Alt way for RO Water??

SoCalSURFrider · 06/19/2008, 07:09 PM

Alright... I went by CVS the other day and noticed one of those water machines for purified drinking water that people fill up with big containers....and... I read the information on it and it said that It goes through 2 different types of UV sterilization and goes through the RO stages... and a couple other filter stages..... Would this water be good for top offs?? Since I dont have a RO/DI system, this sounded like it did the same thing.... and only 75 cents for 5 gallons... What do u guys think?

orgtizz · 06/19/2008, 07:17 PM

I, like you, also don't have a RO unit yet, and I get my water from a local Supermarket that sell's it for $1.50 for 5 gls (comes out of a dispenser). It is allegedly the same stuff, and I found it does wonders. It stifled my algae problem I was getting from the normal tap water!

SoCalSURFrider · 06/19/2008, 07:24 PM

Ya I was getting my freshwater at my LFS for top offs and I THINK he gets his water from the machine I was talking about but he charges a dollar more! But ya it does sound like an RO/DI system...

OceanDweller · 06/20/2008, 12:11 AM

It would likely be a good idea to invest in an RODI with a 200 gallon tank

Playa-1 · 06/20/2008, 01:41 AM

The best option is to get one of these

The second best option would be to go to the lfs and get the water ready to go. Many of the LFS in so cal use Catalina Water Company and get their tanks bulk filled.
http://www.catalinawater.com/About_Us.html

The water out of the machine would be better then tap water but the problem that jumps out at me is the fact that so cal water uses Chloramine to treat the tap water. So it's not just a matter or hitting it with a carbon or ro filter anymore.

snorvich · 06/20/2008, 03:51 AM

Amen to that. You definitely do not want to be dependent on some one else's water. Plus it will cost a lot in the long run to buy water rather than make it. And that is not counting the time and effort to get it lug it, and fill up the vehicle with gas to transport it.

AZDesertRat · 06/20/2008, 09:13 AM

The problem with the vending machines is you have no idea what the maintanance history is or how good/bad the water is coming out of it. Unlike tap water there are no regulations on the water vending machines other than weights and measures in some areas to ensure you are getting a gallon for your quarter or whatever it is.
If I have to purchase water I try to go to a staffed Water & Ice type store. They always have a TDS or conductivity meter and most are happy to show you the quality of their product. Here in Phoenix there seems to be a water store on every corner and the one closest to me actually has very good water, they are able to get the TDS down from 800+ to less than 15 which is not bad considering the amount of water they make. Not as good as having your own RO/DI unit but at least you have an idea of the quality.

06/19/2008, 07:09 PM	#1
SoCalSURFrider Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 380	Alt way for RO Water?? Alright... I went by CVS the other day and noticed one of those water machines for purified drinking water that people fill up with big containers....and... I read the information on it and it said that It goes through 2 different types of UV sterilization and goes through the RO stages... and a couple other filter stages..... Would this water be good for top offs?? Since I dont have a RO/DI system, this sounded like it did the same thing.... and only 75 cents for 5 gallons... What do u guys think? __________________ Whatever happens, Happens...( IF YOU DONT SURF, DONT START!) Current Tank Info: 200g Mixed Reef 84'-24'-24' Custom Stand/Canopy- 6' light fixture with 3 400w 14k Metal Halides and 2 160w 10k VHOs With 4 cooling fans- R2 moonlights- 4 clip on fans in canopy for cooling- 2 CPR overflows with aqua lifters- 60g custom sump/ fuge

06/19/2008, 07:24 PM	#3
SoCalSURFrider Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 380	Ya I was getting my freshwater at my LFS for top offs and I THINK he gets his water from the machine I was talking about but he charges a dollar more! But ya it does sound like an RO/DI system... __________________ Whatever happens, Happens...( IF YOU DONT SURF, DONT START!) Current Tank Info: 200g Mixed Reef 84'-24'-24' Custom Stand/Canopy- 6' light fixture with 3 400w 14k Metal Halides and 2 160w 10k VHOs With 4 cooling fans- R2 moonlights- 4 clip on fans in canopy for cooling- 2 CPR overflows with aqua lifters- 60g custom sump/ fuge

06/20/2008, 12:11 AM	#4
OceanDweller Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Longview Texas Posts: 294	It would likely be a good idea to invest in an RODI with a 200 gallon tank __________________ Brad

06/20/2008, 03:51 AM	#6
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	Amen to that. You definitely do not want to be dependent on some one else's water. Plus it will cost a lot in the long run to buy water rather than make it. And that is not counting the time and effort to get it lug it, and fill up the vehicle with gas to transport it. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

06/19/2008, 07:17 PM	#2
orgtizz Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Hbg PA Posts: 195	I, like you, also don't have a RO unit yet, and I get my water from a local Supermarket that sell's it for $1.50 for 5 gls (comes out of a dispenser). It is allegedly the same stuff, and I found it does wonders. It stifled my algae problem I was getting from the normal tap water!

06/20/2008, 01:41 AM	#5
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	The best option is to get one of these The second best option would be to go to the lfs and get the water ready to go. Many of the LFS in so cal use Catalina Water Company and get their tanks bulk filled. http://www.catalinawater.com/About_Us.html The water out of the machine would be better then tap water but the problem that jumps out at me is the fact that so cal water uses Chloramine to treat the tap water. So it's not just a matter or hitting it with a carbon or ro filter anymore.

06/20/2008, 09:13 AM	#7
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	The problem with the vending machines is you have no idea what the maintanance history is or how good/bad the water is coming out of it. Unlike tap water there are no regulations on the water vending machines other than weights and measures in some areas to ensure you are getting a gallon for your quarter or whatever it is. If I have to purchase water I try to go to a staffed Water & Ice type store. They always have a TDS or conductivity meter and most are happy to show you the quality of their product. Here in Phoenix there seems to be a water store on every corner and the one closest to me actually has very good water, they are able to get the TDS down from 800+ to less than 15 which is not bad considering the amount of water they make. Not as good as having your own RO/DI unit but at least you have an idea of the quality.