RO/DI unit from Walmart?

[SeeCrabRun]

I know it may not be the best place to look but has anyone found a good system at Walmart? Just received a gift card to there and we never shop there but I am thinking about a RO/DI system.

[sirreal63]

Things to buy at ChinaMart...nothing. Re-gift the card, you cannot really trust anything from that place. If they had an RO/DI I would never trust it to perform well enough for my tank.

[bdevillier]

Use it to buy things you can use on your tank if you don't have them already. I.E. turkey baster, meat thermometer, scale for weighing salt, silicone pot holders to put under pumps, dosing containers, etc.

[mcgyvr]

BEER.. beer.. and more BeeR
assuming "super walmart"

[SeeCrabRun]

Meat thermometer? For checking the fish's temp when it's sick?

I knew it was unlikely but figured I'd ask. I know I can use it for gas at their pumps, and beer.

[mcgyvr]

well actually they do have some and i wouldn't have any problem getting one if it was free..
http://www.walmart.com/c/kp/reverse-...ration-systems
if you get this you need to add a DI stage and check valve to keep the pressure tank from feeding back into the di.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Watts-Prem...aucet/20658068

[slief]

I wouldn't even consider one from there let alone anything for my tank that came from there. Regardless of what people say, not all RODI systems are the same. I have an expensive SpectraPure RODI that gives me 1 gallon of 0 TDS water to 1 gallon of waste water. My tap water is well over 300 TDS on average and I get over 1000 gallons of 0 TDS water before I have to change any cartridges. When I do have to change a cartridge, it's usually only 1 of the DI cartridges. The other last me MUCH MUCH longer. The point is, if you skimp on that piece of equipment, you will more than pay for it with frequent cartridge changes.

Here is a very interesting article from Marine Depot. While this has nothing to do with RODI's, I think it has some very valid points with regards to long term success in this hobby. After being in this hobby for over 25 years, I think it brings up many very good points that are worth consideration when making critical hardware acquisitions for your system. I've learned that cutting corners only costs me more in the end. As such, there are no compromises when it comes to my tanks.

http://blog.marinedepot.com/2014/07/...-supplies.html

[SeeCrabRun]

Usable to waste ratio matters a lot to me. I just read elsewhere the cheaper systems I was considering put out only 15-20% of usable to waste...

I planned to install this for drinking water plus DI.

[sirreal63]

Stick with SpectraPure, nobody makes a better system for the price. After having used too many lesser systems, I only use the stuff for my RO/DI, it ends up being cheaper in the long run.

[AcroporAddict]

BRS has much better prices. Look at their 75 gpd 5 stage RODI.....$169. The Wally World prices are much higher.

[azjohnny]

I just read elsewhere the cheaper systems I was considering put out only 15-20% of usable to waste

That's not too far off of the 4/1 bad water/good water ratio. You could go to a 3/1 if your feed water is low TDS or soft. Its the rejection ratio that helps to keep the membrane clean.


Home Depot also sells the Watts filters, there are much higher quality systems out there for the same price or cheaper

The best bang for buck system is the Spectrapure Refurbed 4 stage for $125 and don't let the refurbed name scare you, they are in brand new condition
http://spectrapure.com/FACTORY-REFUR...PD-RODI-System


My 1st decent system was the Spectrapure Refurbed 4 stage, which I have sold and now have a Spectrapure Maxcap 5 stage with a manual flush which I am very happy with. Spectrapure does have a RO/DI that has a 1/1 rejection ratio but its expensive ( $900)
http://spectrapure.com/AQUARIUM/RO-D...D-RO-DI-System


I use a 3 way valve to make drinking water

[mcgyvr]

Originally Posted by AcroporAddict

BRS has much better prices. Look at their 75 gpd 5 stage RODI.....$169. The Wally World prices are much higher.

Make sure you are comparing apples to apples..
169 is NOT a drinking water system with faucet/pressure tank,etc..

Not saying walmarts prices are any better than whats out there.. But its NOT "much higher".. And when you have a gift card its worth it to buy that and add a DI stage..

BRS drinking system is $229 (with DI)

[Buckeye Hydro]

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

well actually they do have some and i wouldn't have any problem getting one if it was free..
http://www.walmart.com/c/kp/reverse-...ration-systems
if you get this you need to add a DI stage and check valve to keep the pressure tank from feeding back into the di.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Watts-Prem...aucet/20658068

I believe WATTs brand membranes are spec'ed at 65 psi...

[Buckeye Hydro]

Originally Posted by SeeCrabRun

Usable to waste ratio matters a lot to me. I just read elsewhere the cheaper systems I was considering put out only 15-20% of usable to waste...

I planned to install this for drinking water plus DI.

I feel like a broken record on this, but...

The ratio of purifed water ("permeate") to waste water ("concentrate") has nothing to do with the cost of the system. You can change this ratio on ANY system to whatever you'd like, by changing a $4 part - the flow restrictor.

If you go below a 4 to 1, be aware of the implications before you do it.

Russ

[SeeCrabRun]

That's OK. I moved on from the idea of getting it at Walmart. Bought a nice foot massager instead

[asudavew]

Originally Posted by SeeCrabRun

That's OK. I moved on from the idea of getting it at Walmart. Bought a nice foot massager instead

And look at all the trouble you stirred up.