RO/DI recommendations

[Guest vt rules]

I am setting up a new tank. It is a 55 gallon and I will start with FOWLR and maybe have some low maintenance corals once things get established. I have well water so I want to get an RO/DI unit. I am looking for something that is going to get the job done without breaking the bank. Also, I do not want to establish any permanent connection to my plumbing, I'd like to hook it right to my utility sink in the garage.

 

I've looked on EBay, for example: http://stores.ebay.com/Filter-Direct-store

 

Can anyone offer assistance to me and recommend something? It seems like EBay is the place to get these things but what do I really need to get the job done?

 

Thanks a lot!

 

Glenn

[Charlie97L]

i've heard good things about the ebay ones... i'd go for the clear canisters, as it's easier to tell when the filters need replacing, or if there's a problem with stuff getting gunked up and needing to be flushed.

[ErikS]

Some RO/DI points to ponder -

 

#1 - Some 98% of the RO membranes sold in the US are made by DOW. The 75gpd filmtec is the best @ 98% rejection. All the others are fine, just use DI resin a bit faster.

 

#2 - Look for a unit that has a standard 10" cartridge as the final DI stage, this makes getting refills much easier.

 

#3 - No need to 2 carbon or more than 4 stages, yes they will go farther between refills but not truly cost effective.

 

#4 - The stuff is pretty standard, price is the make or break as none are truly offer "better" performance.

 

Some other vendors to check:

 

BuckeyeFieldSupply

 

AirWaterIce

 

PurelyH20

 

Buckeye's value series is tough to beat, $118 for a 4 stage unit (all 10" cartridges).

[discordja]

someone needs to stick this topic

[ErikS]

someone needs to stick this topic

 

I did, I did.....just took me a while to get there :D

 

RO/DI recommendations

 

=

 

Buckeye's value series is tough to beat, $118 for a 4 stage unit (all 10" cartridges)

[stevil]

See this thread as well.

[dbartco]

Yeah ditto what the others said.

 

I just posted because I like your screen name....

[Guest vt rules]

Thanks for all the help!

I think I am going to go with a unit from these guys .........

 

www.purelyh2o.com

[Grav]

I got one of the "cheap" ebay filters. While I mostly agree with the comments made and that they filter the same way and as well, I would not do it again.

 

When I hooked up a float switch to my water tank, and the system was under pressure, the unit leaked. I had to take appart every fitting and re-wrap it with teflon tabe. It must have taken me hours of work and 2 weeks before the thing was water tight.

 

Just the other perspective... a little bit of "you get what you pay for."

[flowerseller]

I got an Aquasafe 6 stage RO/DI which 1 stage is a taste filter.

I use the taste filter on our fridge cold water/ice maker.

The unit had a leak or two but those were fixed easily and have not recured.

The exit water tests 001-002 from in water of 243.

I use about 70 gpw for water exchanges, top off and an occasional wet teeshirt contest.

[Caribbean Jake]

two options

 

1) call Johnny at BRK he has some RO/DI systems

 

2) go to http://airwaterice.com/ they got a reef system at a reasonable price.

 

Jacob

[gastone]

I agree with Phil, got a cheapo unit off of e-bay, spent a few hours trying to fix the leaks, including using teflon tape in ways it surely isn't intended for. Now it works fine. I was also missing one fitting, just stripped the fitting off an unnecessary piece. The unit works just fine. No gizmos or gadgets, and not very pretty to luck at, but it works.

 

G.