What are the best brands for RO/DI filters?

DC321 · 08/27/2006, 08:44 PM

I have read the RO/DI FAQs and I still have some questions. Also let me say that I really liked the guys from whom I bought the additional items that I recently added, but I am looking for an unbiased opinion so that I can shop around for the replacement supplies.

I have purchased an excellent RO/DI setup for my storage tank. It consists of the following:

-1 micron sediment filter
-8800 Booster pump

-1 micron sediment filter
-1 CHLORAMINE MASTER FILTER ACTIVATED CATALYTIC CARBON
-1 MARTIKX CR1 CARBON BLOCK FILTER
-Dual 75 GPD Filmtec RO membranes
-Dual COLOR CHANGING DI RESIN CARTRIDGE ( I added another after this pic)

I also have the auto shutoff and auto flush system.

My point is, I had a bad water scare and decided to produce my own water from now on, and want to make sure that I get the best filters, while lightening my wallet the least. I do have chloramines in my water, so I need chloramine treatment. I also plan on sticking with the Filmtec membranes due to the 98% rejection rates.

Is there a difference between:

-1 micron poly sediment filters
-10 inch 1 micron carbon block filters
-catalytic carbon for chloramine removal
-MIXED BED COLOR CHANGING DI RESIN

What are the differences of the items below and are they all necessary?
- MARTIKX CTO/2 CARBON BLOCK FILTER
-MATRIKX +CR1 CARBON BLOCK FILTER
-MATRIKX +5 COCONUT SHELL CARBON BLOCK
-MATRIKX +1 CARBON BLOCK FILTER CHLORINE GUZZLER
-MATRIKX + Pb1 CARBON BLOCK FILTER

Also feel free to reassign the filters in my system for optimal performance.

DC321 · 08/28/2006, 01:52 PM

Wow, I thought I had a well thought out, lucid, useful question with pictures and everything, and not one hit.

What a drag. I guess I should ask "Which skimmer should I buy?"

Rekonn · 08/28/2006, 02:05 PM

You have to admit the number of people that can answer your questions is MUCH smaller than the number of people that have opinions on skimmers. Just keep bumping till an expert sees your post, or pm people you've seen offer good RO/DI advice in previous threads.

jdieck · 08/28/2006, 02:17 PM

What you have is almost perfect for what you need. If any the only thing I would change is to rchange the type of the DI cartridges once they are exausted. If your Tap PH is high the Catalitic filter may let some Ammonia pass by so if that is the case I will replace the first DI cartrisge with an Spectrapure Ammonia Removing cartridge followed by replacing the second DI with a Semiconductor Grade Mixed-Bed Resin Cartridge. If your tap water PH is less than 8 I will replace the first mixed bed DI cartridge with a Spectrapure MAXCAP DI cartridge and the second one by a Spectrapure Semiconductor Grade Mixed-Bed Resin Cartridges.

Also taking gadvantage that you have two high rejection membranes depending on how you have your membranes connected you could save about 50% of the waste water with this connection if your tap TDS is 250 ppm or less:

Connect the waste ouput of the first membrane to the inlet of the second membrane. Install a restrictor for a 75gpd membrane in the waste line of the second membrane. Join the two product lines output of both membranes to your product line.

AZDesertRat · 08/28/2006, 04:13 PM

There are big differences between replacement filters even of the same micron range. What you want are filters that are absolute rated and not nominal rated. You pay more but the performance is vastly different.
A good quality 0.5 micron Chlorine Guzzler type carbon block will do as good as or better than granular catalytic carbon for chloramine removal due to its microfine pore size and massive surface area.
There are also huge differences in DI resins, places like Spectrapure blend their own resins and layer them strategically to optimize water quality.
The Spectrapure Sponsors forum might be a good place to ask these questions as they have done a tremendous amount of testing and will only supply the very best based on their findings.

DC321 · 08/28/2006, 06:07 PM

Thanks guys,

I appreciate the answers.
I do have the RO membranes set up in series as you recommended. The reason was because I felt that I was wasting so much water and did not feel like a responsible member of society.

I appreciate that Spectrapure has high quality products. In fact, many parts of my system have come from Spectrapure. Are there any other high quality suppliers that are on the same level?

Thanks.

AZDesertRat · 08/28/2006, 06:25 PM

I would have to say no. There are a few that are very good but no one does the amount of beta testing and research that Spectrapure does. Something of interest, Spectrapure is really interested in taking care of the reef tank hobbyists and has done several things to help us out. One is they now are offerings some very good pricing in the way of group buys to established reef and aquarium clubs. Just have a club officer contact them for information. Another thing is they have redone some of their pricing structure on units that would be of interest to us a group, take a look at the Spectrapure Max Cap RO/DI in the upper right corner of their home page as an example. I bought one of those and its is absolutely amazing and best of all it was about half what I expected to pay. Compare it to the prices on some of their other units and you wil see it is less than some normal drinking water RO systems! www.spectrapure.com
As for other vendors there are a couple I have done business with and/or have spoken with in one way or another and I find they use high quality components plus most are saltwater hobbyists themselves so they know what it takes to builda good unit.

www.airwaterice.com
www.buckeyefieldsupply.com
www.thefilterguys.biz
www.purelyh2o.com

All use Dow Filmtec 75 GPD RO membranes and true refillable DI canisters on their better quality systems and stand behind their products.

No one uses wet membranes like Spectrapure or hand tests each and every select series membrane or beta tests all their pre and carbon filters. Also no one else strategically hand packs and layers each DI cartridge like their MaxCap and Silica Buster cartridges and its those touches that wil give you true 18.2 megaohm semiconductor grade product water gallon after gallon. Yes you pay a little more but for the better quality and extended life its well worth it.

DC321 · 08/28/2006, 07:15 PM

Thanks AZ. That is what I am after.

I have used Buckeye and the Filterguys as well as Spectrapure. I have no problem paying for quality.

I have the system in place, now I have to maximize it. I will be checking e PH of my water and doing some research on the DI stages.

Thefilterguys · 08/28/2006, 07:58 PM

Since the poster is asking about a lot of the products we handle I feel compeled to post. AZ Spectrapure is not the only company who does beta research. We have assembled our product line with a great deal of research and testing. I have spent many hour on the phone with filter and resin manufactures tech support researching just the right product for marine hobbyists. Our filters, resins, and CGAC are of the highest quality we can find. I have had Boomer from the reef chemistry forum in my shop many times as he is one of the most knowledgeable people I know regarding carbon filter media. We are a tiny company by some standards but our products are on the cutting edge. We believe in a quality product at a fair price.

Jim

AZDesertRat · 08/28/2006, 08:02 PM

Jim, Thats why I always include your business in those that I recommend. Being a hobbist and knowing what reefers want and need goes a long way in the RO/DI and water filtration field.

DC321 · 08/28/2006, 08:08 PM

Excellent products from the Filterguys!

carman9941 · 08/29/2006, 10:31 AM

I have to chime in here for the filterguys I placed a order on friday got a email that it was sent on sat and got it on mon, very good packing and the di fills packed my 10" cartrage GREAT SERVICE,and GREAT priceing

Shawnts106 · 08/29/2006, 12:54 PM

Quote:

I do have chloramines in my water, so I need chloramine treatment.

HOLD UP!!!!

WOW, I have a kent RODI too, I bought the one that has 1 30or60GPD, I forget ... membrain, a carbon filter and a thread looking one, I forget all these crazy names... I added another RO membrane and a DIY addon DI cartrige....

I have Hi-S membranes and the DI is the best one they offer.

I DIDNT KNOW I HAD TO TREAT IT FOR CHLORAMINES!!!! I have been useing it for a long time with no problems... but we have chloramines in our water... whats up with this... explain... I though the RODI was suppose to take all that nasty stuff out!!!!

now im freaked out and confused!

Shawnts106 · 08/29/2006, 01:01 PM

OKok ok, this is what I have

The Kent FULL size RO HI-S the 35GPD model, with
CF1M 1 Micron Sediment Filter, CFCE Solid Carbon Block Filter, a Piggyback kit to make 60GPD or something I forget which one...
and an addon DI Hi-S SILICAMAX Cartridge.

what do you think?

AZDesertRat · 08/29/2006, 01:08 PM

Depending on the micron size of your carbon block, prefferably 0.5 or 1 micron, and the fact you have the SilicaMax DI cartridge you should be in good shape. No one thing removes everything so its the combination of carbon, RO nad DI that do the job. None by itself will work.

Shawnts106 · 08/29/2006, 06:46 PM

Ok, so I dont have to worry about Chloramines right?

AZDesertRat · 08/29/2006, 07:32 PM

You should be good but make sure you use a TDS meter on a regular basis to test for DI breakthrough and always change pre and carbon filters at least every 6 months.

Nuuze · 08/29/2006, 09:33 PM

Two thumbs up for filterguys! Been using mine a little over a week now starting with filling my 58 gallon. 134 going in and 0 going out of the TDS!

Thefilterguys · 08/29/2006, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shawnts106
Ok, so I dont have to worry about Chloramines right?

Not trying to sell you anything but for your system I would consider going to a two carbon filter system by adding a housing. With chloramines I don't trust a single carbon system as the filters exhaust much quicker, even with quality filters, then with chlorine. You will not notice exhaustion right away unless your testing as the bio filtration of your system will absorb some chloramines. The problem is eventually you'll overwelm your bio filtration.

Jim

Shawnts106 · 08/30/2006, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Not trying to sell you anything but for your system I would consider going to a two carbon filter system by adding a housing.

Yes, I have considered this much...

its about time for me to change them anyway... been about 6 months or so..

ALSO< I have that SILIMAX HI-S DI cartrige, how do I know when its exhausted... its suppose to show a color change I think? Its suppose to have a built in indicator....

hum...

AZDesertRat · 08/30/2006, 05:21 PM

Don't rely on color change. Use a TDS or conductivity meter.

Thefilterguys · 08/30/2006, 10:05 PM

AZ is right you do need a TDS meter. Color changing resin is a heads up but you need a reading by meter to tell you where your at.

Jim

08/27/2006, 08:44 PM	#1
DC321 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Posts: 685	What are the best brands for RO/DI filters? I have read the RO/DI FAQs and I still have some questions. Also let me say that I really liked the guys from whom I bought the additional items that I recently added, but I am looking for an unbiased opinion so that I can shop around for the replacement supplies. I have purchased an excellent RO/DI setup for my storage tank. It consists of the following: -1 micron sediment filter -8800 Booster pump -1 micron sediment filter -1 CHLORAMINE MASTER FILTER ACTIVATED CATALYTIC CARBON -1 MARTIKX CR1 CARBON BLOCK FILTER -Dual 75 GPD Filmtec RO membranes -Dual COLOR CHANGING DI RESIN CARTRIDGE ( I added another after this pic) I also have the auto shutoff and auto flush system. My point is, I had a bad water scare and decided to produce my own water from now on, and want to make sure that I get the best filters, while lightening my wallet the least. I do have chloramines in my water, so I need chloramine treatment. I also plan on sticking with the Filmtec membranes due to the 98% rejection rates. Is there a difference between: -1 micron poly sediment filters -10 inch 1 micron carbon block filters -catalytic carbon for chloramine removal -MIXED BED COLOR CHANGING DI RESIN What are the differences of the items below and are they all necessary? - MARTIKX CTO/2 CARBON BLOCK FILTER -MATRIKX +CR1 CARBON BLOCK FILTER -MATRIKX +5 COCONUT SHELL CARBON BLOCK -MATRIKX +1 CARBON BLOCK FILTER CHLORINE GUZZLER -MATRIKX + Pb1 CARBON BLOCK FILTER Also feel free to reassign the filters in my system for optimal performance. __________________ There is an island of opportunity in the middle of every difficulty. Miss that and you are doomed. Current Tank Info: 180 SPS Reef

08/28/2006, 01:52 PM	#2
DC321 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Posts: 685	Wow, I thought I had a well thought out, lucid, useful question with pictures and everything, and not one hit. What a drag. I guess I should ask "Which skimmer should I buy?" __________________ There is an island of opportunity in the middle of every difficulty. Miss that and you are doomed. Current Tank Info: 180 SPS Reef

08/28/2006, 02:17 PM	#4
jdieck Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Maumee, OH Posts: 15,673	What you have is almost perfect for what you need. If any the only thing I would change is to rchange the type of the DI cartridges once they are exausted. If your Tap PH is high the Catalitic filter may let some Ammonia pass by so if that is the case I will replace the first DI cartrisge with an Spectrapure Ammonia Removing cartridge followed by replacing the second DI with a Semiconductor Grade Mixed-Bed Resin Cartridge. If your tap water PH is less than 8 I will replace the first mixed bed DI cartridge with a Spectrapure MAXCAP DI cartridge and the second one by a Spectrapure Semiconductor Grade Mixed-Bed Resin Cartridges. Also taking gadvantage that you have two high rejection membranes depending on how you have your membranes connected you could save about 50% of the waste water with this connection if your tap TDS is 250 ppm or less: Connect the waste ouput of the first membrane to the inlet of the second membrane. Install a restrictor for a 75gpd membrane in the waste line of the second membrane. Join the two product lines output of both membranes to your product line. __________________ Did I write what I wrote? What the heck am I talking about! Well..... Nevermind. Current Tank Info: 225 gal reef, DSB, 40 g sump w/ LRT100 return, 37 g pre-sump, 3 MH 250 W 15K, 4 96 W PC dual actinic,ETS 1500 Skim.w/LRT70, 20 lb Ca R., 40 W UV, 1/3 HP chiller, two 350 W Htrs, Neptune II Cont., 330 P LR/ 330 P LS. 55 gal Refugium

08/28/2006, 06:07 PM	#6
DC321 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Posts: 685	Thanks guys, I appreciate the answers. I do have the RO membranes set up in series as you recommended. The reason was because I felt that I was wasting so much water and did not feel like a responsible member of society. I appreciate that Spectrapure has high quality products. In fact, many parts of my system have come from Spectrapure. Are there any other high quality suppliers that are on the same level? Thanks. __________________ There is an island of opportunity in the middle of every difficulty. Miss that and you are doomed. Current Tank Info: 180 SPS Reef

08/28/2006, 07:15 PM	#8
DC321 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Posts: 685	Thanks AZ. That is what I am after. I have used Buckeye and the Filterguys as well as Spectrapure. I have no problem paying for quality. I have the system in place, now I have to maximize it. I will be checking e PH of my water and doing some research on the DI stages. __________________ There is an island of opportunity in the middle of every difficulty. Miss that and you are doomed. Current Tank Info: 180 SPS Reef

08/28/2006, 02:05 PM	#3
Rekonn Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: San Francisco CA Posts: 769	You have to admit the number of people that can answer your questions is MUCH smaller than the number of people that have opinions on skimmers. Just keep bumping till an expert sees your post, or pm people you've seen offer good RO/DI advice in previous threads.

08/28/2006, 04:13 PM	#5
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	There are big differences between replacement filters even of the same micron range. What you want are filters that are absolute rated and not nominal rated. You pay more but the performance is vastly different. A good quality 0.5 micron Chlorine Guzzler type carbon block will do as good as or better than granular catalytic carbon for chloramine removal due to its microfine pore size and massive surface area. There are also huge differences in DI resins, places like Spectrapure blend their own resins and layer them strategically to optimize water quality. The Spectrapure Sponsors forum might be a good place to ask these questions as they have done a tremendous amount of testing and will only supply the very best based on their findings.

08/28/2006, 06:25 PM	#7
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	I would have to say no. There are a few that are very good but no one does the amount of beta testing and research that Spectrapure does. Something of interest, Spectrapure is really interested in taking care of the reef tank hobbyists and has done several things to help us out. One is they now are offerings some very good pricing in the way of group buys to established reef and aquarium clubs. Just have a club officer contact them for information. Another thing is they have redone some of their pricing structure on units that would be of interest to us a group, take a look at the Spectrapure Max Cap RO/DI in the upper right corner of their home page as an example. I bought one of those and its is absolutely amazing and best of all it was about half what I expected to pay. Compare it to the prices on some of their other units and you wil see it is less than some normal drinking water RO systems! www.spectrapure.com As for other vendors there are a couple I have done business with and/or have spoken with in one way or another and I find they use high quality components plus most are saltwater hobbyists themselves so they know what it takes to builda good unit. www.airwaterice.com www.buckeyefieldsupply.com www.thefilterguys.biz www.purelyh2o.com All use Dow Filmtec 75 GPD RO membranes and true refillable DI canisters on their better quality systems and stand behind their products. No one uses wet membranes like Spectrapure or hand tests each and every select series membrane or beta tests all their pre and carbon filters. Also no one else strategically hand packs and layers each DI cartridge like their MaxCap and Silica Buster cartridges and its those touches that wil give you true 18.2 megaohm semiconductor grade product water gallon after gallon. Yes you pay a little more but for the better quality and extended life its well worth it.

08/28/2006, 07:58 PM	#9
Thefilterguys RC Sponsor Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Duluth, Mn Posts: 553	Since the poster is asking about a lot of the products we handle I feel compeled to post. AZ Spectrapure is not the only company who does beta research. We have assembled our product line with a great deal of research and testing. I have spent many hour on the phone with filter and resin manufactures tech support researching just the right product for marine hobbyists. Our filters, resins, and CGAC are of the highest quality we can find. I have had Boomer from the reef chemistry forum in my shop many times as he is one of the most knowledgeable people I know regarding carbon filter media. We are a tiny company by some standards but our products are on the cutting edge. We believe in a quality product at a fair price. Jim __________________ RO/DI Supplies & parts www.thefilterguys.biz We Custom Build Each System Phone 218 724-8000 Current Tank Info: 40 OCEANIC STRETCH HEX FRESH HEAVY PLANTED, 58 OCEANIC LPS, Monti’s ,Softy’s, 18 Nano Zoo’s , 11 Nano, 70 OCEANIC SPS New 200 Cube on the way

08/28/2006, 08:02 PM	#10
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Jim, Thats why I always include your business in those that I recommend. Being a hobbist and knowing what reefers want and need goes a long way in the RO/DI and water filtration field.

08/28/2006, 08:08 PM	#11
DC321 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Posts: 685	Excellent products from the Filterguys! __________________ There is an island of opportunity in the middle of every difficulty. Miss that and you are doomed. Current Tank Info: 180 SPS Reef

08/29/2006, 10:31 AM	#12
carman9941 Premium Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cleveland Posts: 705	I have to chime in here for the filterguys I placed a order on friday got a email that it was sent on sat and got it on mon, very good packing and the di fills packed my 10" cartrage GREAT SERVICE,and GREAT priceing

08/29/2006, 01:01 PM	#14
Shawnts106 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,436	OKok ok, this is what I have The Kent FULL size RO HI-S the 35GPD model, with CF1M 1 Micron Sediment Filter, CFCE Solid Carbon Block Filter, a Piggyback kit to make 60GPD or something I forget which one... and an addon DI Hi-S SILICAMAX Cartridge. what do you think? __________________ Love yourself! NO MATTER WHAT! Current Tank Info: Currently out of the hobby

08/29/2006, 01:08 PM	#15
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Depending on the micron size of your carbon block, prefferably 0.5 or 1 micron, and the fact you have the SilicaMax DI cartridge you should be in good shape. No one thing removes everything so its the combination of carbon, RO nad DI that do the job. None by itself will work.

08/29/2006, 06:46 PM	#16
Shawnts106 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,436	Ok, so I dont have to worry about Chloramines right? __________________ Love yourself! NO MATTER WHAT! Current Tank Info: Currently out of the hobby

08/29/2006, 07:32 PM	#17
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	You should be good but make sure you use a TDS meter on a regular basis to test for DI breakthrough and always change pre and carbon filters at least every 6 months.

08/29/2006, 09:33 PM	#18
Nuuze Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: NorCal, California Posts: 3,550	Two thumbs up for filterguys! Been using mine a little over a week now starting with filling my 58 gallon. 134 going in and 0 going out of the TDS!

08/30/2006, 05:21 PM	#21
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Don't rely on color change. Use a TDS or conductivity meter.

08/30/2006, 10:05 PM	#22
Thefilterguys RC Sponsor Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Duluth, Mn Posts: 553	AZ is right you do need a TDS meter. Color changing resin is a heads up but you need a reading by meter to tell you where your at. Jim __________________ RO/DI Supplies & parts www.thefilterguys.biz We Custom Build Each System Phone 218 724-8000 Current Tank Info: 40 OCEANIC STRETCH HEX FRESH HEAVY PLANTED, 58 OCEANIC LPS, Monti’s ,Softy’s, 18 Nano Zoo’s , 11 Nano, 70 OCEANIC SPS New 200 Cube on the way