The basics of building a small RO

[barnbc76]

So I've been looking into RO's the past couple of years but I didn't have the money then, still dont really but I realise I could buy myself some time and thus maybe put in some extra overtime and such to make up for it.

I really could use some help in this process as I am a bit too dense to understand everything needed. Sure I've spent hrs looking through these posts but I never find quite what I'm looking for.

I'm looking for something that could potentially do 50 taps. Currently I will probably only do about 25-30. Something that gives me the opportunity to expand. I usually boil when I get about 40-60gal on my 2x3 which gets about 8gph.

So I've read alot about the aquatec 8800 here and many seem to think this is good, for about $100 that seems alright. But then I get lost on the membranes combo. What membranes work and will do what i need it to. I see a housing/membrane combo for $63 for a 400 Gpd but will that even work with this pump? Also I saw combo 150 for about $33. Also I see many have a second pump, something 1/2hp or bigger is this a requirement or just a bonus addon to achieve higher % concentrate? I am looking to do this more or less as cheap as possible. Going from 2% to 4% would be great, but if this system has the capability to do higher next year or whenever by adding things that would be nice.

Given some of these examples of membrane combos what might I be able to expect for the flow? And what are my greatest areas for oppirtunity?

Thanks guys for the help.

[Cjadamec]

There are two rather distinct versions of R0 set ups. The small hobby version run off of the aquatec style pumps. Then there is the Pro version that runs off of high pressure larger horsepower bigger pumps. Pro versions process a lot of sap but use a lot of power and cost a lot to do so.

The hobby style which you want is plenty for your size of operation. You basically need the RO bucket. The guy making the RO bucket puts together a nice kit and its really not too much more money than it would cost you to buy all the parts and assemble them.

For a basic set up you need the pump, 2-3 membraine housings (the residential 10" ones), membraines for your housings get the 400 gallon per day membraines, tubing to connect all the bits, at least one needle valve, and pressure gauges.

I've been debating the whole RO bit myself but have yet to pull the trigger. I really need a better pan first.

[barnbc76]

I have seen the ro buckets, they look nice but I still would like to see the costs for doing it myself and understand it better.

[Cjadamec]

I have seen the ro buckets, they look nice but I still would like to see the costs for doing it myself and understand it better.

Amazon has everything you need to build a hobby RO. I've priced out building on a number of times and it seems I always end up in the 4-500 dollar range by the time I'm all done. I could probably get it down to 300 if I cut capacity down but I've got twice as many taps as you do.

If you look at the RO bucket website there is basically a parts breakdown of the parts you need to get an RO going. There's not too many parts you need to put one together.

[eustis22]

I usd hodorskibs plans and am very happy with the $300 I spent for my 4 150 gpd membrane set up.

[barnbc76]

So how do I know how many membranes I can use with this aquatec 8800 pump. It does not say, it says it works for up to 300gpd but nothing about how many at a time.... As my original thread title says I'm trying to understand the basics of building an RO, while emulating what someone else is doing is fine, I would have too understand it to properly select the comoonents.

[hodorskib]

Here is a link to my new website that has the information you are looking for: https://sites.google.com/view/mattat...aplesyrup/home
Although I have no affiliation with the RO bucket I have only heard very good things so if you are looking for a system ready to go that would be a very good option. If you want to do it yourself you can currently put together a 4 membrane system with 150gpd membranes for around 300 with all the parts. This will allow you to handle 50 taps without an issue. As for how many membranes you can run on the Aquatech pump I have found that it limits out at 3 x 400gpd membranes or 6 150gpd membranes. Hope this helps.

[barnbc76]

Thanks for the info that's the most comprehensive straight forward explanation I've found yet, with all the parts too. What would be the difference between running 2-400gpd vs 4-150gpd?

[hodorskib]

In theory the 2 x 400s should perform better but I did not notice a difference in running 6 x 150gpd membranes and 3 x 400gpd membranes. The 400gpd membrane housings started to leak at pressure above 120psi.

[jbutton]

So the aquatech 8800 can handle 6×150 Gpd housings or 3x400 gpd housing ? What is the rate per hour