RO Bulk Reef filter, First Impression

[Tmoriarty]

Alright so I decided to test the water from my new bulk reef RO filter. It reads 0 Nitrates, my tap water was reading around 15 (and because I top off a gallon a day, keeps my tank nitrates at 15). Everything is looking good with the new unit, only problem is that it came with a 1/4 inch saddle point rather then a 3/8th's which is what it was suppose to come with. I went to lowes and bought a brass saddle point to replace it (its on the waste drain so not concerned with metal in my water).

The other thing but its just for now I think.... The water from the faucet comes out with a ton of air, not a big deal I just give it some time to dissipate before it goes in the tank.

Other then that it seems even without the DI phase, which i will add later, The water im now adding into the tank is much improved. I will let you guys know what there response time is like when I call monday to get a proper saddle valve for my drain.

For anyone curious I bought the 75gpd RO drinking/reef kit from Bulkreef supply. There was another thread I had last week regarding me needing to get a unit, just thought I would post results.

[The Punisher]

It's a good unit for sure. The DI would really put you over the top though, I'd go ahead and get that whenever you can. What's your TDS reading after the RO part?

[Tmoriarty]

Dont have a TDS meter, but I measured out my nitrates and they are 0. The 75gpd unit takes out over 98% of TDS vs the 100gpd one which only does 90%.

I will add the DI phase eventually but I think the RO filter is plenty for good water for now at least :P. I do wish they would have sent all the right parts, I already had the hole drilled by the time I realized the saddle valve was the wrong size.

[ed102475]

I don't understand , If your tank has 15ppm nitrates , Then you add more nitrates from your tap ( this is not good for drinking or your tank IMO ) then nitrates would rise with top off ? Am I right ? If I am then retest your tank . I know you bought a R/O unit , Do you have city water?

[Tmoriarty]

What do you not understand? I did not previously have an RO unit so I was using my tap water, I have since bought an RO unit. My tap water from the city read out at 15ppm nitrates, thats one of the reasons I wanted to buy a RO unit so that I can stop adding new nitrates with my tap water. And yes my tank waters nitrates are raised through the addition of tap water, but through microfiltration and my skimmer my nitrate levels stay level at around 15ppm.

Now that I am going to be topping off with 0 nitrate water my levels will start dropping down to 0 which will be much better for the reef life in my tank, With fish, 15ppm nitrates doesnt hurt them at all, its only really detrimental at these levels to corals. And even 15ppm isn't dampening my corals, they are growing fine so far, I just wanted to get the levels more appropriate for my reef.

[ed102475]

I just have never seen tap have nitrates before , Is that legal even ? I understand everything you are saying just blows my mind that city water has 15ppm nitrates .
15ppm nitrates after adding nitrates to you system directly from top off , I would say you are doing some heavy filtration to keep it that low.