ro/di proper function - general q&a

[mantis32]

I just setup my RO/DI unit and I was wondering if the waste water coming from the membrain drain is good to be used for anything? Good for washing dishes?

Is the drain supposed to let out soo much water, when pour valve is on giving me my pure water? I feel like I'm wasting soo much water.

 

[Lotus]

There's usually about a 4:1 ratio of wastewater to RO water from a RO unit.

The water can be used for watering plants, washing clothes or dishes (some people have the wastewater go into their washing machine tub) and other such stuff. Some people use it for their freshwater tanks, but I'm not sure that's a great idea.

 

[mantis32]

Why not so sure about using it for a freshwater tank? Is it drinkable?

There's usually about a 4:1 ratio of wastewater to RO water from a RO unit.

The water can be used for watering plants, washing clothes or dishes (some people have the wastewater go into their washing machine tub) and other such stuff. Some people use it for their freshwater tanks, but I'm not sure that's a great idea.

 

[Lotus]

It basically contains all the "other" stuff from water -- phosphates, nitrates, calcium, heavy metals, etc. that you're trying to get rid of. If your water supply is high in these, it will be more concentrated in the wastewater.

 

[mantis32]

Wouldn't that waste water be better than the tap water and therefore 'ok' for fresh water fish? or better than tap water for drinking?

 

[1979camaro]

Lotus just answered that...

 

[Joe Fish]

Consider the waste water similiar to what comes out of your tap.

 

[1979camaro]

Except that, as Lotus pointed out, it has a higher concentration of the "bad" stuff.