water ro/di filters

teffer738 · 08/05/2013, 01:10 PM

I've heard that these can pay for themselves in short time...just curious what the consensus is here in the "family"

thegrun · 08/05/2013, 01:13 PM

yes they save money and time

Mel 2038 · 08/05/2013, 01:22 PM

They will get water quality started off correctly, and help you to keep it that way. At least as far as impurities are concerned.

FsuNole · 08/05/2013, 01:22 PM

Leaving cost out of it (which it will pay for quickly). It is personally saving me from having to lug 70+ gallons into then out of my car to set up my tank, plus I won't need to go to the LFS every time I need water!

teffer738 · 08/05/2013, 01:53 PM

any brand suggestions or style favorites?

planedoc · 08/05/2013, 02:03 PM

Bulk reef supply is great for budget conscious person and buckeye field has some really nice higher end systems.
You at least want a system with one sediment, 2 carbon blocks filters an RO membrane and a a refillable DI filter. Its better to get a system that allows you to flush your ro membrane and a dual DI can save you a lot of money if you have poor quality tap water. The better filter and water change system that you build the more likely you will keep up on water changes.

thegrun · 08/05/2013, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FsuNole

Leaving cost out of it (which it will pay for quickly). It is personally saving me from having to lug 70+ gallons into then out of my car to set up my tank, plus I won't need to go to the LFS every time I need water!

Simply not stepping into a fish store will save you a fortune!

teffer738 · 08/05/2013, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegrun

Simply not stepping into a fish store will save you a fortune!

isn't that the truth, if i never found my local i probaly wouldn't even have started into this...

Lynxone · 08/05/2013, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teffer738

any brand suggestions or style favorites?

I've been real happy with my BRS 5 stage plus. Wasn't terribly expensive and it's worked flawlessly for the last couple of years. I replace the filters whenever my TDS readings start to rise. (About once a year)

Joek86 · 08/05/2013, 04:34 PM

I just got an RO without the DI. It's a Spectrapure with 2 sumps and a membrane. Am I sacrificing allot not going with a more sophisticated unit?

Spyderturbo007 · 08/06/2013, 06:39 AM

I think an RO/DI unit is a must, but that's just my opinion. I have the SpectraPure 90gpd unit and it works great.

It looks like they also have the same system as a refurb for $129. They also have a sponsor forum here, so you could probably ask about the difference with the refurbished system. I would assume that all the cartridge and the membrane are new, but you might want to ask to be sure.

3dees · 08/06/2013, 10:25 AM

is there anything wrong with the units on e-bay? I'm looking at a ro/di 4 stage 150 gpd for 110.00. this is for a fowlr. do I really need a 5 stage or better?

FsuNole · 08/06/2013, 10:28 AM

You can get a 4 stage from BRS for only $19 more... I just wouldn't trust e-bay on my ro/di. Plus if you need help they have tech support.

3dees · 08/06/2013, 01:45 PM

yeah, I just got my skimmer and powerheads from BRS. the thing is it's a 75 gpd vs 150. I have a 120 gal. tank and don't want to spend days making water, especially when filling the tank for the first time. I do agree about the support. my tap water is'nt too bad ( tds of 140 ) so I did'nt think I would need to go all out for a fowlr.

FsuNole · 08/06/2013, 01:58 PM

I'm doing a fowlr and my main reasoning behind getting the value plus system from BRS was to help keep my alge growth down and to really set my tank up for success. The first fill will be a royal pain but after that you really won't have a need for a 150 gpd assuming you are doing 10% water changes. That will save you what, maybe a couple of hours if you don't have the water buckets already filled? Just my opinion though.

BIGD0G · 08/06/2013, 02:19 PM

BRS or Air Water and Ice.com are good places for replacement filters.

benjaminoliver · 08/06/2013, 04:33 PM

If you haven't decided already, I vote it as necessity to maintain a reef. It will save you so many headaches from unwanted algae, poor water conditions, and money trying to fix those problems with chemicals. Took me over a year and half to get one and it would have saved me quite a bit of time and money if I had one from the start.

For brand, I am not sure on your money concerns, but I went with the cheapest 6 stage I could find on eBay, and it works just fine getting 0ppm readings. Although, I have to say I wouldn't mind one that has all the bells and whistles.

3dees · 08/06/2013, 05:29 PM

I have been told that I could get away with my tap water being low in tds but I do not want any algae problems so I'm getting ro/di for sure. I'm retired on a fixed income so I'm trying to keep costs down. I see some units going for hundreds of dollars and wonder what the huge cost is for.

carevin · 08/06/2013, 06:10 PM

I was looking into this today, and called our town office to ask about water. I was watching the video on BRS and they indicated that you need a special system for chloramines. The town said our water was about 8% chlorine which sounds extremely wrong. Also they didn't know what chloramines were. So I'm wondering what to do next. Go with a BRS 5 stage or chloramines system just incase we end up moving and a town uses it. Is there a downside to just going with the chloramine system or can you just put that cartridge in the normal 5 stage?

teffer738 · 08/06/2013, 06:35 PM

wow I'm kinda glad I asked this question lots of info here , myself I've decided (after comparing costs) that im gonna buy the filter, locally i was looking about a dollar a g for water so seeing as that would be 90 there alone and then another 45 for my sump/ref the extra 50 seems pointless to ignore the ability to do on demand water and not cart it 30 mins from the other side of town

Coral Head · 08/06/2013, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teffer738

wow I'm kinda glad I asked this question lots of info here , myself I've decided (after comparing costs) that im gonna buy the filter, locally i was looking about a dollar a g for water so seeing as that would be 90 there alone and then another 45 for my sump/ref the extra 50 seems pointless to ignore the ability to do on demand water and not cart it 30 mins from the other side of town

Smart decision. I purchased my RO/DI system from Air Water Ice for about $139.00. Money well spent!!

Spyderturbo007 · 08/07/2013, 05:49 AM

You do not need a special system for Chloramines. Give this paper by Randy Holmes-Farley a read and you'll see why.

08/05/2013, 01:10 PM	#1
teffer738 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 13	water ro/di filters I've heard that these can pay for themselves in short time...just curious what the consensus is here in the "family"

08/05/2013, 01:13 PM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	yes they save money and time

08/05/2013, 01:22 PM	#3
Mel 2038 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Bolingbrook,IL Posts: 172	They will get water quality started off correctly, and help you to keep it that way. At least as far as impurities are concerned.

08/05/2013, 01:22 PM	#4
FsuNole Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Houston Posts: 196	Leaving cost out of it (which it will pay for quickly). It is personally saving me from having to lug 70+ gallons into then out of my car to set up my tank, plus I won't need to go to the LFS every time I need water!

08/05/2013, 01:53 PM	#5
teffer738 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 13	any brand suggestions or style favorites?

08/05/2013, 02:03 PM	#6
planedoc Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 535	Bulk reef supply is great for budget conscious person and buckeye field has some really nice higher end systems. You at least want a system with one sediment, 2 carbon blocks filters an RO membrane and a a refillable DI filter. Its better to get a system that allows you to flush your ro membrane and a dual DI can save you a lot of money if you have poor quality tap water. The better filter and water change system that you build the more likely you will keep up on water changes.

08/05/2013, 04:34 PM	#10
Joek86 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Webster NY Posts: 88	I just got an RO without the DI. It's a Spectrapure with 2 sumps and a membrane. Am I sacrificing allot not going with a more sophisticated unit?

08/06/2013, 06:39 AM	#11
Spyderturbo007 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: PA Posts: 2,564	I think an RO/DI unit is a must, but that's just my opinion. I have the SpectraPure 90gpd unit and it works great. It looks like they also have the same system as a refurb for $129. They also have a sponsor forum here, so you could probably ask about the difference with the refurbished system. I would assume that all the cartridge and the membrane are new, but you might want to ask to be sure.

08/06/2013, 10:25 AM	#12
3dees Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago burbs Posts: 793	is there anything wrong with the units on e-bay? I'm looking at a ro/di 4 stage 150 gpd for 110.00. this is for a fowlr. do I really need a 5 stage or better?

08/06/2013, 10:28 AM	#13
FsuNole Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Houston Posts: 196	You can get a 4 stage from BRS for only $19 more... I just wouldn't trust e-bay on my ro/di. Plus if you need help they have tech support.

08/06/2013, 01:45 PM	#14
3dees Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago burbs Posts: 793	yeah, I just got my skimmer and powerheads from BRS. the thing is it's a 75 gpd vs 150. I have a 120 gal. tank and don't want to spend days making water, especially when filling the tank for the first time. I do agree about the support. my tap water is'nt too bad ( tds of 140 ) so I did'nt think I would need to go all out for a fowlr.

08/06/2013, 01:58 PM	#15
FsuNole Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Houston Posts: 196	I'm doing a fowlr and my main reasoning behind getting the value plus system from BRS was to help keep my alge growth down and to really set my tank up for success. The first fill will be a royal pain but after that you really won't have a need for a 150 gpd assuming you are doing 10% water changes. That will save you what, maybe a couple of hours if you don't have the water buckets already filled? Just my opinion though.

08/06/2013, 02:19 PM	#16
BIGD0G Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Shalimar, FL Posts: 307	BRS or Air Water and Ice.com are good places for replacement filters.

08/06/2013, 04:33 PM	#17
benjaminoliver Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 37	If you haven't decided already, I vote it as necessity to maintain a reef. It will save you so many headaches from unwanted algae, poor water conditions, and money trying to fix those problems with chemicals. Took me over a year and half to get one and it would have saved me quite a bit of time and money if I had one from the start. For brand, I am not sure on your money concerns, but I went with the cheapest 6 stage I could find on eBay, and it works just fine getting 0ppm readings. Although, I have to say I wouldn't mind one that has all the bells and whistles.

08/06/2013, 05:29 PM	#18
3dees Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago burbs Posts: 793	I have been told that I could get away with my tap water being low in tds but I do not want any algae problems so I'm getting ro/di for sure. I'm retired on a fixed income so I'm trying to keep costs down. I see some units going for hundreds of dollars and wonder what the huge cost is for.

08/06/2013, 06:10 PM	#19
carevin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 23	I was looking into this today, and called our town office to ask about water. I was watching the video on BRS and they indicated that you need a special system for chloramines. The town said our water was about 8% chlorine which sounds extremely wrong. Also they didn't know what chloramines were. So I'm wondering what to do next. Go with a BRS 5 stage or chloramines system just incase we end up moving and a town uses it. Is there a downside to just going with the chloramine system or can you just put that cartridge in the normal 5 stage?

08/06/2013, 06:35 PM	#20
teffer738 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 13	wow I'm kinda glad I asked this question lots of info here , myself I've decided (after comparing costs) that im gonna buy the filter, locally i was looking about a dollar a g for water so seeing as that would be 90 there alone and then another 45 for my sump/ref the extra 50 seems pointless to ignore the ability to do on demand water and not cart it 30 mins from the other side of town

08/07/2013, 05:49 AM	#22
Spyderturbo007 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: PA Posts: 2,564	You do not need a special system for Chloramines. Give this paper by Randy Holmes-Farley a read and you'll see why.