RO Systems

[sandyeggoxj]

This morning I was driving by a water filtration company so I dropped in to see what they sold. We got to talking and they ended up writing me a quote for a RO system that would produce 150 gallons/24-hour period with a 3:1 rejection rate, (1) 5-micron sediment filter, (2) carbon filters and then another post membrane carbon filter. 5 total filter elements. Total cost was $250 with all the filters.

This seems like a decent deal for the amount of RO water is produces. I have seen cheaper stuff but at a much lower production rate. I am brewing 10-25 gallon batches so I potentially need a lot of filtered water. Also, my HERMS coils is raised in my 30-gallon hlt so I need a lot of volume to cover it. And since that is my sparge water it should be RO too. I plan to let it run the day before brew day and store it in atmospheric tanks. I get free LME containers from the lhbs so that part is cheap and easy. I currently have 2 just sitting here.

So what do you guys use for RO? How much did you spend?

 

[acidrain]

That's about $130 more than I spent.
First of all, unless they went to your house and measured your water pressure, there is no way they can say what the rejection ratio and gallons per day is. It's hugely reliant on water pressure.
Second, unless you have really nasty water, you don't need all those filters.
A primary, secondary, and charcoal is all that is needed (usually).
Third, you will need to use a reservoir, right? Settle for a little smaller system, add an automatic float valve to a 55 gallon pickle barrel, and have more than enough water anytime you need it. Use 1" PVC piping, and fill pots with blinding speed.
Compare what they quoted you to ebay.

 

[sandyeggoxj]

Well, they did not come to the house, so there is that. They are literally at the end of my street and have been around town for a long time. I would guess that they have a pretty good idea of how of my conditions. The reality though is that that I really don't have real numbers or data.

Do you have a brand that you recommend from ebay? What kind of membrane life do you get? Do you have a softener or naturally soft water? I live in the desert of southern Arizona, so water is somewhat crappy. Very hard. Good news is that it is only chlorine, no chloramines.

I like the 55-gallon barrel idea. I'll have to find a decent hdpe plastic barrel around here somewhere. LME tubs are only 15-16 gallons each.. I was thinking about using a manifold to fill multiple.

 

[rodduley]

I plan on doing somthing like the OP and am also interested in the feedback. One question I have is can you turn on your RO system a day or so before brewing and then turn it off if you don't plan on brewing for a month or so with out risk of drying out any filters or membrane and causing damage? Any risk to letting the filter sit unused far any length of time? Also I have a 27 gallon stainless tank instead of plastic that I wanted to use for the storage (bling factor). I have read that RO water is "agressive". Any risk in just storing RO water in stainless for a day or two or should I just go plastic?

 

[Gameface]

I have been a little overwhelmed when shopping for RO systems. The stuff I see on Amazon has so many bad reviews I worry that I'll spend way too much on a system that will not work well. I want something that will deliver essentially "pure" brewing water (obviously I will add back what is needed) and not become a major chore on or between brew days.

 

[sandyeggoxj]

These are all questions I have as well. I know what to do with the water once I have it, but what system will reliably make it? And for cheap!

 

[srice]

sub'd because I'm looking for a very similar solution - RO system that gets used every couple of weeks and sits unused between brew days.

 

[illinoisbrassman]

A guy at work used to install and maintain water systems for labs, hospitals and the like. So I asked him one day about a water filtration system for brewing. He told me that the filter he has at home is a 5 stage setup he bought off ebay for $100 with undersink storage tank. He said the only change he had made was to change the final filter to some coconut filter for better taste as the final stage.

He is also the cheapest person I know, and is paranoid about the coming zombie apocalypse, to the point he put together a backpack ro filter for each member of his family. I had to sit thru that presentation when I ask him about brewing water.

 

[dirkomatic]

Most of these systems are the same and built from standard parts, but options increase the cost... You have to really consider what you want. I am really happy with my system, but it took me a while to get there. Plus, I have some different needs... I also use mine for saltwater aquarium top off and refill water so I need deionized (DI) water as well. For brewing, we can usually get away with reverse osmosis (RO...)

From experience, get one with clear canisters. That way you can see when you need to change the filter cartridges instead of having to take them apart.

You should probably get a pressure gauge... These are usually tossed in for free, but could cost $10. When the pressure drops, it's time to replace the membrane.

A pressure/storage tank is a decent idea unless you build a storage tank yourself with a float valve. I actually have a pressure tank and a DIY storage tank. The pressure/storage tank provides with water at a decent rate (think water from an in-door supply on a refrigerator); otherwise the RO water just drips out.

If you need DI, you need refillable resin chambers. For brewing purposes, this is usually considered overkill.

The coconut filter mentioned above is a post-filter drinking water cartridge. I recommend these for brewing water.

Last but not least is a TDI meter to test the total dissolved solids. You can buy meters which just insert into the lines.

Again, these can be fairly cheap, but it all comes down to which options you want/need.

 

[dirkomatic]

IMO, this is one of the best values I can find for brewing purposes on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Reverse-Osmosis-Water-Filter-system-100-GPD-5-stage-clear-housing-/111020034965?pt=Small_Kitchen_Appliances_US&hash=item19d94f4b95#ht_900wt_891

No pressure gauge, though...

 

[Rerun]

I bought this one: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-4-stage-ro-only-system-75gpd.html I am very happy with it. I have it mounted above my laundry tub and attach it to the spigot via a garden hose sized adapter which was included.

If you are only using an RO system for brewing and not for everyday household use then I think you would be hard pressed to find a more quality unit.

 

[BBL_Brewer]

There's an article on RO units that might help with some of these questions.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/reverse-osmosis-guide.html

 

[Yooper]

I bought this one: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-4-stage-ro-only-system-75gpd.html I am very happy with it. I have it mounted above my laundry tub and attach it to the spigot via a garden hose sized adapter which was included.

If you are only using an RO system for brewing and not for everyday household use then I think you would be hard pressed to find a more quality unit.

That's the one I have. I have mine attaching to the laundry room sink with one of the included parts (it just screws onto the faucet), and I fill my HLT from there (brewery is in the laundry room).

I paid $120. I get 14 gallons of RO water in about 4 hours. My HLT is a keg, so that's about all it holds with the HERMS coil and element in there.

 

[dirkomatic]

BRS is definitely a good source. I get my cartridges and resin from them. Having the pressure tank and the extra post filter is nice in the one I linked. As I mentioned, all of these are really built from the same parts. It comes down to how much you want to pay for what options.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Home Brew mobile app

 

[rodduley]

Can somebody clarify my earlier question of using a 27 gallon stainless vessel as a holding tank and any concerns about turning the RO unit off when not in use.
Thanks..

 

[BBL_Brewer]

Can somebody clarify my earlier question of using a 27 gallon stainless vessel as a holding tank and any concerns about turning the RO unit off when not in use.
Thanks..

Should be ok. I would make sure that the SS vessel is dry and passivated before you start using it as a reservoir. Check it a day or two after you fill it and make sure it isn't rusting. If it's good stainless it shouldn't rust, but I don't know what kind of vessel you're using and where it came from. I use a 45 gallon rubbermaid trashcan. No problems with turning off the RO unit when you don't need it. Won't hurt it at all.

 

[bja]

No problems with turning off the RO unit when you don't need it. Won't hurt it at all.

No problem if it stays filled with water. The membrane cannot dry out.

 

[BBL_Brewer]

No problem if it stays filled with water. The membrane cannot dry out.

That's true, but I wasn't expecting him to drain it. I have a valve on mine and just open it manually when I want to generate water.

 

[bja]

That's true, but I wasn't expecting him to drain it. I have a valve on mine and just open it manually when I want to generate water.

Some people hook them up temporarily with quick disconnects. In this case it's possible that the membrane housing could drain.

 

[acidrain]

$99.99 w/di: http://www.ebay.com/itm/PORTABLE-Du...all_Kitchen_Appliances_US&hash=item2a344eb817
Add one of these float valves: http://www.ebay.com/itm/PORTABLE-Du...all_Kitchen_Appliances_US&hash=item2a344eb817
To fill a large plastic barrel: http://www.ebay.com/itm/55-GALLON-P...059?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item417dc7db5b
And you have a complete system that fills and shuts off automatically so you always have 55 gallons of water.

True, it's a little bit smaller of a system, but you don't need it to be fast if it's filling a reservoir. It's full when you need it.

 

[BBL_Brewer]

$99.99 w/di: http://www.ebay.com/itm/PORTABLE-Du...all_Kitchen_Appliances_US&hash=item2a344eb817
Add one of these float valves: http://www.ebay.com/itm/PORTABLE-Du...all_Kitchen_Appliances_US&hash=item2a344eb817
To fill a large plastic barrel: http://www.ebay.com/itm/55-GALLON-P...059?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item417dc7db5b
And you have a complete system that fills and shuts off automatically so you always have 55 gallons of water.

True, it's a little bit smaller of a system, but you don't need it to be fast if it's filling a reservoir. It's full when you need it.

Your link for the float valve is a duplicate link for the RO system. Just a heads up so you can post the link you intended to.

 

[sandyeggoxj]

Wow, this thread turned into way more than I thought! This is awesome. I have a new plan and I will see what sort of cash I have left over after building my new stand and go from there. Before the stand I am into this project around $4600... Man all I did was blink and poof I spent all my money!

 

[jbaysurfer]

Your link for the float valve is a duplicate link for the RO system. Just a heads up so you can post the link you intended to.

Yes please!

 

[acidrain]

Your link for the float valve is a duplicate link for the RO system. Just a heads up so you can post the link you intended to.

Oops, sorry. Float valve here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Float-Water...085805664?pt=Fish_Filters&hash=item43c610e860
And you'll need the auto on/off valve too: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Auto-Shut-O...330?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a1d429572

The on/off valve is needed so that when out output water is stopped by the float valve, the waste water is also stopped.

 

[BBL_Brewer]

Oops, sorry. Float valve here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Float-Water...085805664?pt=Fish_Filters&hash=item43c610e860
And you'll need the auto on/off valve too: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Auto-Shut-O...330?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a1d429572

The on/off valve is needed so that when out output water is stopped by the float valve, the waste water is also stopped.

Sweet. I've been looking for a float valve for this and that one looks perfect. I searched ebay before, but never saw that one. Thanks.

 

[cfrazier77]

Should be ok. I would make sure that the SS vessel is dry and passivated before you start using it as a reservoir. Check it a day or two after you fill it and make sure it isn't rusting. If it's good stainless it shouldn't rust, but I don't know what kind of vessel you're using and where it came from. I use a 45 gallon rubbermaid trashcan. No problems with turning off the RO unit when you don't need it. Won't hurt it at all.

This is correct, there are many types of stainless and many of them, if not most, do not like long term contact with RO water. The reason being is that water actually likes having "stuff", dissolved metals, minerals, ions, in it. If it has none it will want to pull it out of whatever it is in contact with. That is why RO drinking faucets are lined with plastic.

One of my friends just put in a system for this 2 months ago. He went with a 50 gallon plastic food grade tank he got on craigslist for $15. He put a hepa filter in the breather hole to keep bugs out of it. I am in the process of doing this too. I just moved and my new water is horrible!

 

[Buckeye_Hydro]

Don't forget guys that you now have a Home Brew Talk sponsor in the water treatment business. We're available to talk through your water treatment related issues. We fabricate RO systems from scratch, and can customize them easily.

Russ
513-312-2343

 

[augiedoggy]

Nevermind ancient thread

 

[sandyeggoxj]

Its only 4 years old...