RO Units: Parts and Their Functions

[RandalB]

Here is the other end of the system, the waste saddle. This is used for attaching the waste line to a drain pipe. A small hole is drilled in the pipe and the saddle clamps around it. The saddle is equipped with another John Guest fitting for ease of installation. The saddle should be attached to the vertical tailpiece of the drainpipe NOT the horizontal pipe after the trap.

Note the gasket, this is vital to preventing leaks and has double stick tape on it to hold it in place,

[RandalB]

Attached to the waste line is a flush valve that contains a flow restrictor.

The flow restrictor provides the backpressure needed by the membrane to force water through it.

[RandalB]

Here is the flush valve assembly. The flow restrictor is located in the "T" fitting on the right. The ball valve in the center when opened, bypasses the restrictor and provides the high flow flush to the membrane surface. Any contaminants are carried away by the water flow and go down the drain.

The waste saddle is off screen to the left and the membrane housing is off to the right

[RandalB]

Last but not least,
Here is a pic of the complete unit. The water feed enters from the fitting on the lower left can and the end product exits from the upper right post filter.

In the horrible photoshop job I did, the red arrows are feed water with chlorine, the yellow arrows are pre-filtered dechlorinated water and the green arrows are product water (RO filtered).

Notice the yellow arrow coming from the waste port via the flush assembly. This water is pure, filtered and dechlorinated water that is only slightly higher in TDS than the feed water. Perfect for growing out young discus.

[RandalB]

That is the final post in this particular thread. Please feel free to post comments and questions.


HTH,
RandalB

[Ardan]

8)

Another excellent learning thread, Randal !!

Thank You!

[shootingstar]

Randalb,

Oh sht, I have connected wrong.

I have connected from the 3rd filter to the clorine remover then the membrance. have I damaged my membrance. No wonder my pair is acting weir lately.

thanks randalb, excellent material.

[sanmerah]

Hi all
I saw some website http://www.purewater4u.com/store/ERP1000.shtml
sale the Aquatec ERP 1000 Permeate Pump for RO system. They said that it will saves 400% of waste water vs. conventional units. Does anyone know about it? Is it true?
Huy

[RandalB]

Huy.
According to Aquatech who makes that pump 400% is a big time exaggeration. It will help in pressure tank situations where there is considerable backpressure against the membrane. It's pretty much useless in open storage tank systems. All the pump does is force the product water into the storage tank instead of having the normal filter action do it. The pump is driven by the waste water flow. I use one on my drinking water system and with the proper shut-off, I pressurize the holding tank to 80PSI.

I can also easily beat that price if you need one...

RandalB

[JROCK]

RANDAL, THE PRICE ON YOUR COMPLETED UNIT?, DOES THIS INCLUDE PUMP FOR MORE PRESSURE LESS WASTE WATER. :

[RandalB]

"J"

Give me an E-mail at Rbogath@aol.com and I'll send you a price list. I give a break for combination RO Unit+Booster kits

RandalB

[justathome]

Hi Randal,
Great artical..
Is it possible you could write down a 'shopping list' of all the components required.
Live in the UK and will start hunting down suppliers and waighing up the cost's.. RO's over here are way more expensive than over your side!!

[RandalB]

Kinda Hard to do for someone from overseas as I don't know what's available.

2-3 10" Canisters w/ 1/4" FPT fittings
1 Metal housing bracket
2x 1/4" Male x 1/4" Quick connect fittings
2x 1/4" Nipples
1 Membrane housing w/ 1/4" QC
1 Filmtec or equivalent membrane
Housing brackets and screws
1 Flow restrictor
2 "T" fittings
1 Ball Valve
1/4" Hose

Kinda General I know,
RandalB

[justathome]

i can get them and the same manufacturer..
The 10" canisters over here are £25..(35-40$)..
will hunt around some more..
My water is GH10 KH5.. will I need all 5 stages??

[discuscraze]

Hi Randal,

Do you have a price for a 3 stage with storage tank and drinking water faucet? I am very interested in getting one for dicus and drinking water (kitchen install).

Please contact me at pavilion10@verizon.net

Thanks
DiscusCraze