Costco RO unit

Twisted · 03/01/2007, 12:07 AM

Is this RO unit worth it for water changes? Or am I better off buying the regular 3 stage RO unit for the hobby? Or should I hold out and buy the 4 stage RO/DI unit when I have the money?
http://www.costco.com:80/Browse/Prod...311&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&Sp=C&hierPath=114*28182*4311*

kevin95695 · 03/01/2007, 01:15 AM

Dunno...

My tapwater ranges from 480-750ppm. This RO unit reduces it to 40-75ppm: A reduction of roughly 90% which is efficient by most standards. I added a tee with a DI cartridge which reduced the ppm to Zero. I have no worries mixing seawater with 0ppm to start... Sometimes I think I shoulda bought a kit designed for the aquarist though. Check the RC sponsors links for filter guys. Price is good and their stuff is reef oriented. Later.

AZDesertRat · 03/01/2007, 08:43 AM

I started out with the same system back in 1996. Its a good drinking water system but requires major replacements to make it reef quality. As I found it is better to start off with a reef quality RO/DI and adapt it for drinking water rather than the other way around.
Today I have a Spectrapure MaxCap RO/DI system that is used for both reef water and RO water for cooking, drinking, pets and ice maker through a 14 gallon pressure tank. Great system.

chris4869 · 03/01/2007, 09:10 AM

The $139.99 unit you wanted from Costco is actually a 5 stage unit. I think Costco sold the 3 stage RO unit back in 1996.

fareforce · 03/01/2007, 10:21 AM

Also if you look at the replacement filters, they are all 5 micron. Way to big for reef. Reef should be 1 micron.

Twisted · 03/01/2007, 11:41 AM

Cool thanks guys! I guess I am better off looking at Buckeye fields "value" menu!

AZDesertRat · 03/01/2007, 11:54 AM

Don't get misled by the number of stages issue, it doesn't mean a thing. I can claim 5 stages but put toilet paper in them and call it a filter. You need to look at what is contained in the stages and 4 is all that is necessary for great treatment, prefilter, carbon, RO and DI, that all you need, period. The better the quality of the individual filters the better your water quality will be and the longer your carbon block, RO membrane and DI resin will last.
Twisted, step up to the premium series so you get the pressure gauge and added features it includes for the few extra $$$. You won't regret it.

chris4869 · 03/02/2007, 09:40 AM

Good info AZDesertRat. Where were you when I was @ Costco? hehehe

03/01/2007, 12:07 AM	#1
Twisted Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Redding, CA Posts: 1,221	Costco RO unit Is this RO unit worth it for water changes? Or am I better off buying the regular 3 stage RO unit for the hobby? Or should I hold out and buy the 4 stage RO/DI unit when I have the money? http://www.costco.com:80/Browse/Prod...311&Ns=P_Price\|1\|\|P_SignDesc1&Sp=C&hierPath=114281824311*

03/01/2007, 01:15 AM	#2
kevin95695 Member of the Registry Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Perimeter patrol. Posts: 3,469	Dunno... My tapwater ranges from 480-750ppm. This RO unit reduces it to 40-75ppm: A reduction of roughly 90% which is efficient by most standards. I added a tee with a DI cartridge which reduced the ppm to Zero. I have no worries mixing seawater with 0ppm to start... Sometimes I think I shoulda bought a kit designed for the aquarist though. Check the RC sponsors links for filter guys. Price is good and their stuff is reef oriented. Later. __________________ You wouldn't believe it if I told you. Go put on the helmet. Did I say that out loud? Current Tank Info: Color chunks in a big water box.

03/01/2007, 10:21 AM	#5
fareforce Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Anchorage, AK (Alaska) Home of the frozen weasel Posts: 1,811	Also if you look at the replacement filters, they are all 5 micron. Way to big for reef. Reef should be 1 micron. __________________ It's not my fault!!! It was an I.D.ten.T. thing.. Gosh!!!! (ID10T) --------------------------------------------- Click the red house to see my current build thread! Current Tank Info: Current Project. 110 gallon starphire.

03/01/2007, 08:43 AM	#3
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	I started out with the same system back in 1996. Its a good drinking water system but requires major replacements to make it reef quality. As I found it is better to start off with a reef quality RO/DI and adapt it for drinking water rather than the other way around. Today I have a Spectrapure MaxCap RO/DI system that is used for both reef water and RO water for cooking, drinking, pets and ice maker through a 14 gallon pressure tank. Great system.

03/01/2007, 09:10 AM	#4
chris4869 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,006	The $139.99 unit you wanted from Costco is actually a 5 stage unit. I think Costco sold the 3 stage RO unit back in 1996.

03/01/2007, 11:41 AM	#6
Twisted Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Redding, CA Posts: 1,221	Cool thanks guys! I guess I am better off looking at Buckeye fields "value" menu!

03/01/2007, 11:54 AM	#7
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Don't get misled by the number of stages issue, it doesn't mean a thing. I can claim 5 stages but put toilet paper in them and call it a filter. You need to look at what is contained in the stages and 4 is all that is necessary for great treatment, prefilter, carbon, RO and DI, that all you need, period. The better the quality of the individual filters the better your water quality will be and the longer your carbon block, RO membrane and DI resin will last. Twisted, step up to the premium series so you get the pressure gauge and added features it includes for the few extra $$$. You won't regret it.

03/02/2007, 09:40 AM	#8
chris4869 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,006	Good info AZDesertRat. Where were you when I was @ Costco? hehehe