[Blueeyesredpanda]

I would like to add a soft water system / spot free rinse system to the garage.

CR spotless is desgined for car wash, but it's pricey here in Canada.
I found out another company (Aquatic Life) also makes DI, way cheaper too, only downside is that it doesn't have the TDS indication.


Expensive DI - CR Spotless
https://crspotless.com/product/dic-2...olling-system/


Cheap DI - Aquatic Life

Option A
Aquatic Life Dual Stage Deionization Canister System

https://www.aquaticlife.com/aquatic-...artridges.html

Option B
Aquatic Life BLUE 2-STAGE WHOLE HOUSE WATER FILTRATION SYSTEMS

Looks the same as CR, but is it a DI?
https://www.aquaticlife.com/home-wat...n-systems.html



So my questions are:
1. Do these DI work about the same as CR?

2. Is it possible to add a TDS indicator to these cheaper DI?

3. Is Option B a DI?

[originalgoods13]

Hey there,

You can DIY for way cheaper than both systems. Let me dig it up for you. I found it one day while browsing.

[Blueeyesredpanda]

Originally Posted by originalgoods13

Hey there,

You can DIY for way cheaper than both systems. Let me dig it up for you. I found it one day while browsing.

Let me know!

[originalgoods13]

Here is my parts list for my DI Filter setup. After re-looking at all of the parts, it was more then $100, but still much cheaper then the CS Spotless systems! Also, here is the nozzle the CS Spotless includes with the system:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They say you need to use it on the fan setting to keep the GPM low enough for the system to continuously put out DI water. One thing I learned is that the reason you want to have more, or bigger filters with DI resin, isn't so you don't have to change the resin as often. It is because the water needs a certain amount of contact time to become 0 TDS. The more and/or larger filters you have, the more contact time your water will have with the DI Resin, which means you will be able to produce a higher GPM flow, the more resin your system has. I use this setup with a 1.3 GPM Karcher electric Pressure washer, and have had no issues continuously producing 0 TDS water. Those who need a higher GPM rate, can use the 20" Housings, but they may become hard to deal with (heavy). If you wanted to put a sediment filter ahead of this system, it may help extend the life of your DI Resin, because cleaner water won't exhaust the resin as quickly. It isn't necessary though.


2x Pentek 150469 3/4" #10 Big Blue Filter Housing
$31.26 ea
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

2x Filter Housing Bracket for Big Blue Housings
$12.62 ea
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

HM Digital DM-1 In-Line Dual TDS Monitor
$31.74
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

2x 10" x 4.5" Refillable Water Filter Cartridge
$8.14 ea
https://www.freshwatersystems.com/p-...cartridge.aspx

Resintech MBD-30 Nuclear Grade Mixed Bed DI Resin, 5LB
$48.90
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

*Note This type of resin can also be used for DI car washes, but what CS Spotless uses is MAG MB Resin. Also, 5lbs was enough to completely fill 1 filter cartridge, and 90% of the other. I have used my system filled like this several times, and it produces 0 TDS water no problem.
https://www.resintech.com/products/i...ixed-bed/magmb

Fittings

*Note: For the fittings to connect the 2 filter housings, I used the ¾ NPT to ¾ PVC adapters, and connected them with ¾ PVC pipe & PVC Glue. This way, I could thread the fittings into the housings all the way, then connect the housings and adjust them so they lined up

*Note: For the inlet and outlet piping/fittings, I used the ¾ NPT to ¾ PVC Adapters to thread into the filter housings, then connected them to the 3/4 in. x 3/4 in. x 1/2 in Tees with ¾ PVC Pipe. I then used ¾ PCV Pipe to connect the ¾ PVC to ¾ NPT Female PVC Fittings, which the Brass hose adapters connect to. For the TDS Probes, I use a ½ NPT Male to 1/8 NPT Female Hex bushing, to screw into the PVC Tee, and connect the ¼ John Guest to 1/8 NPT Male fitting into that, for the TDS Probe. I used Teflon tape on all threaded connections.

Dixon BA776 Brass Fitting, Adapter, 3/4" GHT Male x 3/4" NPTF Male
$4.28
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Dixon 504-1212 Brass Fitting, Adapter, GHT Female Swivel x 3/4" NPTF Male
$8.79
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

2x John Guest Male Connector NPTF Polypro - 1/4 x 1/8 NPTF
$0.96 ea
https://www.freshwatersystems.com/p-...x-18-nptf.aspx

2x 3/4 in. Schedule 40 PVC Female Adapter
$.50 ea
DURA 3/4 in. Schedule 40 PVC Female Adapter-C435-007 - The Home Depot

3/4 in. x 10 ft. PVC Schedule 40 Plain-End Pipe
$2.86
JM eagle 3/4 in. x 10 ft. PVC Schedule 40 Plain-End Pipe-57471 - The Home Depot

4x 3/4 in. Schedule 40 PVC Male Adapter
$0.37 ea
DURA 3/4 in. Schedule 40 PVC Male Adapter-C436-007 - The Home Depot

2x 3/4 in. x 3/4 in. x 1/2 in. Schedule 40 PVC Reducing Tee
$0.98 ea
DURA 3/4 in. x 3/4 in. x 1/2 in. Schedule 40 PVC Reducing Tee-C402-101 - The Home Depot

2x 1/2 in. x 1/8 in. Lead-Free Brass MIP x FIP Hex Bushing
$4.18 ea
Sioux Chief 1/2 in. x 1/8 in. Lead-Free Brass MIP x FIP Hex Bushing-930-15200201 - The Home Depot