Best RO/DI Unit for $100 or less

ecarrillo046 · 05/12/2017, 12:06 AM

Title says it all, Pretty much have everything prepared to start my reef tank just missing this and a light (thinking of going with AI Prime for my 29 gal)

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mcgyvr · 05/12/2017, 05:06 AM

Source water pressure?
Source TDS?
Chloramines used?
On a well?
What options do you want/need? Dual TDS sensors? ASOV? Booster Pump?

homer1475 · 05/12/2017, 05:18 AM

Under 100$.... Don't think there is a reliable unit under 100$, even used.

I used an aquatic life RO Buddie for a while, while it is under 100$, the cost of replacing DI cartridges over the course of a year will outweigh the initial cost of a decent unit.

In the 2 years I owned it, I replaced the DI canister at least every 3 months at 20$ a crack. I was only making 10G at a time with an incoming tap TDS of only 24ppm.

I have since switched to a unit from BRS and have made well over 500G of water and have yet to change any cartridges.

Breadman03 · 05/12/2017, 07:00 AM

I'm not aware of any under $100 that would be worth it. Spectrapure is a well respected brand that offers a refurbished unit that I think would be your best option. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles, but it would get you rolling nicely for about $125.

http://spectrapure.com/RO-RODI/RODI-...PD-RODI-System

billdogg · 05/12/2017, 08:10 AM

You might also take a look at www.buckeyehydro.com Russ saved me a couple hundred by selling me what I needed, not what I thought I needed

tkeracer619 · 05/12/2017, 10:55 AM

You need to answer mcgyvr's questions prior to purchase or risk chance of getting something that doesn't adequately filter your water.

MakomekTVN · 05/12/2017, 12:33 PM

Since you have a 29g, this http://purelyh2o.com/product/optima-...-ro-di-system/ is a decent rodi for $100.

Gueeto · 05/12/2017, 01:09 PM

I will be setting up a 30-50g reef tank.
I know our water pressure is decent but I have no detailed information for what mcguyver is asking. I am on New Orleans city water. Is there an easy answer to rodi for softies and lps. Y'all think that purerlyh20 will work? If not is there an easy answer for this?

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jason2459 · 05/12/2017, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billdogg

You might also take a look at www.buckeyehydro.com Russ saved me a couple hundred by selling me what I needed, not what I thought I needed

This. Call them up and they will get you just what you need with no hype or over marketing.

Buckeye hydro, spectrapure, and brs are really the only places I get water purification stuff from.

MakomekTVN · 05/12/2017, 01:18 PM

Mcgyvr is asking to much for what OP is ask for, I think he just want a cheap rodi that is best for the money. With 1 micron filter before membrane is good IMO.

jason2459 · 05/12/2017, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gueeto

I will be setting up a 30-50g reef tank.
I know our water pressure is decent but I have no detailed information for what mcguyver is asking. I am on New Orleans city water. Is there an easy answer to rodi for softies and lps. Y'all think that purerlyh20 will work? If not is there an easy answer for this?

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Give buckeye hydro a call and they can help you answer many questions.

*(513) 312-2343

Gueeto · 05/12/2017, 01:22 PM

Great thanks guys!

ecarrillo046 · 05/12/2017, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Source water pressure?
Source TDS?
Chloramines used?
On a well?
What options do you want/need? Dual TDS sensors? ASOV? Booster Pump?

Going to research a bit to be able to answer this well, will get back to you. Also as far as options I need in not going to be to picky. My tank will house two clown fish, anemones, and some hardy corals so as far as options, if it can keep the water quality good enough to house what I want I'm all for it.

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ecarrillo046 · 05/12/2017, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakomekTVN

Mcgyvr is asking to much for what OP is ask for, I think he just want a cheap rodi that is best for the money. With 1 micron filter before membrane is good IMO.

Yea, still a bit rusty on my knowledge on saltwater tank gear. I responded to what he asked though. If you think you could help me out I'd appreciate it.

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ecarrillo046 · 05/12/2017, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason2459

This. Call them up and they will get you just what you need with no hype or over marketing.

Buckeye hydro, spectrapure, and brs are really the only places I get water purification stuff from.

Will definitely give them a call! Hope I don't sound to ignorant on the phone since I know virtually little to nothing about RO systems.

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jason2459 · 05/12/2017, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ecarrillo046

Will definitely give them a call! Hope I don't sound to ignorant on the phone since I know virtually little to nothing about RO systems.

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Don't worry about that. They are very helpful.

tkeracer619 · 05/12/2017, 02:07 PM

Your water looks like it has chloramines. I don't think you are going to get by with a $100 RO system.

mcgyvr · 05/12/2017, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakomekTVN

Mcgyvr is asking to much for what OP is ask for, I think he just want a cheap rodi that is best for the money. With 1 micron filter before membrane is good IMO.

mcgyvr didn't ask enough questions really... only the absolute basics IMO...
dang it.. now mcgyvr is talking in the 3rd person... mcgyvr stop it...

When you ask "best"... One cannot possibly answer that without details..
mcgyvr knows that you could go cheap now and just guess only to spend far more in the life of the product because you didn't pick the right system from the start..
mcgyvr knows this... mcgyvr stop talking like that..

ecarrillo046 · 05/12/2017, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkeracer619

Your water looks like it has chloramines. I don't think you are going to get by with a $100 RO system.

How do do I check what my water has? I can check ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate but no idea how to gauge the rest

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ecarrillo046 · 05/12/2017, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

mcgyvr didn't ask enough questions really... only the absolute basics IMO...
dang it.. now mcgyvr is talking in the 3rd person... mcgyvr stop it...

When you ask "best"... One cannot possibly answer that without details..
mcgyvr knows that you could go cheap now and just guess only to spend far more in the life of the product because you didn't pick the right system from the start..
mcgyvr knows this... mcgyvr stop talking like that..

Will get to you soon mcgyvr : D as soon as I get the info

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d0ughb0y · 05/12/2017, 02:59 PM

try this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-STAGE-REVE...AAAOSwBLlVFBoA

you also need a TDS meter, which you can get from Amazon for about $8.

jstack · 05/12/2017, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homer1475

Under 100$.... Don't think there is a reliable unit under 100$, even used.

I used an aquatic life RO Buddie for a while, while it is under 100$, the cost of replacing DI cartridges over the course of a year will outweigh the initial cost of a decent unit.

In the 2 years I owned it, I replaced the DI canister at least every 3 months at 20$ a crack. I was only making 10G at a time with an incoming tap TDS of only 24ppm.

I have since switched to a unit from BRS and have made well over 500G of water and have yet to change any cartridges.

that is crazy wow I've been using the ro buddy for a year and 4 months still pouring 2 tds out of the original membrane and only replaced the sediment and carbon twice at totaling $30 the di maybe every 6 months. I'm pouring 20 a week for w/c and top-offs I'm quite impressed with my unit my tds pour around 260 tap. even George(coralfish12g)gave the unit a shout-out not many I take advice from mouth might have been the pressure
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7SvggbAte4

riz94107 · 05/12/2017, 03:38 PM

What do folks think of the Marine Depot units? Their "economy" units look fairly attractive...

MakomekTVN · 05/12/2017, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

mcgyvr didn't ask enough questions really... only the absolute basics IMO...
dang it.. now mcgyvr is talking in the 3rd person... mcgyvr stop it...

When you ask "best"... One cannot possibly answer that without details..
mcgyvr knows that you could go cheap now and just guess only to spend far more in the life of the product because you didn't pick the right system from the start..
mcgyvr knows this... mcgyvr stop talking like that..

Ok mr. wise guy and a future wannabe mod, how do you expect a newbie to answer all that question? He only have a 29g and looking for a good rodi for around $100 and you ask him:

Source water pressure?
Source TDS?
Chloramines used?
On a well?
What options do you want/need? Dual TDS sensors? ASOV? Booster Pump?

Isn't kinda overboard?

tkeracer619 · 05/12/2017, 04:05 PM

It's not overboard if he hooks one of these dirt cheap systems up to a municipal supply that will filter out sediment and bacteria (that won't kill his tank) and dumps in a bunch of ammonia and chlorine (that will kill his tank).

OP, a simple way is to go to walmart and get the "Jungle Buddies ammonia test strip" not the 5 in 1 but the ammonia test strips. Test your tap water. It will react to chloramines.

So I just realized there are two people using this thread to buy a cheap RO...

ecarrillo046 - I don't know where you live or who you purchase water from so I cannot suggest IF you have chloramines in your water by looking at the quality report.

Gueeto - you get water from NOLA, you have chloramines.

Chloramines are ammonia and chlorine combined to create a disinfectant that is not easily removed. It takes a lot of activated carbon to break the bond. If you do not break the bond you trash your membrane quickly, you burn DI rapidly, and within short order are producing toxic water out of your filter that will kill your tank. A normal RODI may work for a very short period of time but you will get breakthrough before you know it. Likely within 50 gallons.

05/12/2017, 12:06 AM	#1
ecarrillo046 Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 25	Best RO/DI Unit for $100 or less Title says it all, Pretty much have everything prepared to start my reef tank just missing this and a light (thinking of going with AI Prime for my 29 gal) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

05/12/2017, 05:06 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Source water pressure? Source TDS? Chloramines used? On a well? What options do you want/need? Dual TDS sensors? ASOV? Booster Pump? __________________ Who me?

05/12/2017, 05:18 AM	#3
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	Under 100$.... Don't think there is a reliable unit under 100$, even used. I used an aquatic life RO Buddie for a while, while it is under 100$, the cost of replacing DI cartridges over the course of a year will outweigh the initial cost of a decent unit. In the 2 years I owned it, I replaced the DI canister at least every 3 months at 20$ a crack. I was only making 10G at a time with an incoming tap TDS of only 24ppm. I have since switched to a unit from BRS and have made well over 500G of water and have yet to change any cartridges. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

05/12/2017, 08:10 AM	#5
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	You might also take a look at www.buckeyehydro.com Russ saved me a couple hundred by selling me what I needed, not what I thought I needed __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

05/12/2017, 10:55 AM	#6
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	You need to answer mcgyvr's questions prior to purchase or risk chance of getting something that doesn't adequately filter your water. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

05/12/2017, 07:00 AM	#4
Breadman03 New Old School Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Luzerne County, PA Posts: 3,293	I'm not aware of any under $100 that would be worth it. Spectrapure is a well respected brand that offers a refurbished unit that I think would be your best option. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles, but it would get you rolling nicely for about $125. http://spectrapure.com/RO-RODI/RODI-...PD-RODI-System

05/12/2017, 12:33 PM	#7
MakomekTVN Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 151	Since you have a 29g, this http://purelyh2o.com/product/optima-...-ro-di-system/ is a decent rodi for $100.

05/12/2017, 01:09 PM	#8
Gueeto Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NOLA Posts: 52	I will be setting up a 30-50g reef tank. I know our water pressure is decent but I have no detailed information for what mcguyver is asking. I am on New Orleans city water. Is there an easy answer to rodi for softies and lps. Y'all think that purerlyh20 will work? If not is there an easy answer for this? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Jim Wanamaker Jim.wanamaker@gmail.com

05/12/2017, 01:18 PM	#10
MakomekTVN Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 151	Mcgyvr is asking to much for what OP is ask for, I think he just want a cheap rodi that is best for the money. With 1 micron filter before membrane is good IMO.

05/12/2017, 01:22 PM	#12
Gueeto Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NOLA Posts: 52	Great thanks guys! __________________ Jim Wanamaker Jim.wanamaker@gmail.com

05/12/2017, 02:07 PM	#17
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Your water looks like it has chloramines. I don't think you are going to get by with a $100 RO system. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

05/12/2017, 02:59 PM	#21
d0ughb0y Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: sf bay area Posts: 5,165	try this http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-STAGE-REVE...AAAOSwBLlVFBoA you also need a TDS meter, which you can get from Amazon for about $8.

05/12/2017, 03:38 PM	#23
riz94107 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: San Francisco Posts: 19	What do folks think of the Marine Depot units? Their "economy" units look fairly attractive...

05/12/2017, 04:05 PM	#25
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	It's not overboard if he hooks one of these dirt cheap systems up to a municipal supply that will filter out sediment and bacteria (that won't kill his tank) and dumps in a bunch of ammonia and chlorine (that will kill his tank). OP, a simple way is to go to walmart and get the "Jungle Buddies ammonia test strip" not the 5 in 1 but the ammonia test strips. Test your tap water. It will react to chloramines. So I just realized there are two people using this thread to buy a cheap RO... ecarrillo046 - I don't know where you live or who you purchase water from so I cannot suggest IF you have chloramines in your water by looking at the quality report. Gueeto - you get water from NOLA, you have chloramines. Chloramines are ammonia and chlorine combined to create a disinfectant that is not easily removed. It takes a lot of activated carbon to break the bond. If you do not break the bond you trash your membrane quickly, you burn DI rapidly, and within short order are producing toxic water out of your filter that will kill your tank. A normal RODI may work for a very short period of time but you will get breakthrough before you know it. Likely within 50 gallons. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.