RO Choices worst and best

1stMarDiv · 08/29/2008, 08:45 AM

We are going to purchase a RO filration unit. Anybody here having bad experiences with units regarding fit, finish, filter availbilty and price, ease of use problems, leaks ect, please post your disappointments and resolution to your problems. Or, if you have one that has been a breeze to run, get filters at a reasonable cost, ease of operation and leak free, please post yours also.

AZDesertRat · 08/29/2008, 08:59 AM

Worst would be the drinking water quality systems on places like e-bay. They try to pass them off as reef quality systems but it will cost you more in upgrades and improvements to make it work correctly than if you had spent the money on a good unit to begin with.

The best by far is the MaxCap or MaxCap UHE from www.spectrapure.com . These are unique systems that offer things not found on any other RO/DI system sold today. You pay more initially but you will realize a savings from then on in filter and DI replacement costs. I found my MaxCap purchase cost evened out with other less expensive units in the first year of operation.

In between are lots of very good reef quality units from several Reef Central Sponsors and vendors.
www.buckeyefieldsupply.com has a very good system in their 75 GPD Premium and the reef/residential version of the same unit. For value you cannot beat it since it comes with just about everything you will ever need or want. www.melevsreef.com , www.purelyh2o.com and www.airwaterice.com are a few more reputable vendors that have been around the hobby and industry for years and years.

RokleM · 08/29/2008, 11:08 AM

AZDesertRat knows his stuff.

I use http://www.buckeyefieldsupply.com/ as they are close to me.

pex · 08/29/2008, 11:26 AM

not sure about best or worst, but I really like my 5 stage from www.bulkreefsupply.com Well constructed, great price, and does what it is supposed to do.

gogatsbj · 08/29/2008, 12:04 PM

I have been using a the reefkeeper III from airwaterice for a long time...outstanding unit

limitdown · 08/29/2008, 12:06 PM

Pick a system that uses KXMatrikx carbon blocks and GE Desal RO membranes

AZDesertRat · 08/29/2008, 12:13 PM

There is only one of the major RC companies that uses the GE Desal membrane, Melevs Reef. It does not make any difference whether its Desal or Dow Filmtec as long as you do not get the Dow Filmtec 100 GPD nanofilter membrane which is not an RO membrane. GE Desal says their membrane does 100 GPD at 65 psi, Dow says 75 GPD at 50 psi, they are essentially the same. All the vendors suggested so far use the Matrikx carbon blocks but just saying Matrikx is like saying Ford, Toyota or Chevy, it does not tell you which model. Get the lowest micron rating you can find, usually its 0.5 or 0.6 microns and will last up to 20,000 gallons of normally chlorinated water.

Jessy. · 08/29/2008, 01:20 PM

I use the RO/DI system from Melev's reef. It makes drinking water too... I've got 450 TDS in my tap water and it comes out 0 into my bucket. Really happy with the customer service and everything on the unit.

AMIFL · 08/29/2008, 05:02 PM

Reef guys get my vote.

electraglide999 · 08/29/2008, 05:39 PM

just get one off the bay, save your money for corals. all ro 's do the same they filter water. your just paying for the name. Here you go same one I have. Looks like the price went up about $20 bucks but still the best deal. Works awesome and great customer service. I have been using it for 3 years no problems.

http://cgi.ebay.com/AQUARIUM-RO-2DI-...d=p3286.c0.m14

RokleM · 08/29/2008, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by electraglide999
just get one off the bay, save your money for corals. all ro 's do the same they filter water. your just paying for the name. Here you go same one I have. Looks like the price went up about $20 bucks but still the best deal. Works awesome and great customer service. I have been using it for 3 years no problems.

http://cgi.ebay.com/AQUARIUM-RO-2DI-...d=p3286.c0.m14

WOOHOO... In before the "education"

electraglide999, no offense, but you couldn't be any more wrong. There are MAJOR differences in units. How long of a list do you want of issues with the unit and how many numbers do you want on long term return on investment?

Tangweed · 08/29/2008, 05:44 PM

Got mine here http://www.buckeyefieldsupply.com/sh...ry=168&Sub=166

limitdown · 08/30/2008, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AZDesertRat
All the vendors suggested so far use the Matrikx carbon blocks but just saying Matrikx is like saying Ford, Toyota or Chevy, it does not tell you which model. Get the lowest micron rating you can find, usually its 0.5 or 0.6 microns and will last up to 20,000 gallons of normally chlorinated water.

Yes, get the ones that use model KXMatrikx +1 that has 0.5micron nominal and 1micron absolute rating. These will last for 20k gallons. I use 2 of these at the same time on my system.

Don't get the cheaper models called "CTO/2", "10/2" or "Plekx 10". For my separate drinking water RO system, I use a +1, in addition also a +5, which has a coconut shell for "sweeter" taste. The +5 (2micron nominal 5micron absolute) is a tiny bit more expensive, but you won't need it for a reef.

victor_c3 · 08/30/2008, 06:35 AM

I'm another person voting for Melev's RO/DI system. Great price, great flow, and it works great. My tap water is 270 TDS and the RO/DI water I get from the unit is 0. Definitely a great purchase!

dascharisma · 08/30/2008, 06:57 AM

I like bukeyefieldsupply, but there are a number of good companies out their these days. The one I would stay away from is airwaterice. I bought my first RODI unit from them, and had nothing but problems. They sent me two separate Dow Filmtec RO filters that tested at only 75 - 80% rejection. They eventually admitted that they had sent me 1 defective filter and 1 USED filter! Needless to say, I don't deal with them any more.

Brad

1stMarDiv · 08/30/2008, 07:06 AM

Am I better with a four stage or a 5 stage unit? The 5 stage says it is used with water that has chlorimines in it? What are chlorimines and how do I know if my tap water has that in it?

1stMarDiv · 08/30/2008, 07:08 AM

Oh, also, what is the pressure tank that holds a couple gallons of water for? Do I need that. Is it a handy item to have with this system. I am looking at the Buckeye one and am a little confused with the four stage and five stage, the pressure tank, and also is there filters the ones that are being recommended in the posts above?

1stMarDiv · 08/30/2008, 07:11 AM

One more thing. I will probably be hooking this up right at the tank, as we have a permanent drain to tie into and also a water supply to tap into right under the tank. So I was thinking I could set it up with a float valve in the bottom sump tank (65 gal) so it will constantly feed make up water to the sump. But what happens in the winter when the makeup water is real cold here in Boston? Is that what the small storage pressure tank is for? So the water has a chance to warm up to at least room temperature?

limitdown · 08/30/2008, 09:19 AM

The pressure tank is for storage of drinking water. If you're planning to T-off a line after the RO stage for drinking, then you should consider getting a 4.4 or 10 gallon pressure tank.

If this will purely be for fish use, then you won't need a pressure tank.

There are mixed views about human consumpiton of DI water so most people (myself included) do not use DI for my drinking water systems.

AZDesertRat · 08/30/2008, 12:33 PM

Hooking an RO/DI directly to a sump is very risky at best and not advisable. A failure of the float will make it a freshwater system in a hurry.

The number of stages is not really important. E-bay vendors use this as a sales gimmic making you believe stages are a great thing. They add things like granular activated carbon which is worthless, multiple tiny little hollow tubes with a little bit of resin bobbing around in them and even final drinking water taste and odor filters which actually add TDS and call them "stages".
In truth you need 3 stages for RO and 4 for RO/DI, thats it no more.
You need a high quality prefilter usually 1 micron or less. I use a 0.2 micron absolute rated prefilter so it protects my more expensive carbon block.
You need a single 0.5 or 0.6 micron carbon block as already mentioned in this thread. The Matrikx+1 Chlorine Guzzler is the best.
You need a RO membrane, the most popular by far is the 75GPD Dow Filmtec. The 100GPD GE is almost identical in performance. Myself I find it is beneficial to spend a bit more for the Spectrapure Select series 100% individually hand tested and guaranteed 98+% efficient RO membrane. Keep in mind, for every 2% you increase the membrane efficiency you double the life of your DI resin.
For and RO/DI you will want a ful sized 20 oz vertical Refillable DI canister and cartridge. Myself I use a dual DI with Spectrapures MaxCap and SilicaBuster cartridges for superior performance and resin life but I have very high TDS tap water.

3 stages for RO, 4 stages for DI.

The only reasons to not drink DI water are it tastes very blah or bland and is not refreshing and its expensive to make. There are no proven health concerns either good or bad.

stagefright13 · 08/30/2008, 12:58 PM

AZ is right. Alot of ebay sellers don't have high DI at the last stage. My new one came with a GAC as the last stage. So I ended up buying another refillable DI to replace it. Actually 2 more refillable DI's. Just in case. So I really didn't save any money in the long run. But I will have 0 TDS water for a good year...

Don't skimp on your water.

DI water is GREAT for coffee and lemonade! Tastes awesome! But not good to drink pure. It makes ya thirsty...

08/29/2008, 08:45 AM	#1
1stMarDiv Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 60	RO Choices worst and best We are going to purchase a RO filration unit. Anybody here having bad experiences with units regarding fit, finish, filter availbilty and price, ease of use problems, leaks ect, please post your disappointments and resolution to your problems. Or, if you have one that has been a breeze to run, get filters at a reasonable cost, ease of operation and leak free, please post yours also.

08/29/2008, 11:08 AM	#3
RokleM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,687	AZDesertRat knows his stuff. I use http://www.buckeyefieldsupply.com/ as they are close to me. __________________ -Eric-

08/29/2008, 11:26 AM	#4
pex Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 167	not sure about best or worst, but I really like my 5 stage from www.bulkreefsupply.com Well constructed, great price, and does what it is supposed to do. __________________ Money can't buy happiness, but it's a damn good down payment! Current Tank Info: 92 display, 54 Fuge , 45 sump, 36 frag, 2 x 400w 14,000K MH, 1 x 150w 10,000k MH, 6 x 18w T5...in the works

08/29/2008, 12:06 PM	#6
limitdown Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 640	Pick a system that uses KXMatrikx carbon blocks and GE Desal RO membranes __________________ All I want for Christmas is to stay employed... Current Tank Info: 200g display + 50g sump FO

08/29/2008, 05:44 PM	#12
Tangweed Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mohnton, PA Posts: 1,002	Got mine here http://www.buckeyefieldsupply.com/sh...ry=168&Sub=166 __________________ Thanks! Jeremy Current Tank Info: 90 gal with 40 gal breeder sump / fuge, Octo skimmer, lights and some water.

08/29/2008, 08:59 AM	#2
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Worst would be the drinking water quality systems on places like e-bay. They try to pass them off as reef quality systems but it will cost you more in upgrades and improvements to make it work correctly than if you had spent the money on a good unit to begin with. The best by far is the MaxCap or MaxCap UHE from www.spectrapure.com . These are unique systems that offer things not found on any other RO/DI system sold today. You pay more initially but you will realize a savings from then on in filter and DI replacement costs. I found my MaxCap purchase cost evened out with other less expensive units in the first year of operation. In between are lots of very good reef quality units from several Reef Central Sponsors and vendors. www.buckeyefieldsupply.com has a very good system in their 75 GPD Premium and the reef/residential version of the same unit. For value you cannot beat it since it comes with just about everything you will ever need or want. www.melevsreef.com , www.purelyh2o.com and www.airwaterice.com are a few more reputable vendors that have been around the hobby and industry for years and years.

08/29/2008, 12:04 PM	#5
gogatsbj Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Springfield, VA Posts: 71	I have been using a the reefkeeper III from airwaterice for a long time...outstanding unit

08/29/2008, 12:13 PM	#7
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	There is only one of the major RC companies that uses the GE Desal membrane, Melevs Reef. It does not make any difference whether its Desal or Dow Filmtec as long as you do not get the Dow Filmtec 100 GPD nanofilter membrane which is not an RO membrane. GE Desal says their membrane does 100 GPD at 65 psi, Dow says 75 GPD at 50 psi, they are essentially the same. All the vendors suggested so far use the Matrikx carbon blocks but just saying Matrikx is like saying Ford, Toyota or Chevy, it does not tell you which model. Get the lowest micron rating you can find, usually its 0.5 or 0.6 microns and will last up to 20,000 gallons of normally chlorinated water.

08/29/2008, 01:20 PM	#8
Jessy. Moved On Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 614	I use the RO/DI system from Melev's reef. It makes drinking water too... I've got 450 TDS in my tap water and it comes out 0 into my bucket. Really happy with the customer service and everything on the unit.

08/29/2008, 05:02 PM	#9
AMIFL Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: FL Posts: 359	Reef guys get my vote.

08/29/2008, 05:39 PM	#10
electraglide999 Moved On Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: wisconsin Posts: 130	just get one off the bay, save your money for corals. all ro 's do the same they filter water. your just paying for the name. Here you go same one I have. Looks like the price went up about $20 bucks but still the best deal. Works awesome and great customer service. I have been using it for 3 years no problems. http://cgi.ebay.com/AQUARIUM-RO-2DI-...d=p3286.c0.m14

08/30/2008, 06:35 AM	#14
victor_c3 Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New York Posts: 513	I'm another person voting for Melev's RO/DI system. Great price, great flow, and it works great. My tap water is 270 TDS and the RO/DI water I get from the unit is 0. Definitely a great purchase!

08/30/2008, 06:57 AM	#15
dascharisma Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Ankeny, Iowa Posts: 1,144	I like bukeyefieldsupply, but there are a number of good companies out their these days. The one I would stay away from is airwaterice. I bought my first RODI unit from them, and had nothing but problems. They sent me two separate Dow Filmtec RO filters that tested at only 75 - 80% rejection. They eventually admitted that they had sent me 1 defective filter and 1 USED filter! Needless to say, I don't deal with them any more. Brad __________________ I HATE BROWN CORALS! Current Tank Info: 420 gallon display, 900 gallon system. Volcano Skimmer, Tunze Streams, Neptune Controllers, Radium Bulbs, PFO HQI Ballasts, Tradewinds Chiller

08/30/2008, 07:06 AM	#16
1stMarDiv Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 60	Am I better with a four stage or a 5 stage unit? The 5 stage says it is used with water that has chlorimines in it? What are chlorimines and how do I know if my tap water has that in it?

08/30/2008, 07:08 AM	#17
1stMarDiv Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 60	Oh, also, what is the pressure tank that holds a couple gallons of water for? Do I need that. Is it a handy item to have with this system. I am looking at the Buckeye one and am a little confused with the four stage and five stage, the pressure tank, and also is there filters the ones that are being recommended in the posts above?

08/30/2008, 07:11 AM	#18
1stMarDiv Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 60	One more thing. I will probably be hooking this up right at the tank, as we have a permanent drain to tie into and also a water supply to tap into right under the tank. So I was thinking I could set it up with a float valve in the bottom sump tank (65 gal) so it will constantly feed make up water to the sump. But what happens in the winter when the makeup water is real cold here in Boston? Is that what the small storage pressure tank is for? So the water has a chance to warm up to at least room temperature?

08/30/2008, 09:19 AM	#19
limitdown Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 640	The pressure tank is for storage of drinking water. If you're planning to T-off a line after the RO stage for drinking, then you should consider getting a 4.4 or 10 gallon pressure tank. If this will purely be for fish use, then you won't need a pressure tank. There are mixed views about human consumpiton of DI water so most people (myself included) do not use DI for my drinking water systems. __________________ All I want for Christmas is to stay employed... Current Tank Info: 200g display + 50g sump FO

08/30/2008, 12:33 PM	#20
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Hooking an RO/DI directly to a sump is very risky at best and not advisable. A failure of the float will make it a freshwater system in a hurry. The number of stages is not really important. E-bay vendors use this as a sales gimmic making you believe stages are a great thing. They add things like granular activated carbon which is worthless, multiple tiny little hollow tubes with a little bit of resin bobbing around in them and even final drinking water taste and odor filters which actually add TDS and call them "stages". In truth you need 3 stages for RO and 4 for RO/DI, thats it no more. You need a high quality prefilter usually 1 micron or less. I use a 0.2 micron absolute rated prefilter so it protects my more expensive carbon block. You need a single 0.5 or 0.6 micron carbon block as already mentioned in this thread. The Matrikx+1 Chlorine Guzzler is the best. You need a RO membrane, the most popular by far is the 75GPD Dow Filmtec. The 100GPD GE is almost identical in performance. Myself I find it is beneficial to spend a bit more for the Spectrapure Select series 100% individually hand tested and guaranteed 98+% efficient RO membrane. Keep in mind, for every 2% you increase the membrane efficiency you double the life of your DI resin. For and RO/DI you will want a ful sized 20 oz vertical Refillable DI canister and cartridge. Myself I use a dual DI with Spectrapures MaxCap and SilicaBuster cartridges for superior performance and resin life but I have very high TDS tap water. 3 stages for RO, 4 stages for DI. The only reasons to not drink DI water are it tastes very blah or bland and is not refreshing and its expensive to make. There are no proven health concerns either good or bad.

08/30/2008, 12:58 PM	#21
stagefright13 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hatboro, PA USA Posts: 899	AZ is right. Alot of ebay sellers don't have high DI at the last stage. My new one came with a GAC as the last stage. So I ended up buying another refillable DI to replace it. Actually 2 more refillable DI's. Just in case. So I really didn't save any money in the long run. But I will have 0 TDS water for a good year... Don't skimp on your water. DI water is GREAT for coffee and lemonade! Tastes awesome! But not good to drink pure. It makes ya thirsty...