Installing Reverse Osmosis in an Apartment

[Return of the Spork]

I figure this has been asked before but every time I search it gives me a 404 error.

How difficult/noisy/expensive is it to install R/O for grow water. I don't care about being able to drink it, I just need to get away from this 700ppm tap water because my water needs are going up.

Under my bathroom sink I have the normal hot/cold water lines that go to the faucet...will I be able to connect the R/O to that and have it fill a res with a float to turn the R/O on/off?

With the R/O you buy off a grow site, what else will need to be purchased?

Thanks

 

[la9]

I just bought an under the sink model since it came with everything including the reservoir tank and was on sale. I use 3 - 6 gallons at a time and I have no problems. The reservoir tank holds three gallons, after you use that it will take a couple hours to fill up again.

You just basically hook up a sadlle valve to the cold water line and then drill a hole in the drain pipe. You also have to drill a hole top side in the sink for the dispensor. That about sums it up. The only noise is water in the drain while it is filtering which is hardly noticible. Works for me. I was going to get a bigger model but needed to buy the tank and valve and on and on, a hardware store had this one on sale becuase it was their grand opening fo $129 I think so I went for it. I haven't had any problems so far. Just depends on how much water you will use.

 

[7th1der]

shit sounds complicated. I too wondered about R/O, but I get Deer Park delivered and I end up with an extra bottle every month which now equals out to a months or so worth.

 

[Return of the Spork]

In my case I wouldn't want the sink attachment. I would assume I could attach a hose with a shutoff valve from the res in order to fill whatever I needed to fill?

Am I correct in thinking that the water pressure in the normal water line is used in order to pressurize the tank enough to push the r/o water to the faucet? Or is there a seperate pump in the tank that facilitates the pumping to the faucet?

 

[oldgrayhair]

You can hook up your RO to the kitchen sink faucet with the right adapter. You can also run it off your cold water line for your washer if you have a laundry room. Ask for a "Dual Y" connector if you want to do that as you can use your washing machine and RO at the same time...which makes my wife VERY happy!

As for the storage tank...which really is just for feeding your drinking water...either via sink dispenser or ball valve, there is a pressurized bladder inside the tank which allows it to feed to faucet.

I''ve had good luck with Home
Got my unit 2 months ago as they have a 10% off if you sign up for their newsletter thingy My water is now making my plants and nutes very nice and simple.

PEace and good luck - OGH

 

[Return of the Spork]

I went ahead and got a whirlpool r/o system from lowes. 160 including a small tank. It comes with all the stuff minus the tools (which i have from building all this grow shit lol) but it uses a saddlevalve which is meant for a solid pipe, and I have a flexible pipe so I need to go get that "Dual Y" connector.

I am almost as happy as when I first sprouted my first seedlings, the thought of not having to conspicuously bring 60 Gallons of water in every two weeks is a very nice thought. The only bummer is going to have to be giving the system enough time to get said 60 gals. I think that can easily be solved by a staggered schedule though.

 

[la9]

How many plants do you have ? 3 gallons of water at a time is a lot, I think. I use mine for my aquarium and I just change 3 gallons at a time. Probably takes three to 4 hours to fll the tank again after you use it all up. 3 gallons a day is plenty enough for me, plants, aquarium and all.

If you wish you can still buy a bigger extension tank, that is the only thing limiting how much you can use at one time.

 

[Return of the Spork]

Doing E&F, every 2 week harvest. So I have 4 res's that take 10-15 gals. So changing those out every 2 weeks takes 10-15 gals each, plus the gals to top up...it gets high fast.

But I have no problem pre-loading some extra rubbermades with water over a couple days, which is what I will need to do.

But it is a non issue now because it is installed and working great.

Very happy =)

Btw it makes the tap water go from 630ppm to 40ppm, which will prove to be a HUGE difference.

 

[GrowFoSho]

In my case I wouldn't want the sink attachment. I would assume I could attach a hose with a shutoff valve from the res in order to fill whatever I needed to fill?

Am I correct in thinking that the water pressure in the normal water line is used in order to pressurize the tank enough to push the r/o water to the faucet? Or is there a seperate pump in the tank that facilitates the pumping to the faucet?

Most likely you will need a booster pump for the Inlet water. The psi needs to be 90 for the RO to run optimum and will lengthen the life of your filters
a delivery pump is very cool to have as well.. No more lugging water in from home depot or spilling all over the carpet trying to use the hose..

 

[doc111]

Most likely you will need a booster pump for the Inlet water. The psi needs to be 90 for the RO to run optimum and will lengthen the life of your filters
a delivery pump is very cool to have as well.. No more lugging water in from home depot or spilling all over the carpet trying to use the hose..

Zombie thread....................

 

[valhalla88]

Is a new amana refridgerator watering filteration good? It dispenses drinking water is it just colling it?
It doesent taste like that from the tap(well water)

 

[valhalla88]

lol...cooling it?

 

[doc111]

lol...cooling it?

There should be an activated charcoal type filter somewhere in your fridge. It's usually inside the refrigerator side on the top right or down at the bottom front of the fridge. Some older models even have the filter on the back. If the filter has been in it for a long time it probably isn't working too well, if at all. Charcoal filtration is good because it removes chlorine and some other contaminants. It doesn't removed dissolved solids which cause hardwater though.

 

[valhalla88]

There should be an activated charcoal type filter somewhere in your fridge. It's usually inside the refrigerator side on the top right or down at the bottom front of the fridge. Some older models even have the filter on the back. If the filter has been in it for a long time it probably isn't working too well, if at all. Charcoal filtration is good because it removes chlorine and some other contaminants. It doesn't removed dissolved solids which cause hardwater though.

My plants seem to be thriving aside from a ozone striping(recovering well)
I use a mixture of the tap after 24hr distill and the fridge.
Thanks for the reply man!