Where to Get a Quality RO/DI System Online

mhhauser321 · 09/18/2007, 05:08 PM

Just wanted to know where most people go to get there RO/Di system.

Need a place to start from.

Runfrumu · 09/18/2007, 05:48 PM

I got one off ebay for like 30 bucks. has a tfc membrane. when i started doing water changes with it my algea didnt last much longer and my coral's are alot more happy. It's rated at 100 gpd.

ihopss · 09/18/2007, 05:54 PM

I bought my RO/DI from the filter guys , they have several to choose from and will help you with that ,they sponsor RC.

cd77 · 09/18/2007, 06:02 PM

My RO unit (3 stage) was bought as a gift through F&S -- I then added a DI unit from F&S when I went SW which brought my TDS to zero.

NeveSSL · 09/18/2007, 06:21 PM

AirWaterIce seems to have one of the best deals. Lifetime warranty AND support! Good prices, too. You can even do a group order with your local reef club and get 15% off plus free shipping... thats what we're doing.

Brandon

bheron · 09/18/2007, 06:30 PM

this one is easy. air water ice for sure. hands down. stop looking and get yours there :-)

tdchicago · 09/18/2007, 06:39 PM

I like mine fromt he filter guys, very easy to intsall, and Jim is cool

rwblues · 09/18/2007, 06:44 PM

Found a nice one on ebay for $99.00 works great

old salty · 09/18/2007, 06:58 PM

Since you are in Ohio, I would recommend Buckeye Field Supply. Russ is a great guy and will not sell you stuff you don't need.

AZDesertRat · 09/18/2007, 07:00 PM

www.buckeyefieldsupply.com
www.thefilterguys.biz
www.spectrapure.com
www.melevsreef.com
www.purelyh2o.com

barbra · 09/18/2007, 07:21 PM

Marc Levenson sells a model that does a great job and is very reasonably priced. I had it's output tested by a government testing facility (a friend works there) and he was amazed at how good it was. Said it was far above even their own standards for RO/DI, particularly as far as conductivity goes.

Krewlor · 09/18/2007, 08:10 PM

I had great luck with the filter guys. You have to trust a company that puts their pictures on the units!

seakwon · 09/18/2007, 08:40 PM

What company did you get the one that costs only 30 bucks at?

AZDesertRat · 09/18/2007, 10:20 PM

Don't waste your money on a $30 unit. You will get about $30 worth and that ain't much. A good RO/DI that will give you reef quality water and have a good lifespan will cost right at $150 minimum, any less and you are giving something up and its usually water quality. A name brand replacement RO membrane all by itself without a housing or anything is over $30 so you do the math on what you can expect.

Sundiego · 09/18/2007, 10:26 PM

filter guys hands down

burris · 09/18/2007, 10:43 PM

support RC, buy from one of the guys AZDesertRat listed

mhhauser321 · 09/19/2007, 03:57 PM

Man does anyone else have any ideas

aquarius77 · 09/19/2007, 04:14 PM

I like my filter guys unit alot, Jim is an awesome guy. I know that az love his spectrapure unit. there are alot of places to get them but make sure you get a reef quality unit.

Runfrumu · 09/19/2007, 04:21 PM

I Wouldnt say the $30 ones are junk. Mine seems to work pretty good. granted it's the portable kind and isnt as fast. But I wouldn't call it junk. Not everything that is good has to cost alot. An RO is carbon, plastic, a membrane and some polyfil. Mine's made in China. The membrane is made in the US. I dont care. That's why it's cheaper. It still works.

Runfrumu · 09/19/2007, 04:22 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/125-GPD-Reverse-...QQcmdZViewItem

NeveSSL · 09/19/2007, 04:40 PM

I think that probably covers it. What are you not satisfied with within those answers?

Brandon

NeveSSL · 09/19/2007, 04:44 PM

Also, FWIW, I would highly recommend getting DI, too. It gets pretty much everything the stuff the membrane and filters miss to make the water very pure.

Brandon

vanmo92 · 09/19/2007, 05:24 PM

I got an ebay aquasafe unit, which I have heard good thing about, but We are on a well with really strange minerals in it, so it doesnt work so well for me. If I would get a new one I would get the one melev sells (www.melevsreef.com) Or get one from Aqua FX (www.aquafx.com)

AZDesertRat · 09/19/2007, 06:30 PM

Before you begin your shopping get a copy of your latest annual water quality report from your water provider. This will have a lot to do with which unit you buy and how well it will work. If you have near pristine tap water then you might get by with an e-bay quality unit for awhile. If its like water in the southwest or southern Calif don't even think about anything but the best or DI and filter replacements will eat your lunch. I have said this a million plus times but you really do get what you pay for with RO/DI systems. Those who recommend e-bay quality systems have never experienced a high quality system and have nothing to compare it to. Once you try them side by side the differences are amazing. I have been fortunate enough to try and own several systems myself and borrow or work with others in my profession. There is a difference. Getting by is one thing but actually performing like it should is a whole other ball game. Don't skimp on water quality if given the choice.
Expect to spend right at $150-$160 for a basic system that will both perform to expectations and give you some life out of the unit. Any less and you are giving up filter and component life, water quality or both. If you want or need an autoshutoff valve for a topoff or drinking system, a pressure gauge to monitor filter condition, a TDS meter to monitor system efficiency and water quality, a RO bypass valve so you can use RO water for drinking or other uses, a flush valve or other worthwhile accessories its going to be in the $199 to $250 range which is where most people should be looking at a minimum. If you want the best of everything, extended filter life and top notch water quality its going to be in the $350 range.

CookieJar · 09/19/2007, 06:31 PM

I'm happy with my Typhoon III from Air Water Ice. I'd stay away from the cheapos on E-bay.

09/18/2007, 05:08 PM	#1
mhhauser321 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 283	Where to Get a Quality RO/DI System Online Just wanted to know where most people go to get there RO/Di system. Need a place to start from. __________________ "Fry: I'm not a robot like you, I don't like having discs cramped into me... unless they're Oreos... and then only in the mouth." "Fry: Wow. That guy makes Speedy Gonzalez look like Regular Gonzalez"

09/18/2007, 05:48 PM	#2
Runfrumu Hi Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NC Posts: 1,014	I got one off ebay for like 30 bucks. has a tfc membrane. when i started doing water changes with it my algea didnt last much longer and my coral's are alot more happy. It's rated at 100 gpd. __________________ Red Sea Max 130d and 125 gallon mixed reef. Current Tank Info: 125 gallon oceanic tank, Lighthouse Pro XLS, 72" outer orbit fixture, H&S 150-F2000/1 skimmer, H&S 110 Calcium Reactor, Tunze 7096, 2 Tunze 6105's , Tunze Osmolator, Prime 1/4hp drop-in chiller. 5 years running. Red Sea Max, 3 years.

09/18/2007, 06:02 PM	#4
cd77 Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Fishers, IN, USA Posts: 1,169	My RO unit (3 stage) was bought as a gift through F&S -- I then added a DI unit from F&S when I went SW which brought my TDS to zero. __________________ -Chris Current Tank Info: 70G Reef (Aug 2007), 45G Reef (Dec 2007)

09/18/2007, 06:21 PM	#5
NeveSSL Got tubes? Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 6,759	AirWaterIce seems to have one of the best deals. Lifetime warranty AND support! Good prices, too. You can even do a group order with your local reef club and get 15% off plus free shipping... thats what we're doing. Brandon __________________ I am proof that post count is not directly proportional to "reef IQ". Zip Ties = Reef Duck Tape Geek it till it MHz!!! Current Tank Info: 180g Build in Process

09/18/2007, 06:30 PM	#6
bheron Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Valley Forge, PA Posts: 2,655	this one is easy. air water ice for sure. hands down. stop looking and get yours there :-) __________________ Bryan Current Tank Info: 220 since Nov 2005

09/18/2007, 05:54 PM	#3
ihopss Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Gilmer,tx Posts: 751	I bought my RO/DI from the filter guys , they have several to choose from and will help you with that ,they sponsor RC.

09/18/2007, 06:39 PM	#7
tdchicago Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chicago, go BEARS Posts: 173	I like mine fromt he filter guys, very easy to intsall, and Jim is cool

09/18/2007, 06:44 PM	#8
rwblues Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: st louis Mo Posts: 77	Found a nice one on ebay for $99.00 works great

09/18/2007, 06:58 PM	#9
old salty Genius Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The Island of Misfit Toys Posts: 3,131	Since you are in Ohio, I would recommend Buckeye Field Supply. Russ is a great guy and will not sell you stuff you don't need. __________________ "The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers." Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: Out of the marine aquarium hobby

09/18/2007, 07:00 PM	#10
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	www.buckeyefieldsupply.com www.thefilterguys.biz www.spectrapure.com www.melevsreef.com www.purelyh2o.com

09/18/2007, 07:21 PM	#11
barbra Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Va Beach, VA Posts: 1,408	Marc Levenson sells a model that does a great job and is very reasonably priced. I had it's output tested by a government testing facility (a friend works there) and he was amazed at how good it was. Said it was far above even their own standards for RO/DI, particularly as far as conductivity goes.

09/18/2007, 08:10 PM	#12
Krewlor Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Annandale, VA Posts: 34	I had great luck with the filter guys. You have to trust a company that puts their pictures on the units!

09/18/2007, 08:40 PM	#13
seakwon Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 127	What company did you get the one that costs only 30 bucks at? __________________ steve Current Tank Info: 29bc

09/18/2007, 10:20 PM	#14
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Don't waste your money on a $30 unit. You will get about $30 worth and that ain't much. A good RO/DI that will give you reef quality water and have a good lifespan will cost right at $150 minimum, any less and you are giving something up and its usually water quality. A name brand replacement RO membrane all by itself without a housing or anything is over $30 so you do the math on what you can expect. Last edited by AZDesertRat; 09/18/2007 at 10:52 PM.

09/18/2007, 10:26 PM	#15
Sundiego Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 221	filter guys hands down

09/18/2007, 10:43 PM	#16
burris Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 257	support RC, buy from one of the guys AZDesertRat listed

09/19/2007, 03:57 PM	#17
mhhauser321 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 283	Man does anyone else have any ideas __________________ "Fry: I'm not a robot like you, I don't like having discs cramped into me... unless they're Oreos... and then only in the mouth." "Fry: Wow. That guy makes Speedy Gonzalez look like Regular Gonzalez"

09/19/2007, 04:14 PM	#18
aquarius77 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Highland, Il Posts: 2,198	I like my filter guys unit alot, Jim is an awesome guy. I know that az love his spectrapure unit. there are alot of places to get them but make sure you get a reef quality unit.

09/19/2007, 04:21 PM	#19
Runfrumu Hi Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NC Posts: 1,014	I Wouldnt say the $30 ones are junk. Mine seems to work pretty good. granted it's the portable kind and isnt as fast. But I wouldn't call it junk. Not everything that is good has to cost alot. An RO is carbon, plastic, a membrane and some polyfil. Mine's made in China. The membrane is made in the US. I dont care. That's why it's cheaper. It still works. __________________ Red Sea Max 130d and 125 gallon mixed reef. Current Tank Info: 125 gallon oceanic tank, Lighthouse Pro XLS, 72" outer orbit fixture, H&S 150-F2000/1 skimmer, H&S 110 Calcium Reactor, Tunze 7096, 2 Tunze 6105's , Tunze Osmolator, Prime 1/4hp drop-in chiller. 5 years running. Red Sea Max, 3 years.

09/19/2007, 04:22 PM	#20
Runfrumu Hi Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NC Posts: 1,014	http://cgi.ebay.com/125-GPD-Reverse-...QQcmdZViewItem __________________ Red Sea Max 130d and 125 gallon mixed reef. Current Tank Info: 125 gallon oceanic tank, Lighthouse Pro XLS, 72" outer orbit fixture, H&S 150-F2000/1 skimmer, H&S 110 Calcium Reactor, Tunze 7096, 2 Tunze 6105's , Tunze Osmolator, Prime 1/4hp drop-in chiller. 5 years running. Red Sea Max, 3 years.

09/19/2007, 04:40 PM	#21
NeveSSL Got tubes? Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 6,759	I think that probably covers it. What are you not satisfied with within those answers? Brandon __________________ I am proof that post count is not directly proportional to "reef IQ". Zip Ties = Reef Duck Tape Geek it till it MHz!!! Current Tank Info: 180g Build in Process

09/19/2007, 04:44 PM	#22
NeveSSL Got tubes? Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 6,759	Also, FWIW, I would highly recommend getting DI, too. It gets pretty much everything the stuff the membrane and filters miss to make the water very pure. Brandon __________________ I am proof that post count is not directly proportional to "reef IQ". Zip Ties = Reef Duck Tape Geek it till it MHz!!! Current Tank Info: 180g Build in Process

09/19/2007, 05:24 PM	#23
vanmo92 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Silverthorne, CO. Posts: 2,045	I got an ebay aquasafe unit, which I have heard good thing about, but We are on a well with really strange minerals in it, so it doesnt work so well for me. If I would get a new one I would get the one melev sells (www.melevsreef.com) Or get one from Aqua FX (www.aquafx.com) __________________ PBITAWA Current Tank Info: 72 gallon bow Mixed Reef 1 fw tank

09/19/2007, 06:30 PM	#24
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Before you begin your shopping get a copy of your latest annual water quality report from your water provider. This will have a lot to do with which unit you buy and how well it will work. If you have near pristine tap water then you might get by with an e-bay quality unit for awhile. If its like water in the southwest or southern Calif don't even think about anything but the best or DI and filter replacements will eat your lunch. I have said this a million plus times but you really do get what you pay for with RO/DI systems. Those who recommend e-bay quality systems have never experienced a high quality system and have nothing to compare it to. Once you try them side by side the differences are amazing. I have been fortunate enough to try and own several systems myself and borrow or work with others in my profession. There is a difference. Getting by is one thing but actually performing like it should is a whole other ball game. Don't skimp on water quality if given the choice. Expect to spend right at $150-$160 for a basic system that will both perform to expectations and give you some life out of the unit. Any less and you are giving up filter and component life, water quality or both. If you want or need an autoshutoff valve for a topoff or drinking system, a pressure gauge to monitor filter condition, a TDS meter to monitor system efficiency and water quality, a RO bypass valve so you can use RO water for drinking or other uses, a flush valve or other worthwhile accessories its going to be in the $199 to $250 range which is where most people should be looking at a minimum. If you want the best of everything, extended filter life and top notch water quality its going to be in the $350 range.

09/19/2007, 06:31 PM	#25
CookieJar Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Mountain View, CA Posts: 545	I'm happy with my Typhoon III from Air Water Ice. I'd stay away from the cheapos on E-bay.