Reverse Osmosis

303 said:

Maybe a victory said about the back pressure, I still don't really understand what he meant but probably will get it once I receive it, my roommate is a plumber so I think we can figure it out? I only need 40 gallons every res change, and because my water is always way too cold out the tap I leave them sitting in 5 gal buckets anyway so over the course of a couple days I'm sure I could manage.

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when you buy the unit, it has a drain connector, the connector is reduced in size, so the water that goes thru it creates a back pressure in the system which causes the r/o water to come out at the proper g.p.h, if it was left to just flow into a bucket, there would be no back pressure and the unit would pump about 9 to 1 waist to good.

It's very helpful to get fully acquainted with how a reverse osmosis system works in order to put together an appropriate system, here's a pretty good site I found with a quick google search http://espwaterproducts.com/about-reverse-osmosis.htm

Typical systems with an automatic shutoff valve(ASV) and pressure tank are meant to deliver intermittent small amounts of water, better to have some non-pressurized storage and do away with the ASV so the membrane never has back pressure on the clean water output, which reduces efficiency. My system has a single 75gpd membrane and keeps four 55gallon drums full at all times so there's always 200gallons waiting if I need it, and the RO filter gradually replenishes it when I don't. A solenoid valve controls input water to the RO system so the output is never restricted. Also most RO membranes are GPD rated at higher than average house water pressures so at typical 40psi they'll deliver less than rated output, personally I'd rather add an extra membrane than a booster pump for more output, less noise and no pump to break.

You need sufficient pressure in your pipes to get eh max out GPD out of yoru RO system. My RO system came with a tank that holds about 3 gallons or so and the system is 75 GPD I think. I only need about 15 gallons for each res change so what I do is collect the water from the tank several times a day while I fill up a separate 18gallon rubermaid roughneck plastic tote that is raised off the ground and fitted with a brass ball valve on the side of the bottom. Works for me and I dont mid filling the tub. The RO system is hooked up to my cold water tap and drains into my sink drain. If you don't have a tank your gonna need to leave the RO system on drizzling water until you fill your desired volume. it takes a few hrs depending on your GPH and pressure. Just don't leave it unattended or it could flood.

Whats the ratio waste to treated water? If its 3gal to 1gal that's a lot of wasting water.

303 said:

Whats the ratio waste to treated water? If its 3gal to 1gal that's a lot of wasting water.

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Yup several parts waste water goes down the drain for every part clean water saved, doesn't bother me though, water comes from the ground and is returned to the ground, no different than taking a shower or washing dishes or flushing the toilet. I suppose one could use the RO waste water on a lawn or something to be super green.

This is what I bought.

http://www.growlightexpress.com/water-purification-34/hydro-logic-stealth-173.html

So glad I found this thread! Been thinking of getting an RO sys but had no clue which to get. I now have a better idea though of how this works but have storage related questions unanswered.

Question is, how do you store the water? I see that some systems come with a pressurized container for a small amount of water. My issue is that I have (6) 25gal containers and change the res's every week or so.
Do I need to get a giant storage container for the water that is made OR is it as simple as turning on the facet that is hooked up to the RO sys and filling my 25gal containers.

Hope this made since.

Thanks

nixusr said:

So glad I found this thread! Been thinking of getting an RO sys but had no clue which to get. I now have a better idea though of how this works but have storage related questions unanswered.

Question is, how do you store the water? I see that some systems come with a pressurized container for a small amount of water. My issue is that I have (6) 25gal containers and change the res's every week or so.
Do I need to get a giant storage container for the water that is made OR is it as simple as turning on the facet that is hooked up to the RO sys and filling my 25gal containers.

Hope this made since.

Thanks

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I use 5o gal food grade barrells, I find them for $20 on ebay and craigslist

350 ppm does not mean your water is bad...you should fill a bucket and retest,chances are that it will go down about 20-30 ppm over night. Also, pull a report for your water (all water companies must provide them), it may be the ppm is coming from things you are gonna need like mag, calcium, silica, etc. You should know that if you use RO water you are going to have to supplement with all the additives you are going to remove in filtering, driving your ppm back up pretty close to where it was before.

PeaceFarmer said:

350 ppm does not mean your water is bad...you should fill a bucket and retest,chances are that it will go down about 20-30 ppm over night. Also, pull a report for your water (all water companies must provide them), it may be the ppm is coming from things you are gonna need like mag, calcium, silica, etc. You should know that if you use RO water you are going to have to supplement with all the additives you are going to remove in filtering, driving your ppm back up pretty close to where it was before.

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Wow. 3 pages before someone brought that up? He's right. I have a well with a ton of iron in it, and use R/O because I have to. If I had city water, I'd let the chlorine evaporate after a couple of days & use it. Unless you're really trying to get a precise nute regiment down, then by all means go for it.

Wow, great info! I'm going to fire up my truncheon and test a bucket of fresh water then retest it in 24 hours to see what changes take place. Also did not know you could pull a report from the water co. Thanks folks!

This is a great thread. Im going to buy my RO system from www.purewaterclub.com next week when I get paid kick ass