Question on Aquatic Life RO/DI Unit

TMIAAL · 03/29/2016, 06:07 PM

Hey All

I'm planning on buying my first ro/di unit and stumbled upon what I think is a good deal.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...8&pcatid=26888

Since this would be my first, I'm just a bit confused by the terminology. Obviously I have to buy the unite itself and then the Mixed Bed Resin Cartridge for DI purposes. My question is what is the 50gpd membrane that is also listed there? Is that required?

Sorry this is such a noob question.

Really appreciate the help

TMIAAL · 03/29/2016, 06:25 PM

Also, I'm hoping for a lower profile system. As I I'm in an apartment and space is limited. As I do more reading into this, it seems like it might be space intensive. The need for tubing, a reservoir for the water, and then something for the waste water.

While I'm on the topic of asking noob questions, is the unit always "on"? So if I hook this up to my bathroom sink, can I only have it on when I am making water for my tank? How long does it take usually to make a gallon? Is it instantaneous?

Much thanks

olemiss reb · 03/29/2016, 06:26 PM

It comes with the membrane. They have them listed to order when the membrane needs replacing.

I'd spend the extra cash and get a better unit.-- http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/bulk-r...s-systems.html -- Water is not where one should skimp.

TMIAAL · 03/29/2016, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olemiss reb

It comes with the membrane. They have them listed to order when the membrane needs replacing.

I'd spend the extra cash and get a better unit.-- http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/bulk-r...s-systems.html -- Water is not where one should skimp.

So something like this?
What makes these units you linked to better?

ebow3d · 03/30/2016, 03:26 AM

The units that he linked to have better filter housings and also a di stage.

If space is an issue, you can also look at this one on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/RO-DI-REVERS...item1e8eeb1f7c

I have that one, and it works fine. Recently I have added another stage to mine, and its quite easily done.

Vinny Kreyling · 03/30/2016, 08:28 AM

Basically all RO units are made alike & most will accept other manufacturers cartridges and membranes. The units are sold by how much water to expect daily, but this is a function of the membrane only, not the other components, so 50GPD, 75 GPD, etc.
You can change membranes to increase production but you also have to change the flow restrictor to match.

Opus123 · 03/30/2016, 09:22 AM

Do a google search for spectrapure refurbished ro unit. Should be around $130 for the unit and you won't be able to tell it is refurbished. One of the best units on the market. Since you are in an apartment you will also want to get a faucet adapter. Make sure it will work on your kitchen or bathroom sinks. From what I've read, most people in apartments hook it up to the sink and then use one of those 5 gallon jugs and sit in the sink so if you forget about it and it overflows you don't flood the place, it just goes down the sink. You also put the waste water line in the sink. I've also seen people hook it up to their bathroom sink and put the water jug and waste line in the bathtub. As stated earlier, the production number you see is a daily number and is effected by things such as water pressure and water temp. I have a 75gpd unit and it currently takes around 1 1/2 hours to fill up a 5 gal jug. In the summer when the water is much warmer it takes closer to an hour. It is also a good idea to spend $20 on a hand held tds meter so you can test your water whenever you want.

oseymour · 03/30/2016, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMIAAL

Also, I'm hoping for a lower profile system. As I I'm in an apartment and space is limited. As I do more reading into this, it seems like it might be space intensive. The need for tubing, a reservoir for the water, and then something for the waste water.

While I'm on the topic of asking noob questions, is the unit always "on"? So if I hook this up to my bathroom sink, can I only have it on when I am making water for my tank? How long does it take usually to make a gallon? Is it instantaneous?

Much thanks

This is the exact unit I use, I had the 50gpd membrane when I had a 34 and 50 gallon tank and I upgraded to the 100gpd with my new 74 gallon tank. I live in an apartment in NYC so I fully understand your space requirements. I connect it to the kitchen sink with a faucet adapter and I keep it in a 5 gallon bucket along with my other water change equipment when it's not in use. I didn't want to risk a flood by connecting it permanently and space again is a factor.

I live on the 3rd floor and water pressure was low so eventually i got a booster pump that significantly increased the amount of water that was produced. Now I make a gallon in about 15 to 20 minutes.

I once purchased a BRS unit but it was too big and I had no where to store it so I returned it.

Let me know if you have any more questions or need some pictures.

TMIAAL · 03/30/2016, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oseymour

This is the exact unit I use, I had the 50gpd membrane when I had a 34 and 50 gallon tank and I upgraded to the 100gpd with my new 74 gallon tank. I live in an apartment in NYC so I fully understand your space requirements. I connect it to the kitchen sink with a faucet adapter and I keep it in a 5 gallon bucket along with my other water change equipment when it's not in use. I didn't want to risk a flood by connecting it permanently and space again is a factor.

I live on the 3rd floor and water pressure was low so eventually i got a booster pump that significantly increased the amount of water that was produced. Now I make a gallon in about 15 to 20 minutes.

I once purchased a BRS unit but it was too big and I had no where to store it so I returned it.

Let me know if you have any more questions or need some pictures.

Hey, I really appreciate all the responses.

oseymour, if you don't, a picture wouldn't really help me out as I am trying to visualize how this would work in my apartment.

So do you essentially completely uninstall the unit when it is not in use? How long does this take you to do?

Opus123 · 03/30/2016, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMIAAL

Hey, I really appreciate all the responses.

oseymour, if you don't, a picture wouldn't really help me out as I am trying to visualize how this would work in my apartment.

So do you essentially completely uninstall the unit when it is not in use? How long does this take you to do?

You just unscrew the sink adapter from the sink faucet and you are done. Probably 30 seconds at most. You then store the RO unit somewhere. Just make sure you don't let the water leak out. If the RO membrane gets dry it will ruin it.

TMIAAL · 03/30/2016, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Opus123

You just unscrew the sink adapter from the sink faucet and you are done. Probably 30 seconds at most. You then store the RO unit somewhere. Just make sure you don't let the water leak out. If the RO membrane gets dry it will ruin it.

Awesome, thank you. This has all really helped a lot.

oseymour · 03/30/2016, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMIAAL

Awesome, thank you. This has all really helped a lot.

Add another 30 seconds to mine because I have to disconnect my booster pump but that's all there is to it.

03/29/2016, 06:07 PM	#1
TMIAAL Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 63	Question on Aquatic Life RO/DI Unit Hey All I'm planning on buying my first ro/di unit and stumbled upon what I think is a good deal. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...8&pcatid=26888 Since this would be my first, I'm just a bit confused by the terminology. Obviously I have to buy the unite itself and then the Mixed Bed Resin Cartridge for DI purposes. My question is what is the 50gpd membrane that is also listed there? Is that required? Sorry this is such a noob question. Really appreciate the help

03/29/2016, 06:26 PM	#3
olemiss reb Molon Labe Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,550	It comes with the membrane. They have them listed to order when the membrane needs replacing. I'd spend the extra cash and get a better unit.-- http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/bulk-r...s-systems.html -- Water is not where one should skimp. __________________ secesh

03/30/2016, 08:28 AM	#6
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	Basically all RO units are made alike & most will accept other manufacturers cartridges and membranes. The units are sold by how much water to expect daily, but this is a function of the membrane only, not the other components, so 50GPD, 75 GPD, etc. You can change membranes to increase production but you also have to change the flow restrictor to match. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

03/29/2016, 06:25 PM	#2
TMIAAL Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 63	Also, I'm hoping for a lower profile system. As I I'm in an apartment and space is limited. As I do more reading into this, it seems like it might be space intensive. The need for tubing, a reservoir for the water, and then something for the waste water. While I'm on the topic of asking noob questions, is the unit always "on"? So if I hook this up to my bathroom sink, can I only have it on when I am making water for my tank? How long does it take usually to make a gallon? Is it instantaneous? Much thanks

03/30/2016, 03:26 AM	#5
ebow3d Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 66	The units that he linked to have better filter housings and also a di stage. If space is an issue, you can also look at this one on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/RO-DI-REVERS...item1e8eeb1f7c I have that one, and it works fine. Recently I have added another stage to mine, and its quite easily done.

03/30/2016, 09:22 AM	#7
Opus123 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: North Texas Posts: 605	Do a google search for spectrapure refurbished ro unit. Should be around $130 for the unit and you won't be able to tell it is refurbished. One of the best units on the market. Since you are in an apartment you will also want to get a faucet adapter. Make sure it will work on your kitchen or bathroom sinks. From what I've read, most people in apartments hook it up to the sink and then use one of those 5 gallon jugs and sit in the sink so if you forget about it and it overflows you don't flood the place, it just goes down the sink. You also put the waste water line in the sink. I've also seen people hook it up to their bathroom sink and put the water jug and waste line in the bathtub. As stated earlier, the production number you see is a daily number and is effected by things such as water pressure and water temp. I have a 75gpd unit and it currently takes around 1 1/2 hours to fill up a 5 gal jug. In the summer when the water is much warmer it takes closer to an hour. It is also a good idea to spend $20 on a hand held tds meter so you can test your water whenever you want.