Reef nutrition

How did you set-up RODI automation?

jaysway

Supporting Member
Hoping someone on here might be an expert on setting up an automated RODI system. I've tried watching a few youtube videos and struggle to wrap my simple mind around it. I have an aquatec booster pump that came with a high/low solenoid but no idea how to set any of it up. I'm guessing I'll need a float valve but I'm in over my head, if anyone can share their set-up or offer advice that would be greatly appreciated!
 
One simple way to do it is have a float valve in your ATO container. Connect your RODI to that float valve and have it run for some fixed amount of time periodically (you can do this with some sort of smart power plug—they sell them for cheap on Amazon). My ATO container lasts 2 weeks so I could run the RODI unit once a week and the ATO would never run out of water.
 
I tried that and the waste water kept flowing, there is a way to hook up a shut off but I guess I need to read the booster pump instructions, I could also do it manually without much of an issue but automation is fun. Edit, this is the missing part I was looking for: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/1-4-auto-shut-off-valve.html ... Still curious if anyone has auto flushing and any other recommendations.
 
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I tried that and the waste water kept flowing, there is a way to hook up a shut off but I guess I need to read the booster pump instructions, I could also do it manually without much of an issue but automation is fun.
You need a cut off valve like the one.in this image
Screenshot_20250923_225458_Chrome.jpg


In conjunction with the float valve he mentioned in the rodi water resivor. The the float valve floats up to the off postion, the back pressure of the water no longer flowing will automatically shut off water to the rodi unit. There should videos on how to precisely set that up. If your still lost maybe someone here can do a diagram or a quick video chat with you for a step.by step.

Just to be clear I'm not the guy to tell you how to hook it up lol. I had help with getting mine set up. I had the same issue of the waste water never turning off. There is a specific way that it's hook up that will make it automatically cut water to the whole unit as mentioned before.

When the float valve lowers and water flows again it will automatically allow water to enter the unit again. It's one of the parts of the rodi unit that once it's hooked up m you can just forget about it for the most part. You would than only need to change tbe filters/ resigns when required.

Screenshot_20250923_230516_Chrome.jpg

This one for $21 has both of them in One package.
 
I tried that and the waste water kept flowing, there is a way to hook up a shut off but I guess I need to read the booster pump instructions, I could also do it manually without much of an issue but automation is fun. Edit, this is the missing part I was looking for: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/1-4-auto-shut-off-valve.html ... Still curious if anyone has auto flushing and any other recommendations.
I use the AquaticLife Smart Buddie RO system. It is worth every penny. The unit works as a pressure booster, automatically flushes the line when it is powered, on and will also prevent any draw of water when powered off.

Eays to purchase on Amazon:

 
I may end up selling my aquatec booster and switching to that aquatic life version, ive figured out how to automate it but short cycling without flushing would still be a problem. It's too bad avast marine no longer sells the barrel tender, im a big fan of their ato products.
 
I am running the AquaticLife Smart Buddie with a timer that runs my system daily. It has an auto-flush feature. It is not a long enough flush sequence for my liking but it does help the membrane and DI chamber from getting slammed with high TDS during startup. It also auto-flushes every 60 minutes when it detects flow to keep the system fresh.

You can setup a system with the products you already have, but it will require more equipment, a lot more setup, but more control IF needed. I wanted easy, quick to setup, and functional for my needs. That is why I went with the Smart Buddie.
 
I am running the AquaticLife Smart Buddie with a timer that runs my system daily. It has an auto-flush feature. It is not a long enough flush sequence for my liking but it does help the membrane and DI chamber from getting slammed with high TDS during startup. It also auto-flushes every 60 minutes when it detects flow to keep the system fresh.

You can setup a system with the products you already have, but it will require more equipment, a lot more setup, but more control IF needed. I wanted easy, quick to setup, and functional for my needs. That is why I went with the Smart Buddie.
just to confirm, you have the aquaticlife on a timer and the standard float valve/shut off valve combo.. is there anything else I would need? This seems like the most simple solution.. Dan from Avast Marine is recommending this in lieu of the barrel tender he use to sell: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083XPGVS2?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2&th=1
 
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