Best deal on a RODI for my 75gal

Crush Coral · 12/09/2008, 11:05 PM

I know I saw this recently and should have printed it off. What is a good unit that will handle my needs for a 75 (40 gals of H2O/month)? I have country well water but want to get rid of the nitrates and phosphates that are feeding my hair algae and syno. Thanks

rkesling · 12/09/2008, 11:48 PM

Air Water Ice think there is one for sale in the sale forum

James77 · 12/10/2008, 12:12 AM

bulkreefsupply.com has good prices on theirs

46FiatYamaha · 12/10/2008, 04:48 AM

http://www.buckeyefieldsupply.com/sh...ry=168&Sub=166 comes with lots of extras for a good price

Crush Coral · 12/10/2008, 08:35 AM

Thanks, any others I should look at?

almees · 12/10/2008, 10:05 AM

melev reef also has a 5 stage unit.

http://www.melevsreef.com/ro_di.html

It has two out lets, one for bottled water and one for tank water. Quick to set up and easy to get started and melev is quick to help w/ any questions.

AZDesertRat · 12/11/2008, 07:40 AM

For $169 complete including a handheld TDS meter and inline pressure gauge, you will have a had time beating the 75 GPD Premium from Buckeye. I don't think anyone else can touch it with the same quality components and service.

stinkyft · 12/11/2008, 08:10 AM

there are some on ebay that are cheap or should you stay away from them?

AZDesertRat · 12/11/2008, 10:37 AM

Ebay units usually sacrifice things like quality components and filters, water quality, standard sized DI filters, pressure gauges, TDS meters etc. Add all the necesary pieces back in and you are usually more than the $169 you would have spent to begin with for a true reef quality system.

eskymick · 12/11/2008, 11:03 AM

I got mine from the The Filter Guys. Model: OCEAN REEF + 1 FIVE STAGE 75 GPD RO/DI. I love it.

http://www.thefilterguys.biz/ro_di_systems.htm

SaltyDr · 12/11/2008, 08:00 PM

1+ for the Filter Guys.

jmjohnson · 12/11/2008, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SaltyDr
1+ for the Filter Guys.

+2 The unit I received from them was amazing.

Poorcollegereef · 12/11/2008, 08:19 PM

I got mine from purely h2o for $149 They have cheaper models for less than $130 or some bare bones RO for less than 100. I have not heard of many people using them I am happy with my unit.
http://www.purelyh2o.com/

My dealings with them were great. I already had tds meter so I didnt need some extras.

Mikeeal · 12/11/2008, 09:27 PM

I've gotten three units from ebay that have performed wonderfully, and very cheap.

Everyones Hero · 12/12/2008, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by eskymick
I got mine from the The Filter Guys. Model: OCEAN REEF + 1 FIVE STAGE 75 GPD RO/DI. I love it.

http://www.thefilterguys.biz/ro_di_systems.htm

Same here. After my hose connector & TDS meter it came out to about $220-230 after shipping. They shipped it the day after I ordered. Everything came assembled. TDS went from 160 to 0.

One of the reasons I went with The Filter Guys is that I didn't like some of the things I had read about another vendor & I see them being around for a long time, making replacements/support more likely.

AZDesertRat · 12/12/2008, 07:59 AM

Why spend $220-$230 when for $169 plus shipping you get just as good if not a better unit ? www.buckeyefieldsupply.com 75 GPD Premium . It actually gives you more options, a better prefilter, a better TDS meter and things like a RO bypass valve you don't get with the others. They are also a long time RC Sponsor.

RDENNI15 · 12/12/2008, 11:13 AM

not to sound like a total NOOB but when using RO/DI units how fast does it produce clean water.
I have a reverse osmosis for drinking water in my house and it takes 6 hours to produce 1 gallon and uses 24 gallons in the process. How many gallons are wasted in the process with these units everyone buys for their aquariums?
I have just started gathering all the equipment for my system
(so far just my 75g acrylic tank and oak canopy) and was looking into an RO.DI system also.
Also do you have a separate container you use to store the water in? stupid question but had to ask it anyways......No question is stupid unless it isn't asked!!!

AZDesertRat · 12/12/2008, 11:54 AM

The typical reef quality RO/DI is rated at 75 GPD or 75 gallons of pure water per day at 50 psi water pressure and 77 degree water temperature. The last two things are important to remember, temperature and pressure have a major impact on RO production. The colder it is or the lower the pressure the slower it will make waterI would assume your present drinking water system is a 15 to maybe 25 GPD system which is pretty common. It wil be quite slow not only due to the smaller GPD RO membrane but it is also working against a pressure tank which slows production through the membrane too.
Most reef keepers store RO/DI water in a storage vessel like a Rubbermaid trash can so there is little restriction on the output which enables it to make water faster.

Typical waste ratio is 4:1 or 4 gallons of waste for every 1 gallon of RO or RO/DI produced. If you are wasting 24 gallons for one gallon of good you need to do some work on your present system to get it closer to the 4:1 recomended by manufacturers. Things you can do include a different flow restrictor matched to your specific conditions, this can be a capillary tube or an adjustable restrictor or both and/or a permeate pump which uses the waste stream to help drive water through the membrane.

Everyones Hero · 12/12/2008, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AZDesertRat
Why spend $220-$230 when for $169 plus shipping you get just as good if not a better unit ? www.buckeyefieldsupply.com 75 GPD Premium . It actually gives you more options, a better prefilter, a better TDS meter and things like a RO bypass valve you don't get with the others. They are also a long time RC Sponsor.

I wasn't sure how long BEFS had been around. The cost difference wasn't much, though. I had to add a hose connection & the $20 TDS meter, plus the shipping.

I know a few people say great things about BEFS (never anything negative), but I've heard more people say good things about TFG (never anything negative against them either), which is the overall reason I chose them.

stinkyft · 12/12/2008, 02:56 PM

I just purchased a aquarium and im trying to add corals as cheep as I can right now due to the cost of the tank. Could I get the cheap RO setup from the filter guys and add the DI later? And at what point should I get the DI. Right now all I have is $9 star polyps.

Nereaga · 12/12/2008, 03:29 PM

+3 on thefilterguys.biz

Can't beat their customer service, IMO

Everyones Hero · 12/13/2008, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by stinkyft
I just purchased a aquarium and im trying to add corals as cheep as I can right now due to the cost of the tank. Could I get the cheap RO setup from the filter guys and add the DI later? And at what point should I get the DI. Right now all I have is $9 star polyps.

That's actually what one of the guys from TFGs had recommended I do a few months ago. You can buy a RO unit from anywhere you want, though, & add the DI when you have the money for it.

The DI I have from TFGs is separate from the rest of the system. The output line from my RO unit leads directly to my DI, which has a final tube that my RO/DI water comes from. I could have bought an RO unit from The Filter Guys; Buckeye Field Supply; Air, Water, Ice; or any other company & the DI would have worked with it.

I would recommend that you get a TDS meter to keep an eye on things no matter where you buy your unit from.

Crush Coral · 12/15/2008, 11:06 AM

Great info reefers! At least now I know a little about what I am purchasing. Think I will order one today. Can't wait to starve off the hair algae and syno!!!!!!!!!

texhorns98 · 12/15/2008, 01:36 PM

What's the difference in BEFS Value Line and Premium Lines?

AZDesertRat · 12/15/2008, 01:44 PM

A lot!
With the Premium you get a better 1 micron prefilter vs a 5 micron prefilter with the Value. You get a 0.6 micron, 20,000 gallon carbon block vs a 5 micron, 6,000 gallon carbon. You get clear housings vs white or opaque. You also get an RO bypass valve, a flush valve, a TDS-3 handheld TDS meter and an inline pressure gauge. Add all those up and it far exceeds to $46 price difference.

12/09/2008, 11:05 PM	#1
Crush Coral Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Central Wisconsin Posts: 1,233	Best deal on a RODI for my 75gal I know I saw this recently and should have printed it off. What is a good unit that will handle my needs for a 75 (40 gals of H2O/month)? I have country well water but want to get rid of the nitrates and phosphates that are feeding my hair algae and syno. Thanks

12/10/2008, 12:12 AM	#3
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	bulkreefsupply.com has good prices on theirs __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

12/11/2008, 08:10 AM	#8
stinkyft Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: charlotte, nc Posts: 39	ro/di there are some on ebay that are cheap or should you stay away from them?

12/11/2008, 11:03 AM	#10
eskymick Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pulaski, WI Posts: 1,368	I got mine from the The Filter Guys. Model: OCEAN REEF + 1 FIVE STAGE 75 GPD RO/DI. I love it. http://www.thefilterguys.biz/ro_di_systems.htm __________________ SG - 1.025 pH - 8.1 NH4/NH3 - 0 mg/L NO2 - .003 mg/L NO3 - .2 mg/L Calc. - 420 dKH - 8.0 Flow ~ 80x Current Tank Info: 24" cube SPS Reef, 15 gal sump, 1- LumenBright Pendant with 250w 20K Phoenix lamp, 1 - Vortech MP40, ATB 840 v1.5 skimmer.

12/11/2008, 09:27 PM	#14
Mikeeal Same avatar since '05 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 1,285	I've gotten three units from ebay that have performed wonderfully, and very cheap. __________________ "The leanest burger in the world!!! can be the MEEEAANEST burger in the world..if you cook it that way......" Current Tank Info: 125g fowlr

12/09/2008, 11:48 PM	#2
rkesling Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 162	Air Water Ice think there is one for sale in the sale forum

12/10/2008, 04:48 AM	#4
46FiatYamaha Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Matthews NC Posts: 990	http://www.buckeyefieldsupply.com/sh...ry=168&Sub=166 comes with lots of extras for a good price

12/10/2008, 08:35 AM	#5
Crush Coral Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Central Wisconsin Posts: 1,233	Thanks, any others I should look at?

12/10/2008, 10:05 AM	#6
almees Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Palm Bay Posts: 228	melev reef also has a 5 stage unit. http://www.melevsreef.com/ro_di.html It has two out lets, one for bottled water and one for tank water. Quick to set up and easy to get started and melev is quick to help w/ any questions.

12/11/2008, 07:40 AM	#7
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	For $169 complete including a handheld TDS meter and inline pressure gauge, you will have a had time beating the 75 GPD Premium from Buckeye. I don't think anyone else can touch it with the same quality components and service.

12/11/2008, 10:37 AM	#9
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Ebay units usually sacrifice things like quality components and filters, water quality, standard sized DI filters, pressure gauges, TDS meters etc. Add all the necesary pieces back in and you are usually more than the $169 you would have spent to begin with for a true reef quality system.

12/11/2008, 08:00 PM	#11
SaltyDr Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southwest Florida Posts: 1,191	1+ for the Filter Guys.

12/11/2008, 08:19 PM	#13
Poorcollegereef Future Doc Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: DC Posts: 961	I got mine from purely h2o for $149 They have cheaper models for less than $130 or some bare bones RO for less than 100. I have not heard of many people using them I am happy with my unit. http://www.purelyh2o.com/ My dealings with them were great. I already had tds meter so I didnt need some extras.

12/12/2008, 07:59 AM	#16
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Why spend $220-$230 when for $169 plus shipping you get just as good if not a better unit ? www.buckeyefieldsupply.com 75 GPD Premium . It actually gives you more options, a better prefilter, a better TDS meter and things like a RO bypass valve you don't get with the others. They are also a long time RC Sponsor.

12/12/2008, 11:13 AM	#17
RDENNI15 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 34	not to sound like a total NOOB but when using RO/DI units how fast does it produce clean water. I have a reverse osmosis for drinking water in my house and it takes 6 hours to produce 1 gallon and uses 24 gallons in the process. How many gallons are wasted in the process with these units everyone buys for their aquariums? I have just started gathering all the equipment for my system (so far just my 75g acrylic tank and oak canopy) and was looking into an RO.DI system also. Also do you have a separate container you use to store the water in? stupid question but had to ask it anyways......No question is stupid unless it isn't asked!!!

12/12/2008, 11:54 AM	#18
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	The typical reef quality RO/DI is rated at 75 GPD or 75 gallons of pure water per day at 50 psi water pressure and 77 degree water temperature. The last two things are important to remember, temperature and pressure have a major impact on RO production. The colder it is or the lower the pressure the slower it will make waterI would assume your present drinking water system is a 15 to maybe 25 GPD system which is pretty common. It wil be quite slow not only due to the smaller GPD RO membrane but it is also working against a pressure tank which slows production through the membrane too. Most reef keepers store RO/DI water in a storage vessel like a Rubbermaid trash can so there is little restriction on the output which enables it to make water faster. Typical waste ratio is 4:1 or 4 gallons of waste for every 1 gallon of RO or RO/DI produced. If you are wasting 24 gallons for one gallon of good you need to do some work on your present system to get it closer to the 4:1 recomended by manufacturers. Things you can do include a different flow restrictor matched to your specific conditions, this can be a capillary tube or an adjustable restrictor or both and/or a permeate pump which uses the waste stream to help drive water through the membrane.

12/12/2008, 02:56 PM	#20
stinkyft Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: charlotte, nc Posts: 39	ro/di I just purchased a aquarium and im trying to add corals as cheep as I can right now due to the cost of the tank. Could I get the cheap RO setup from the filter guys and add the DI later? And at what point should I get the DI. Right now all I have is $9 star polyps.

12/12/2008, 03:29 PM	#21
Nereaga Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Oley, Pa 19547 Posts: 1,513	+3 on thefilterguys.biz Can't beat their customer service, IMO

12/15/2008, 11:06 AM	#23
Crush Coral Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Central Wisconsin Posts: 1,233	Great info reefers! At least now I know a little about what I am purchasing. Think I will order one today. Can't wait to starve off the hair algae and syno!!!!!!!!!

12/15/2008, 01:36 PM	#24
texhorns98 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 732	What's the difference in BEFS Value Line and Premium Lines?

12/15/2008, 01:44 PM	#25
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	A lot! With the Premium you get a better 1 micron prefilter vs a 5 micron prefilter with the Value. You get a 0.6 micron, 20,000 gallon carbon block vs a 5 micron, 6,000 gallon carbon. You get clear housings vs white or opaque. You also get an RO bypass valve, a flush valve, a TDS-3 handheld TDS meter and an inline pressure gauge. Add all those up and it far exceeds to $46 price difference.