New RO/DI automation

las4444 · 02-04-2008, 01:07 PM

I will be receiving my new ro/di unit in the next day or so. I'm excited for many reasons, but most of all, the partial automation of my water changes and daily top-offs. Since I'm a nerd, I document everything I do.

I have a very extensive home automation system that controls CCTV, blinds, lights, garage door and all AV equipment...and now my tank.

At no time will I ever automate pump and temp control. However, I have added provisions to monitor them. I get up very early and would like to look at the control panel in our bathroom and check the basic parameters.

I have two 10" touch panels. One in the main living space by the tank and the other in the bathroom.

I installed three lighting contactors that receive a discreet input from the control system. I opted to have buttons on the panel that allow me to toggle any of them for maintenance and acclimation purposes without disruption the normal time schedule.

If you have time, take a look at the PDF and review my flow diagram. I'm sure many of you have tackled this and will have good input.

Should I just put a float switch in my sump and not worry about overfill?

A single tube from the unit could still have a T to allow water changes and top-offs.

I will need to run this tube through the attic. By having an open tube at the tank and adding a drain valve at the unit, I could run the tube up in the rafters and this would allow gravity draining at both ends. Freezing is a concern.

Finally, should I insulate the tube since my attic is either blazing hot or cold?

gm333 · 02-04-2008, 06:16 PM

Looks good, my only concern is, are you going to use this as a freshwater top-off, or a waterchange container?

las4444 · 02-04-2008, 06:55 PM

Saltwater changes only. The RO/DI unit will go directly to the tank via a T. I see the error in my sequence. The container would only be filled a day or so prior to a saltwater change. Thanks for the thought.

gm333 · 02-04-2008, 09:37 PM

Alright, I understand now.
First question, does your attic have blown insulation or sheet insulation?
Personally I would run 1/2" cpvc tubing covered with the black pipe insulation, while running the r/o tubing inside the 1/2" cpvc. This way you have protection against freezing in the winter months. This will also protect the r/o tubing from possible rodent teeth, you defiitly dont want to have a rodent chew into the tubing causing a big mess. You can go a step further and add sheet insulation over the cpvc, just to make sure it does not freeze as well.
What auto top off unit are you considering?

las4444 · 02-05-2008, 08:11 AM

I like your idea of protecting the tubing with CPVC and insulating it. It would also keep light away if I were to use clear tubing. I have blown-in insulation. Since I live in GA I think the basic insulation of the shell tube would be just fine.

This is the unit I bought but with the added pressure pump. I run my house right at 30psig so I would like to boost it for better all around performance.

http://www.aquariumwaterfilters.com/...mart&Itemid=26

I have not really looked at any auto top-off units. I'm worried about a malfunction and flooding my hardwood floors. The same danger can exist if the command is given and I get distracted and walk away. I would rather program the command to run for 1 minute and expire. I could check the level of the sump and see if more is needed.

If I were to use a top-off unit I would still use and electronic version with a double safety float.