.gamurdock.com/Quick-Connect-Fittings.htm?gclid=CIeZhfD40KYCFc9w5Qod9UA2Ig??

They do have Quick-Connect-Fittings, i didnt ck if they had T's but i'm quite sure they do.... Look by the RO systems and fittings

[afernandez]

nice work harry

[DgenR8]

They do have Quick-Connect-Fittings, i didnt ck if they had T's but i'm quite sure they do.... Look by the RO systems and fittings

That must be a fairly recent development. I searched the Freeport store from top to bottom about 18 months ago and came up empty. I'll be making a stop today ;)