Wasting water, the RO/DI problem! - Page 3

beerguy · 11/03/2009, 04:22 PM

Buh bye Schnookums

TampaSnooker · 11/03/2009, 07:49 PM

wow, that was fun.

I still water the garden with it. For the poster who wanted to know earlier where to get irrigation stuff, I get it dirt cheap at wallmart. 1/4" drip irrigation tubing, T's, lots of different single or gang valves - even micro sprinklers. It's all in the garden section. I've got a big huge octopus in the back yard to make sure my favorite flowers keep moist in dry spells. And don't forget to pick up some couplings as well for the occasional errant shovel.

kc350twin · 11/06/2009, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neptangelo

Before I get kicked off here I better git this one in. If you would like I will fly you down here to Texas and let you test my home water supply with my foot up your smart ***!

Wow! Dude is that necessary?

kc350twin · 11/06/2009, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TampaSnooker

wow, that was fun.

I still water the garden with it. For the poster who wanted to know earlier where to get irrigation stuff, I get it dirt cheap at wallmart. 1/4" drip irrigation tubing, T's, lots of different single or gang valves - even micro sprinklers. It's all in the garden section. I've got a big huge octopus in the back yard to make sure my favorite flowers keep moist in dry spells. And don't forget to pick up some couplings as well for the occasional errant shovel.

Hey when you use the drip tubing and the mini sprinklers do you add a pump of some sort? I had a drip system at my old house and I thought I remember it using 30psi to run the system. Thanks for the info.

TampaSnooker · 11/07/2009, 09:59 AM

I have a pressure pump on the RO system because I use piggy backed membranes. With that set up, I find that i don't need any other pressure. I suppose a traditional system would have enough pressure to push water. My discharge has 3 main lines with 2-5 discharge points on each line. Each output is simply a T with a valve at the end. I get even distribution by adjusting each valve. Not enough flow at one end - just reduce the output at the wettest valve. I'm pushing about 150' at the farthest point.

Ruskin · 11/12/2009, 07:30 PM

I have a question that is somewhat RO/DI related so I thought I would add it here. Hope that's OK. We just moved into our first house where I've setup the ro unit in the basement. The faucet down there has a 1/4" diameter hose attached to it and then that hose runs down the same drain as the washing machines discharge pipe. I understand why the hose is there, but is it really necessary? First time I have encountered this before, and all I can tell is that it wastes a huge amount of water while I run my RO unit. Not only do I have waste water running down the drain but I constantly have that 1/4" tube running more water then the waste down the drain.

I'd like to be able to switch the unit out and save some water but want to make sure that I'm not making some unseen mistake. With the laundry, humidifier and RO unit all draining into the basement drain I cant see how any thing could dry out without having this extra hose down there.

Any thoughts? Much appreciated.

TampaSnooker · 11/12/2009, 08:41 PM

So your source water is running all the time? You can get a shut off solenoid that works by pressure. When a valve or float switch is activated, the solenoid shuts off the supply water. I know Kent sells a kit that most stores have access to. Aqua FX and other manufacturers make them, too.

bwade209 · 11/12/2009, 11:53 PM

I used to never think twice about the wasted water till our town got water meters *ouch* Now I use my waste water to top off my 3000 gal koi pond...they don't seem to mind a bit

Ruskin · 11/13/2009, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TampaSnooker

So your source water is running all the time? You can get a shut off solenoid that works by pressure. When a valve or float switch is activated, the solenoid shuts off the supply water. I know Kent sells a kit that most stores have access to. Aqua FX and other manufacturers make them, too.

No, the this extra tubing only receives water when the basement faucets are turned on. Any time I run the RO unit from this faucet this line runs water down the drain. I'll try to snap a pic of it so that its more clear. I'll just replace the tap if its best to do so, as its an easy cut away and resolder job in the unfinished basement.

rfalvey89 · 11/14/2009, 11:43 PM

The wastewater went into a third bucket with a float switch, and I dumped it into my washer whenever doing the laundry. We set it up so that once the laundry bucket filled, the rest of the water drained outside into a rain barrel (and then onto our lawn).

good times!

...I love it !

ginger7286 · 11/15/2009, 01:06 AM

Plankt0s, that is totally cool!!!!!! I'm going to look into that. Based on your water chemistry about how often do you have to recharge the resin?

Keyvan S · 11/16/2009, 05:57 PM

I've heard that RO/DI is not suitable to consume! is there any facts to prove this, or is it BS.

11/03/2009, 04:22 PM	#51
beerguy Thread Pirate Join Date: May 2002 Location: The left coast Posts: 28,340 Blog Entries: 1	Buh bye Schnookums __________________ Doug "Dodging and burning are steps to take care of mistakes God made in establishing tonal relationships." ~ Ansel Adams Join our Facebook Page Current Tank Info: 180g Envision Acrylics - 1 clown fish

11/12/2009, 07:30 PM	#56
Ruskin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 272	I have a question that is somewhat RO/DI related so I thought I would add it here. Hope that's OK. We just moved into our first house where I've setup the ro unit in the basement. The faucet down there has a 1/4" diameter hose attached to it and then that hose runs down the same drain as the washing machines discharge pipe. I understand why the hose is there, but is it really necessary? First time I have encountered this before, and all I can tell is that it wastes a huge amount of water while I run my RO unit. Not only do I have waste water running down the drain but I constantly have that 1/4" tube running more water then the waste down the drain. I'd like to be able to switch the unit out and save some water but want to make sure that I'm not making some unseen mistake. With the laundry, humidifier and RO unit all draining into the basement drain I cant see how any thing could dry out without having this extra hose down there. Any thoughts? Much appreciated. __________________ -Matt Current Tank Info: 120g w/ 30g Sump ‡ 2-250w H. Tech. MH + 2 URI VHO's ‡ D.A.S. Ex-2 Skimmer ‡ Aquacontroller Jr. w/ Aquasurf ‡ 2xTunze 6101's

11/14/2009, 11:43 PM	#60
rfalvey89 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Tampa Posts: 37	what science! The wastewater went into a third bucket with a float switch, and I dumped it into my washer whenever doing the laundry. We set it up so that once the laundry bucket filled, the rest of the water drained outside into a rain barrel (and then onto our lawn). good times! ...I love it ! __________________ ....None of you understand. I'm not locked up in here with you. You're locked up in here with ME! -Rorschach

11/15/2009, 01:06 AM	#61
ginger7286 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Delray Beach, Florida Posts: 505	Plankt0s, that is totally cool!!!!!! I'm going to look into that. Based on your water chemistry about how often do you have to recharge the resin? __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways totally worn out shouting "Holy crap...what a ride!" Current Tank Info: 125 Reef Tank, Precision Marine equipment with a live rock/sand filtration. 30G. Nano with 2 percs, a Coral Banded Shrimp and a beautiful little Flaming Prawn Goby.

11/03/2009, 07:49 PM	#52
TampaSnooker Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 57	wow, that was fun. I still water the garden with it. For the poster who wanted to know earlier where to get irrigation stuff, I get it dirt cheap at wallmart. 1/4" drip irrigation tubing, T's, lots of different single or gang valves - even micro sprinklers. It's all in the garden section. I've got a big huge octopus in the back yard to make sure my favorite flowers keep moist in dry spells. And don't forget to pick up some couplings as well for the occasional errant shovel.

11/07/2009, 09:59 AM	#55
TampaSnooker Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 57	I have a pressure pump on the RO system because I use piggy backed membranes. With that set up, I find that i don't need any other pressure. I suppose a traditional system would have enough pressure to push water. My discharge has 3 main lines with 2-5 discharge points on each line. Each output is simply a T with a valve at the end. I get even distribution by adjusting each valve. Not enough flow at one end - just reduce the output at the wettest valve. I'm pushing about 150' at the farthest point.

11/12/2009, 08:41 PM	#57
TampaSnooker Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 57	So your source water is running all the time? You can get a shut off solenoid that works by pressure. When a valve or float switch is activated, the solenoid shuts off the supply water. I know Kent sells a kit that most stores have access to. Aqua FX and other manufacturers make them, too.

11/12/2009, 11:53 PM	#58
bwade209 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 40	I used to never think twice about the wasted water till our town got water meters ouch Now I use my waste water to top off my 3000 gal koi pond...they don't seem to mind a bit

11/16/2009, 05:57 PM	#62
Keyvan S Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Grand Bay, NB,Canada Posts: 55	I've heard that RO/DI is not suitable to consume! is there any facts to prove this, or is it BS.