RO+DI or RO enuff?

renouart · 05/31/2006, 07:17 PM

I am setting up my first saltwater tank (45g) and have a couple of questions about what water to use. I am convinced that water out of the tap (out of my well) would not be a great idea for a great aquarium, but do I really need to go RO+DI, or is RO alone sufficient. Secondly, I was looking at the Coralife Pure-Flo systems, which were sold by my LFS. Are these good ones to go with? Lastly, what kind of water pressure is needed to run these? Their info says 60PSI is optimum, but being off a well, I run around 40PSI - is that sufficient, or do I need to get a system with a pump? Thanks for the help!

Shooter7 · 05/31/2006, 07:23 PM

To Reef Central

Definitely RO/DI. I got mine through airwaterice.com and they have been great people to deal with. Sorry, I don't know enough about the units to answer your other questions.

puffer21 · 05/31/2006, 07:24 PM

To Reef Central
well i would get a RO/DI but that is just me it gives you better water.

AZDesertRat · 05/31/2006, 07:30 PM

RO/DI units that use the Dow Filmtec 75GPD RO membrane are designed to operate at 50 psi. They will work at 40 but produce water slower.
I would highly suggest looking at
www.airwaterice.com
www.purelyh2o.com
www.buckeyefieldsupply.com
and
www.thefilterguys.biz
All use real Dow Filmtec membranes, offer excellent customer service and technical support and build nice plug and play units.
I also recommend RO/DI over just RO, water is the most important thing in your aquarium so why not provide the best quality you possibly can so your critters have a better chance of survival.

renouart · 05/31/2006, 07:41 PM

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I guess I was leaning towards RO/DI, but just looking for some independent support. This will definately get me on the right track!

chewbaca5000 · 05/31/2006, 08:00 PM

Make sure to check ebay as well before you buy a unit. I got mine there and am completely satisfied. I got a 6 stage RO/DI with an extra set of filters for $81. Just a thought =)

Bryan

AZDesertRat · 05/31/2006, 08:06 PM

You have to watch what you get on e-bay. Most do not use Dow Filmtec RO membranes, some even use Chinese membranes not even ANSI/NSF approved for drinking water in the USA. Most use a cheap hollow tube and call it a DI filter and not a vertical canister refillable cartridge true DI filter that holds up to 24 ox of resin. Most use cheap prefilters and carbons, some even use GAC intended for drinking water and not reefs.
Buyer beware, what looks like a good deal usually isn't. You end up spending much more to upgrade it to where it should have been to begin with if you had bougfht a quality unit to begin with.

05/31/2006, 07:17 PM	#1
renouart Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Connecticut Posts: 91	RO+DI or RO enuff? I am setting up my first saltwater tank (45g) and have a couple of questions about what water to use. I am convinced that water out of the tap (out of my well) would not be a great idea for a great aquarium, but do I really need to go RO+DI, or is RO alone sufficient. Secondly, I was looking at the Coralife Pure-Flo systems, which were sold by my LFS. Are these good ones to go with? Lastly, what kind of water pressure is needed to run these? Their info says 60PSI is optimum, but being off a well, I run around 40PSI - is that sufficient, or do I need to get a system with a pump? Thanks for the help!

05/31/2006, 07:23 PM	#2
Shooter7 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tolono, IL Posts: 6,754	*To Reef Central* Definitely RO/DI. I got mine through airwaterice.com and they have been great people to deal with. Sorry, I don't know enough about the units to answer your other questions. __________________ Dave Current Tank Info: 10 years salty - standard 29g reef - moved from 120 gal reef, 2x250w Reeflux 10k's on ARO electronics and VHO super actinics on Icecap ballast, 2xTunze 6060, MSX 200 skimmer, GEO 612 Ca reactor, mag 12 return

05/31/2006, 07:24 PM	#3
puffer21 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,006	*To Reef Central* well i would get a RO/DI but that is just me it gives you better water. __________________ I have never been one for guidelines Current Tank Info: 20g Turtle Tank and 58g OC Ultimate Reef :)

05/31/2006, 07:30 PM	#4
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	RO/DI units that use the Dow Filmtec 75GPD RO membrane are designed to operate at 50 psi. They will work at 40 but produce water slower. I would highly suggest looking at www.airwaterice.com www.purelyh2o.com www.buckeyefieldsupply.com and www.thefilterguys.biz All use real Dow Filmtec membranes, offer excellent customer service and technical support and build nice plug and play units. I also recommend RO/DI over just RO, water is the most important thing in your aquarium so why not provide the best quality you possibly can so your critters have a better chance of survival.

05/31/2006, 07:41 PM	#5
renouart Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Connecticut Posts: 91	Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I guess I was leaning towards RO/DI, but just looking for some independent support. This will definately get me on the right track!

05/31/2006, 08:00 PM	#6
chewbaca5000 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 17	Make sure to check ebay as well before you buy a unit. I got mine there and am completely satisfied. I got a 6 stage RO/DI with an extra set of filters for $81. Just a thought =) Bryan

05/31/2006, 08:06 PM	#7
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	You have to watch what you get on e-bay. Most do not use Dow Filmtec RO membranes, some even use Chinese membranes not even ANSI/NSF approved for drinking water in the USA. Most use a cheap hollow tube and call it a DI filter and not a vertical canister refillable cartridge true DI filter that holds up to 24 ox of resin. Most use cheap prefilters and carbons, some even use GAC intended for drinking water and not reefs. Buyer beware, what looks like a good deal usually isn't. You end up spending much more to upgrade it to where it should have been to begin with if you had bougfht a quality unit to begin with.