AquaticLife 540371 Technical Document

STAGE 1 –
SEDIMENT FILTER
Recommended change 6 months
The first stage of your RO/DI unit is a five micron Sediment
Filter that traps sediment and other particulate matter like
dirt, silt and rust which will affect the taste
and appearance of your water.
STAGE 2 –
CARBON BLOCK FILTER
Recommended change 6 months
The second stage of your RO/DI unit is a Carbon Block
Filter. The activated carbon in the filter reduces chlorine
and conditions the water prior to the RO Membrane.
STAGE 3 –
RO MEMBRANE
Recommended change 2 Years
The RO Membrane reduces impurities known as Total
Dissolved Solids (TDS) from the water down to 1/10,000
of a micron, reducing arsenic, lead, parasitic cysts, copper
and more. Because the process of filtering the high quality
water takes time, it is common to use a storage tank to
collect filtered water, making it available on demand.
STAGE 4 –
COLOR CHANGING RESIN (DEIONIZATION)
Replace filter when resin changes color
After the water is filtered by the membrane, there is usually
a small amount of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) left in the
water. In certain non-drinking water applications, it is
important to remove the remaining TDS from the water.
This is accomplished by filtering the water through a resin
that is charged with Cation and Anion resins (H+ and OH-).
As the resin absorbs the TDS, it will change color. When all
resin has changed color, it is time to replace the DI filter.
OVERVIEW
Reverse Osmosis is the process of removing contaminants
from tap water using a special semi-permeable membrane.
By applying water pressure across the membrane,
contaminants are concentrated on one side of the
membrane and filtered water on the other side of the
membrane. This is why Reverse Osmosis units have a
waste water line as well as a filtered line.
In addition to the membrane, water is filtered prior to the
membrane with a sediment cartridge to remove larger
particulates, and a carbon block to remove chlorine and
other materials.
After water is filtered by the membrane, it passes through
a color-changing resin cartridge where additional Total
Dissolved Solids (TDS) are removed from the water.
The cartridges and membrane on your unit are designed
for easy installation and replacement. Each cartridge
connects to the filter housing by simply inserting and
twisting. It is important the cartridges be installed in
the correct order to effectively filter the water.
Thank you for purchasing an Aquatic Life Twist-In (TI) Reverse Osmosis & Deionization Water Unit.
When maintained properly, this unit will provide you with years of high quality filtered water.
www.aquaticlife.com
Model: 540371
Twist-In 100 GPD 4-Stage RO/DI Unit
Installation, Operation & Maintenance Guide
WARNING: Please read carefully before proceeding with
installation. Your failure to follow any attached instructions and
operating parameters may lead to the product’s failure.
NOTE: Filter Cartridges and Membrane life may vary
based on local water conditions and amount of use.
S
C
RO
DI

2
www.aquaticlife.com
Model: 540371
Twist-In 100 GPD 4-Stage RO/DI Unit
Installation, Operation & Maintenance Guide
OPERATING GUIDELINES
DO NOT use with water that is microbiologically unsafe or
of unknown quality without adequate disinfection before
or after the unit.
The maximum incoming water pressure for the
unit is 80 PSI.
If the pressure is more than 80 PSI, a pressure regulator
is required. If the water pressure is less than 40 PSI,
a booster pump is needed.
Water hardness should not exceed 10 grains per gallon
or 170 parts per million.
Operating above this may shorten the membrane life.
Reverse Osmosis filtered water should not be run
through a copper tube.
The pure RO water can leach copper from the pipe,
eventually leading to holes in the pipe.
DO NOT operate the unit unattended.
Tools & Materials Recommended for Installation
1 ¼” Adjustable Wrench ¼” Drill Bit (for metal and plastic)
7/16” Open End Wrench Masking Tape & Pencil
Phillips Screwdriver Flashlight
Electric Drill
Contents (Model #540371)
1TI Module (four heads on metal
bracket with screws) 1 ¼" Manual On/Off Valve
1 TI Sediment Filter Cartridge 1 Drain Saddle
1 TI Carbon Block Cartridge 1 Red Tubing, ¼" x 4 FT.
1TI RO 100 GPD
Membrane Cartridge 1 Blue Tubing, ¼" x 4 FT.
1TI Color-changing
Deionization Cartridge 1 Yellow Tubing, ¼" x 4 FT.
1Hose Bib Connection
(fits standard garden hose) 1Installation, Operation
and Maintenance Guide
1
Under Sink Water Line Adapter
(½" Female x ½" Male x ¼"
Press Fit)
2 Flush Cartridges

3
www.aquaticlife.com
Model: 540371
Twist-In 100 GPD 4-Stage RO/DI Unit
Installation, Operation & Maintenance Guide
DRAIN SADDLE INSTALLATION
All Reverse Osmosis units will produce waste water.
The waste water contains high concentrations of TDS, but
would be acceptable to use on plants. Depending on your
installation, you may want to save the waste water for
other uses.
Another option is to connect the Reverse Osmosis waste
line to the drain under a sink. We have included a Drain
Saddle that will fit standard size sink drain pipes.
Step 1 – Locate all pieces of the Drain Saddle
1 – Bracket with
¼" press fit opening
1 – Bracket – solid
2 – Screws & Nuts
1 – Foam gasket
Step 2 – Remove the center punch and peel tape backing
from the foam gasket. Apply the gasket to bracket.
Remove center punch
cont. next page
Remove
tape backing
Apply gasket
as shown
WATER SUPPLY INSTALLATION
This Aquatic Life TI Filter Unit includes two options
for easy connection to a water supply.
Option 1: Connect to a standard water faucet
(often found on the exterior of houses or utility sinks)
with the Hose Bib Connection.
Option 2: Connect to the water supply line.
The under-sink Water Line Adapter connects to the sink
water supply and provides a way to connect the ¼" tubing.
Hand tightening this adapter is usually sufficient. However,
if needed, use a 1 ¼" adjustable wrench.
Connect To
Cold Water
Supply Only
CAUTION: If installing with a garbage disposal
the saddle must be above the disposal.
If a second sink drain is available, install it above
the cross bar on the second sink drain. Installation
of the Drain Saddle below a disposal may cause
the drain to plug.

4
www.aquaticlife.com
NOTE: If your model includes
rubber plugs on any of the ports,
it is now OK to remove the plug
by simply pulling it out of the
press fitting.
Min.
2"
DRAIN SADDLE INSTALLATION (cont.)
Step 3 – The Drain Saddle must be mounted at least 2”
above the nut of the P-trap or cross bar from the garbage
disposal to insure proper drainage. Locate where the Drain
Saddle will be mounted and mark with a piece of masking
tape and pencil.
MOUNTING THE REVERSE OSMOSIS /
DEIONIZATION UNIT
The Aquatic Life TI RO/DI Unit is designed to be mounted
to a secure surface. This will allow for the cartridges to
easily be replaced as needed.
The TI Module includes a metal bracket with screw holes
for easy hanging.
Use screws designed for the type of surface that the
TI Module will hang on. Once the TI Module is hanging
on the screws, tighten the screws to secure the TI Module
to the surface.
Step 4 – Use a ¼" drill bit to make a hole in the drain pipe
where you marked it on the masking tape. Remove the
masking tape and clear any plastic burs/shavings from
around the new hole in the drain pipe.
Step 5 – Align the Drain Saddle with the drilled hole in the
drain pipe. Attach the solid Semicircle Bracket to the
Bracket with the ¼” hole and loosely tighten the nuts by
hand.
Step 6 – Using a flashlight, look into the hole in the Drain
Saddle to ensure it is lined-up with the hole in the pipe.
Once it is aligned, tighten the 2 screws and nuts using a
Phillips screwdriver and open end wrench if needed.
Model: 540371
Twist-In 100 GPD 4-Stage RO/DI Unit
Installation, Operation & Maintenance Guide

5
www.aquaticlife.com
Model: 540371
Twist-In 100 GPD 4-Stage RO/DI Unit
Installation, Operation & Maintenance Guide
1
3
4
5
2
✓
Correct
✗
Incorrect
HOW TO USE THE BUDDIE FIT™ PRESS FITTINGS
Making the connections with the ¼” tubing is easy with the
Buddie Fit™ press fittings included.
To properly connect the ¼" tubing to the press fittings, follow
these simple steps:
1. Remove the blue clip from the press fitting.
2. Make sure the end of the tubing is cut evenly and not at an angle.
3. Push the tubing into the fitting. You will hit the first stop.
The tubing is still not secured properly. Push the tubing a
second time and you will feel the tubing insert completely
into the press fitting.
4. Pull back on the tubing to ensure it is secure.
5. Insert the locking blue clip back onto the end of the press fitting.
NOTE: To remove a piece of tubing, remove the blue clip
and press down on the collet where the tubing enters the
fitting. While the collet is depressed, remove the tubing from
the fitting.
Collet
Tubing
Collet Flange
O-ring
Blue
Clip
Tubing
Push 2x
Tubing
Pull
Blue
Clip
NOTE: We recommend cutting the tubing with a
razor blade or something similar so the tubing is not
pinched. If the tubing is pinched, it will not seal properly.
All tubing connections will have a “double push” into the
connectors. You should feel a two-step insert to verify the
tubing is inserted completely into the connectors.