Which RO/DI unit to buy?

[Radicaljbr]

Does it reall matter which RO/DI to buy?

I have an RO unit that only makes about 20 gallon at most per day and I am upgrading.

Are all in Marinedepot as good as the next. I am looking for one to make a lot more water per day.

Also is the DI all that important? Mine now is nust an RO.

Thanks

[ledford1]

Go to airwaterice.com - great prices and great people.

I have a 75gpd Typhoon III and love it.

[Neptune777]

Skip the fish supply retailers....they are way over priced IMO. Go to ebay and look them up...there are tons. I got one from there with 100gpd output with 2 re-fillable di units for ~$100 (brand new too). The thing has worked flawlessly....have had it sice October and I still get a reading of zero with the TDS meter.



Ohhh, here is the one I purchased...

http://cgi.ebay.com/AQUARIUM-2-110GP...QQcmdZViewItem

[LivingTropicals]

That is also the one I have. Great unit.

[fightingobblers]

I second AirWaterIce

[MrsDorothy]

I third AirWaterIce. I also have a typhoon r0/di unit.

[Radicaljbr]

Thanks so far,

Off to chech them out at Airwaterice and ebay.

What about my DI question?

Thanks all

[Radicaljbr]

Also, if you buy from ebay, then how do you replace the cartridges? Can you stick in any standard filter from most any source like marinedepot?

Thanks

[Pandora]

Radical: Most are standard, and interchangable. I bought mine off of eBay and it was under $100; at that rate, by the time TDS rises above 0 significantly, it's almost easier to NOT change it, and just replace it; personally, I don't think it's worth the trouble over a difference of only a few bucks (it's been doing quite well and my TDS meter is still used regularly for monitoring). I do believe that the airwaterrice are superior RO/DI after some convincing by people like AZDesertRat, but I still think that for my purposes, it's not worth the difference in cost still... depends largely on what your needs are. PS: eBay auctions are somewhat variable, so YMMV; check seller feedback.

[smleee]

Originally posted by MrsDorothy
I third AirWaterIce. I also have a typhoon r0/di unit.

4th, though it's in the mail. From everything I've read here the support is second to none.

Also, the unit posted comes with the GE membrane which is not as effective as the DOW membrane; it also comes with horizontal DI chambers - vertical chambers are more effective due to the channeling effect you get on horizontal chambers (though you could probably mount the unit sideways so the DI chambers are vertical). Some things to think about.

eee

[Radicaljbr]

Originally posted by smleee
4th, though it's in the mail. From everything I've read here the support is second to none.

Also, the unit posted comes with the GE membrane which is not as effective as the DOW membrane; it also comes with horizontal DI chambers - vertical chambers are more effective due to the channeling effect you get on horizontal chambers (though you could probably mount the unit sideways so the DI chambers are vertical). Some things to think about.

eee

Thanks. When you are talking about the unit posted, are you reffering to the one from Ebay by Neptune or from airwaterice?

Thanks

[vessxpress1]

I just visited airwaterice.com. I'm very impressed with this typhoon unit. It's 5 stages and less than a Kent Hi-S 4 stage Maxxima on ebay.
Why can't the unit take out chloramines? Do you still have to treat the water with a dechlorinator if your water supplier uses them? And if they don't for now, what happens if your city all of a sudden starts using this stuff too? They're not going to call you before you're dumping the water into your aquarium.

This looks like a really great unit. I think I'm sold on it.

[rkehockey16]

i have a Kent Maxxmia and loving it

[kiwi911]

Just got my AirWaterIce Typhoon III today. Only took about twenty minutes to start filtering water...just about plug and play. The whole unit comes assembled...Could not be happier!

[twkenny]

Originally posted by Radicaljbr
Does it reall matter which RO/DI to buy?

I have an RO unit that only makes about 20 gallon at most per day and I am upgrading.

You should try www.purelyh2o.com as Bryan, the owner, is very active on this forum and always offers good advice. I've had the pleasure of dealing with him on a few items and have decided to do all of my RO/DI business with him.

To answer your other question, yes, get the DI portion as well. The RO membrane will really bring down your TDS, but the DI process will get it down to zero or so, as long as your incoming TDS is not crazy high.

There are a lot of good units available, I'd get one with a vertical DI housing, unlike the filterdirect unit off eBay. PuelyH20 sells a wide variety of units and I'm sure you'll find one you like.

[Radicaljbr]

Thanks ALL!!

I really apreciate all the suggestions. I went ahead and ordered one today with an inline TDS meter.

Seems like a lot of people talk about the Typhoon not only on this site but other reef sites that I favor as well.

Thanks again!!

[donski]

Typhoon III.I've had mine about 2 months. Mention you are a RC member when and if you buy one

[nemo g]

ive just made the decision and went with the typhoon III

why? you pay more, but you get a lot more.

a. pressure gauge
b. standard split from ro away from di
c. tds meter
d. standard housings
e. float valve controller

all of these are almost additonal items on many units that i checked, especially those on ebay. the standard housing is very important. if they are not, itll be hard and more expensive to find refill media.

here are two VERY good links to check before making your decision

ro/di faq page here on RC
1. http://reefcentral.com/modules.php?s...showpage&pid=2

and a discussion, via audio, about ro/di filters. click on the "pod" to listen
2. http://www.reefcast.com/downloads.php


in the end, i doubt i did, but even if i spent $30 bucks more, i know i got the best. and when you can get the best for just a few pennies more, its always worth it, even if its just to avoid the anxiety of "did i get the right one" . and for me, the best is the one that perfoms great AND has the included accessories that makes use easier and more efficient.

they way i think of it, pure water is the blood of reefs. so why not make sure you are getting pure blood and easily

[Zoos]

Go to airwaterice.com - great prices and great people. I have a 75gpd Typhoon III and love it.

Me too

[MCary]

If you already have a 20 gpd system you probably could have put a 75 gpd membrane in it and VIOLA! Your upgraded. If it didn't fit you could have bought a new mebrane housing and used the exsisting prefilter housing. There isn't much magical about RO systems. They are just PVC or plastic housings that hold filters.

[Radicaljbr]

Thanks all,

I actually wanted to leave the current RO system alone and let it continue to run the ice maker and drinking water line. I do plan on totally getting away from having both, but I want a seperate water holding tank for both my drinking water and another sperate one for my tank water. So until I can go buy another tank for the RO/DI tank water. I will just run both seperate.

[Jay4Robin]

I just purchased an amazing system from Bryan!!!

look at this amazing custom unit! 24 hour customer service! Its top quality!

[Lunchbucket]

i suggest Bryan from www.purelyh2o.com his service rocks and his units are TOP NOTCH!! soooo many bells and whistles and you can design a system to fit your needs too

Lunchbucket

[L and L]

I went with purely h2o also. Excellent quality and performance.

Here is a 10% discount code:

RCDJB8HL

I asked Bryan if it was ok to post and he said no problem.


Good luck,

[smleee]

Originally posted by Radicaljbr
Thanks. When you are talking about the unit posted, are you reffering to the one from Ebay by Neptune or from airwaterice?

Thanks

Sorry a little late, but "the unit posted" I was talking about was the ebay one.

The one that's in the mail is the AWI Typhoon III

eee