Jumping in the hobby

[Dmize]

Hello Everyone,

I was in the hobby about 20 years ago with a 75 salt, and recently decided to get back in.

Purchased a 120 48x24x24 recently and Im starting to gather all the parts. Man is it more expensive than I remember it 20 years ago... LOL..

Im building out my order from Foster & Smiths;

- Eshopps R-200 refugium
- Hydra 26 x2
- Eheim 3k compact+
- Skimmer (undecided)
- RO Aquatic Life buddy 3 stage

Looking forward to getting this setup and learning about the hobby.

[homer1475]

Take it from someone who uses the RO buddie, don't waste your money. My tap water has a TDS of 35, I'm lucky if I can make 300G before I need to replace the DI stage(in to the DI has a TDS of 1).

Also I can barely make 5 gallons in 3 hours, so 3 dived by 24 is 8, and 5x8= 40gpd not the 75 they claim. And yes my input is around 60 PSI.

For almost the same price you could buy a better unit from BRS or spectrapure.

[cougareyes]

Been using brs ro unit for years, always 0 tds, replacement filters are inexpensive, free shipping. I use the eshopps sumps on both of my tanks, I like them; also have the eheim compacts, good choice. I also use the eshopps skimmers, very good for the price; maybe better if you want to spend more. I was out of the hobby for more than 10 years when I got back into it, another difference I found is I had alot more fatalities and disease than I did before; so definitely quarantine.

[Cliving1]

Good luck, let us know how it turns out!

[jlabeaume]

Originally Posted by homer1475

Take it from someone who uses the RO buddie, don't waste your money. My tap water has a TDS of 35, I'm lucky if I can make 300G before I need to replace the DI stage(in to the DI has a TDS of 1).

Also I can barely make 5 gallons in 3 hours, so 3 dived by 24 is 8, and 5x8= 40gpd not the 75 they claim. And yes my input is around 60 PSI.

For almost the same price you could buy a better unit from BRS or spectrapure.

Just want to reiterate this. I have one too, it's on the floor of my garage. Bought a used BRS and won't look back.

[CStrickland]

Brs, buckeye hydro, and spectrapure all make rodi units that put the buddy to shame for a few dollars more. You'll make that money back in filter replacements the first year.

You can save some money building your own sump. That eshopps refugium isn't doing much that a $30 tank off Craigslist with a few panes of glass glued in to it for dividers can't do.

For lights, rather than the hydra, check out the marsaqua 165w LED's. I have a pair over my 120 and everything's pretty happy. Def ok for starting, but I may add some t5 lights to make the colors pop. You can get a pair of these LED's for less than $200 on eBay, they are very popular.

[chefbill]

Ro buddie is a waste of money and PVC

[PAXpress]

Originally Posted by homer1475

Take it from someone who uses the RO buddie, don't waste your money. My tap water has a TDS of 35, I'm lucky if I can make 300G before I need to replace the DI stage(in to the DI has a TDS of 1).

Also I can barely make 5 gallons in 3 hours, so 3 dived by 24 is 8, and 5x8= 40gpd not the 75 they claim. And yes my input is around 60 PSI.

For almost the same price you could buy a better unit from BRS or spectrapure.

I have a 90 gpd spectrapure and love it. so +1

[Lowefx]

Dmize....where are you located. Lol

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