Before You Begin
What's in the box & what you'll need
Everything you need for installation is included. The only tools you'll need from home are a wrench and a pair of scissors.
Included in your box
Hydra™ RO System
Standard purified water faucet
Water inlet tee connector
PE tubing (2 rolls)
Mounting hardware & brackets
Teflon tape & seal converters
CBPA filter
ROCB reverse osmosis membrane
Important: Connect to your cold water supply only — the cold water pipe under your kitchen sink. Do not connect to hot water. Turn off the water supply valve before starting.
01
Step One ·
Install the water inlet tee
⏱ This is the only step that touches your existing plumbing.
- Turn off your cold water supply valve under the sink. Open the faucet briefly to release pressure in the line.
- Locate the braided supply hose connecting your cold water valve to your existing kitchen faucet. Disconnect it from the valve end.
- Check your inlet tee kit. You'll find two converter sizes included — pick the one that fits snugly on your valve threads. Check that the rubber seal ring is sitting flat inside before threading.
- Thread the inlet tee onto your cold water valve. Hand-tighten first, then snug it with a wrench — firm, not over-torqued.
- Reconnect your original faucet hose to the top port of the tee. The bottom port is now your Hydra™ water inlet connection point.
💡 Leak prevention tip: Wrap 2–3 clockwise passes of the included Teflon tape around any threaded connection before tightening. This is the single biggest cause of minor leaks — the tape prevents them.
02
Step Two ·
Connect the tubes & place the unit
⏱ Follow the labels on the back of the unit.
- Position the Hydra™ unit upright inside your cabinet, close to the back wall. The unit can stand freely or be wall-mounted using the included bracket.
- Cut your PE tubing to the length you need — cut both rolls roughly in half as a starting point. The smaller diameter tube (2-point) connects to the faucet; the larger (3-point) handles inlet and drain.
- Connect the water inlet tube (left-most port on the back of the unit) to the open port on the inlet tee you installed in Step 1. Push the tube firmly into the quick-connect fitting until it clicks.
- Connect the wastewater drain tube (second port from left) to your sink's drain pipe. If there's no open port, drill a 7mm hole and use the included wastewater saddle clamp to create a secure, leak-free connection.
- Install your faucet through the existing hole in your sink or countertop. Route the faucet tube through and connect it to the pure water outlet port on the unit.
Double-check every tube connection by giving it a gentle tug. A properly seated quick-connect fitting will not pull out. If a tube comes loose, re-insert and push until you feel it click into place.
03
Step Three · 30 min rinse
First rinse & activation
⏱ Set it and walk away — the machine does this automatically.
- Turn your cold water supply back on. Check all connections visually for any drips before plugging in the unit.
- Plug in the power cord.The LCD display on top of the unit will light up.
- Press the Rinse buttonto begin the first flush cycle. The system will run for 30 minutes automatically. You don't need to stay nearby.
- Don't be alarmed if you see dark or gray-tinted water during this cycle — this is completely normal. It's activated carbon powder flushing out of the filters. It's harmless and clears within minutes.
- After 30 minutes, turn on your new faucet to draw pure RO water. Check the TDS display on the unit — a lower number confirms your system is producing clean water.
🎉 You're done. Your Hydra™ is now producing ultra-pure water. Monitor the TDS display on the unit to track your water quality — a lower number means purer water.
Ongoing Maintenance
Filter replacement schedule
Replacing filters on schedule is the only maintenance your Hydra™ requires. We'll send you a reminder email when it's time — you don't need to track it yourself.
CBPA Composite Filter
12 months
Removes sediment, chlorine, and organic compounds. Replacement takes under 2 minutes — twist counterclockwise, pull out, push new filter in.
ROCB Reverse Osmosis Membrane
12 months
The core filtration stage. Lifespan depends on local water quality. Your TDS reading will indicate when performance is declining.
How to tell when filters need replacing: Your TDS outlet reading starts rising, water flow noticeably slows, or it's been over 12 months since the last replacement. Any of these is your signal.
Common Questions
Installation FAQ
The water coming out is dark or cloudy during the first rinse. Is something wrong?
No — this is completely normal. You're seeing activated carbon powder flushing out of the filters. It's harmless and will clear within the first few minutes of the 30-minute rinse cycle. Do not drink this water until the rinse is complete.
I notice a slight drip at one of my connections. What do I do?
Turn off your water supply and hand-tighten the connection. If it still drips, disconnect, wrap 2–3 passes of Teflon tape clockwise around the threads, and reconnect. This resolves the vast majority of minor leaks.
My water flow seems slow. Is that normal?
Some reduction in flow rate is normal for RO systems — they produce pure water gradually. Flow rate is also affected by water pressure and temperature. If flow is significantly reduced after extended use, it's typically a sign the CBPA filter is due for replacement.
How do I know the system is producing pure water?
Check the TDS display on top of the unit — it shows your real-time water quality reading. A lower number means purer water. After the 30-minute first rinse, your readings should drop significantly from your tap water baseline.
Still have questions?
Our team is here to help — we respond within 24 hours, every time.
Contact Support