Recommended RODI for reef and drinking water?

[pisces_steve]

I'm looking for a good filter for water changes on my 20G nano and for a future 55G. I'd also like one that will allow for a splitter between the RO and DI units so I can plumb in a line and tap for drinking water. My water doesn't produce the best tasting coffee and I need tasty java. All the combo units I've seen are pretty spendy $$$ and I don't think I need a fancy reservoir and spout. Any recommendations would greatly appreciated.

[dwd5813]

75gpd premium series from buckeye field supply works well for me.

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

[cichlid9]

I get a 75gpd from bulk reef supply
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...us-system.html
has a tds meter so you know when its time to change your membrane. Came with every type of connections possible. Best of all is that companies customer service. Everytime I email them with a question I get a very quick/knowledgeable answer.

[troyman]

for drinking water it cant go through the di cartridge you have to put cut off valve before the di canister

[Kungpaoshizi]

don't drink di water, you can find a portable unit 100gpd on ebay for 68$ from purewaterclub, I like mine but the di chamber is a bit smaller.

[bertoni]

RO/DI or RO water are both fine to drink if the filter hasn't been contaminated by bacteria, which can be an issue. I would ask a vendor to recommend a filter that's rated for drinking water use, although I in the past drank RO/DI water daily for a couple of years without problems.

[troyman]

di water is not safe to drink everything been taken out of water from the di media repeat it is not safe to drink

[troyman]

since the process removes all the elements from the water when you drink di water it draws the minerals and other elements from your body also di resin has either sulferic acid or sodium hydroxide or both in it do the research

[bertoni]

That's not particularly true. The amount of minerals in water is so small that the effect of drinking RO/DI water is effectively zero compared to the amount your body gets from food, etc. This subject has been discussed over and over again in this forum. There's some silly UN report that might have some bearing on people nearly dead from electrolyte depletion, but lots of people have consumed DI for years with no issues.

[carolina reefer]

He said he wanted to tap off before the DI for drinking water, I believe. Bulk Reef Supply has what you need for a good price. Replacement filters are reasonable too.

[pisces_steve]

Thanks all! I am indeed planning on plumbing in a tap between the RO and DI canisters. Thanks for the bulk reef supply suggestion Carolina Reefer!

[garydan]

I'm sure safety of drinking DI water has already been debated to death somewhere else, but here goes nothing....

Here's what the world health organization has to say about it: http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_...ineralized.pdf

summary:
It's missing magnesium, calcium, and other nutrients which are beneficial to your health (both RO and RO/DI). It sites some research that says drinking water should be > 100 TDS because of this.

TDS less than 30 can leech heavy metals or coatings off of the pipes used for transport (both RO and RO/DI).

It can become contaminated with bacteria. (both RO and RO/DI)

It doesn't quench thirst as well and has an off flavor, but these are subjective.

Some old research (1963) had reported negative effects to mucous membrane or intenstines, but those results have not been repeatable. A 1993 study with rats found no ill effects.

So, I have a TDS of 37 for tap, 4 for RO, and 0 for DI. I'm using a GE home RO system from home depot, and I did a add on DI cartridge. According to this study none of my water will supply beneficial nutrients, and the RO and RO/DI have the same potential risks for bacteria and leeching.

[bertoni]

Did the home RO system come with any information on bacterial problems?

[Allmost]

the info on not drinking DI water helps alot, thanks guys, I knew I shouldnt drink it, never knew why lol

another question about DI though, the water out of my DI chamber has a very high PH, although TDS is zero !!!

could anyone explain this ?

the PH is higher than 9 !!!!
where I thoguht it should be 7 :S

for making SW, I circulate the water for 24 hours and insert a air stone, and the PH drops to about 8.5 :S
I have tried to explain this to myself, but have failed, lol, if anyone can help me understand and correct this I would appreciate it.

(maybe its due to this high PH that my reef tanks PH is so stable ? ) lol

[bertoni]

The meters and kits we use to measure pH aren't effective in RO/DI water due to the lack of ionic content and buffering. Generally, the pH of RO/DI water is a bit acidic if it's taken up any carbon dioxide from the air.

[Allmost]

Originally Posted by bertoni

The meters and kits we use to measure pH aren't effective in RO/DI water due to the lack of ionic content and buffering. Generally, the pH of RO/DI water is a bit acidic if it's taken up any carbon dioxide from the air.

hmm thanks, and sorry for hijacking thread :P lol

KH of the RODI water is zero so I guess its good

[HighlandReefer]

I believe this article sums up the current knowledge regarding using RODI, DI or RO water for drinking water.


5 Potential Health Consequences of Reverse Osmosis Systems
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-imp...ms-657987.html

From it:

Potential Health Consequences of Reverse Osmosis Systems

Most of the focus for water quality has been on pollution and removing contaminants to a level considered safe for drinking water.  Now there is also concern that we may be taking out essential nutrients needed for our health.  As early as 1980, the World Health Organization(WHO) began to notice some effects on the populations that were using desalinated water.  They concluded then that completely demineralised water has a “definite adverse influence on the animal and human organism.”

No where on earth is there naturally occurring, chemically pure, water.  That is because water is the universal solvent.  Lots of compounds readily dissolve into water.  So, as it flows, it collects additives.  Some are good and many, especially the man made ones, are harmful.  There are ways to purify water, such as with a reverse osmosis system

Desalination is a process for providing fresh water from brackish or sea water.  The practice has been in use for over thirty years.  Fresh water is achieved with the use of a reverse osmosis system.  There are thousands of desalination plants around the world, producing 6 billion gallons of water a day, or more.

In 2005, WHO presented a publication titled:  Nutrients in Drinking Water.  One whole chapter was devoted to the health risks of  consuming water that had the minerals removed.  All methods of artificially producing demineralised water were discussed, including the home use of reverse osmosis systems

The WHO publication discussed 5 possible health consequences of consuming water with a low mineral content:

There is a negative effect on water and mineral homeostasis mechanisms of the body.  It causes an increase in urine output that, in turn, causes an electrolyte imbalance.

No intake of calcium and magnesium from low-mineral water is associated with an increase in death from cardiovascular disease, a higher risk of fracture in children, some neuro-degenerative diseases , low birth weight of babies and even some types of cancer.

Intake of other essential elements and micro elements is reduced in low mineral water.  It is needed since, the modern diet may not be an adequate.  Even the low intake of the element with drinking water is important.  This is because the elements are more easily absorbed from water than from food.

Loss of calcium, magnesium and other essential elements can be as high as 60%, or even more, when preparing food with low mineral water.  Since the diet may not provide adequate amounts of these minerals, further reductions may cause severe deficiencies of these nutrients.

There is a possible increase in intake of toxic metals due to leaching from pipes or storage tanks.

The conclusion reached was that drinking water should contain minimum levels of essential minerals, such as calcium and magnesium.  And it was made clear, that using any type of a reverse osmosis system, removes these essential nutrients.

When the need for water purification in the home was recognized thirty years ago, the commercial application for reverse osmosis systems were scaled down to fill that need.  Now, with the better filter technology available to remove the pollutants, and also leave the minerals in the water, use of a reverse osmosis system in the home may not be a healthy choice.

[bertoni]

Personally, I think you'd have to have a rather poor diet for the water to make much difference.

[PurdueWaterGuy]

Back in the 80's I visited a semiconductor fab (that shall remain nameless) where they had an 18.2 MegOhmcm water tap feeding their Mr Coffee. People came from all over the plant to buy coffee by the cup. I imagine the heater in the coffee maker would have killed any stray bacteria, and the coffee beans donated enough minerals to protect the drinkers from any harmful effects.

It's not that I am endorsing the consumption of ultrapure water, but history demonstrates that with the proper re-mineralization it can be quite yummy.

Not unlike the practice of making DI water to mix with salt to make the best artificial seawater.

[goochesfish]

the Filter guys has excellent customer service. I just hooked up a unit under the kitchen sink. the RO goes to a 3 gallon tank and the DI goes to my top off reservoir. I grew up on culligan RO and we are all fine.

[bertoni]

To Reef Central

Interesting input for a Mr Coffee.

[PurdueWaterGuy]

Thanks for the animated welcome!

Keep in mind that under counter, line pressure RO's can only reject about 90% of the ionic load present in the feed water, leaving it more palatable for human consumption.

A properly designed, high-pressure, industrial RO can achieve rejection rates as high as 99.5%, necesssitating some sort of dosing or add-back of minerals before you drink it or bottle it for the vending machine or office cooler.

Never did find out what how long the heater element lasted in that Mr Coffee.......