i have a ro unit i dont use--- my idea is to make a filter this is a first time filter project so i need some help or a link i posted pics in my gallery equipment question it has 1/2" threaded holes should this be tapped to 3/4" 1 want about 1000gph also the unit on top what is it ? and is it usable ? not sure how this thing creates ro water i was planning on foam and bio media should i consider air injection or is this too much also i dont know the proper location for a pump or type it needs to be fairly quiet i live in a concrete cage and have no basment to run it remotely thanks in advance FNH.........
how do i turn an ro into a filter
- Thread starter fishnutham
- Start date
THis is an odd question. You can not use an ro unit in the manner that you are asking about. The "top" piece you ask about is the ro membrane. You can not get 1000 gph out of the average unit. They are not designed to move large amounts of water or to be used for heavy dirt trapping.
Lets review. The typical ro unit has 2 or 3 or more modules. THe first is the sediment trap, looks like a tighty wound spool of string. It's purpose is to trap tiny debris. After your water flows thru it, the water goes to the activated carbon block, it's purpose is to perform chemical filtration,mostly to remove chlorine from your tap water. Most units go to the ro membrane next. It will have one water inlet from your carbon block and two water outlets. One outlet is the "clean" water that the membrane processed, the other is the "waste" water, the stuff the membrane rejected that goes down the drain. From here the "clean" water either gose to what ever it was intended for (normally a storage vat) or the processed water goes thru additional treatment like D.I. or membranes for silicate or phosfate removal. Well maitained ro units are good at what they are intended for, trying to modify one for an aquarium filtration unit would not be very benificial. the sediment trap would clog very fast, the carbon block would not last very long. If you continued to use the ro membrane, it would most likley kill your fish because it can remove all elements from your water. If your not going to use it for what it is intended for, your best bet would be to sell it (they are not cheap) and use the money to buy or build a system more suited for aquarium use.
Joel
Lets review. The typical ro unit has 2 or 3 or more modules. THe first is the sediment trap, looks like a tighty wound spool of string. It's purpose is to trap tiny debris. After your water flows thru it, the water goes to the activated carbon block, it's purpose is to perform chemical filtration,mostly to remove chlorine from your tap water. Most units go to the ro membrane next. It will have one water inlet from your carbon block and two water outlets. One outlet is the "clean" water that the membrane processed, the other is the "waste" water, the stuff the membrane rejected that goes down the drain. From here the "clean" water either gose to what ever it was intended for (normally a storage vat) or the processed water goes thru additional treatment like D.I. or membranes for silicate or phosfate removal. Well maitained ro units are good at what they are intended for, trying to modify one for an aquarium filtration unit would not be very benificial. the sediment trap would clog very fast, the carbon block would not last very long. If you continued to use the ro membrane, it would most likley kill your fish because it can remove all elements from your water. If your not going to use it for what it is intended for, your best bet would be to sell it (they are not cheap) and use the money to buy or build a system more suited for aquarium use.
Joel
I agree with that ,the thing is i hadnt planned on using the media just the containers and pipes and the housings- the ro membrane i was just curious about never sat down and looked at one the plan was to over size the piping modify the exsisting pickups and run the flow thru sponge or pot scrubber at a high rate to pick up settled waste on the tank floor with a spray bar style pickup its more of a project of interest ,moneys not an object but filling a need is i already have way too much spent on filters for my oscar tank running 1200 gph more or less . Thanks for your honesty i should have provided more details -i'm still searching the net for a flow through style plan nobody likes to kiss and tell .
FNH....
FNH....
Rainbow / lifegaurd makes a set up much like what your thinking about doing with your ro unit housing but larger and it is designed to move large volumes of water. They are designed so you can plumb as many on a row as you want. THey also have a heater module and a U.V. module that is set up the same way.
Another idea that I use on some of my larger service accounts is large cartridege filters for swimming pools. THe brand I use is Hayward. THey move tons of water and are great dirt traps but you must keep them clean, they will slow down your water flow rate a ton when dirty. I plumb mine with a bypass so I can service the cartridge with out turning off the filteration system. Bleach or a weak muratic solution cleans up these cartridges real well.
Joel
Another idea that I use on some of my larger service accounts is large cartridege filters for swimming pools. THe brand I use is Hayward. THey move tons of water and are great dirt traps but you must keep them clean, they will slow down your water flow rate a ton when dirty. I plumb mine with a bypass so I can service the cartridge with out turning off the filteration system. Bleach or a weak muratic solution cleans up these cartridges real well.
Joel
guppy said:
aww i wanna play with my tools
thanks for the info ornatapinnis i think i'll try the products you mentioned soumds like what i'm trying to achieve . FNH.....