RO water question

Steverino · 09/25/2006, 08:14 PM

Trying to figure out the RO water situation, before I actually start filling up my first saltwater tank.

Any commnets/critiques on this system?

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Reef-6st-100...ayphotohosting

Thanks for the input.

bertoni · 09/25/2006, 08:37 PM

The 100 gpd membranes tend to clean the water a lot less than the 75 gpd membranes. The inexpensive units like that one often have low-quality components. I use a Kent Maxxima Hi-S 35 gpd unit that works well. AirWaterIce.com has gotten good reviews for the Typhoon III, if a 75 gpd membrane is substituted.

Waxxiemann · 09/25/2006, 08:40 PM

www.thefilterguys.biz

killer good systems and cheaper than the big names.

Do yourself a favour and get a good one now. I bought a crappy one at first and I hated, it but now I have an awesome one that I love to use.

t5Nitro · 09/25/2006, 08:46 PM

I also just got one from the filter guys, very helpful people to get you to chose a good one and they are fast on shipping. I have the ocean wave 75 GPD one.

123go-fish · 09/26/2006, 06:17 AM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by bertoni
The 100 gpd membranes tend to clean the water a lot less than the 75 gpd membranes. The inexpensive units like that one often have low-quality components. I use a Kent Maxxima Hi-S 35 gpd unit that works well. AirWaterIce.com has gotten good reviews for the Typhoon III, if a 75 gpd membrane is substituted. [/QUOTE

According to Walter @ Air,Water Ice the 100 gpd is not the way to go in reefkeeping . The 100 rejects only 90 % of the tds while the smaller membranes normally reject 96-98 % of the tds.
As far as I know the FilmTec TFC membrane is the only way to go !
www.filmtec.com www.airwaterice.com
Go Fish

Steverino · 09/26/2006, 10:07 PM

That Mighty Mite system of 30-50 gpd looks like it is up my alley. What's your guess on how often do you need to replace the filters if you used about 15 gallons per week for water changes?

AZDesertRat · 09/26/2006, 10:20 PM

The prefilter should be changed every 6 months. The RO membrane about 3 years and the DI is strictly dependent on your tap water condition, how well the membrane works and how much water you make. Its a pretty small DI and kind of expensive since its a throwaway and not refillable but it will probably last a couple of months at 15 gallons per week.
Make sure you get the TDS meter as thats the only way you will know if its working or not.

Steverino · 09/26/2006, 10:30 PM

Do I need the DI unit, or should I look at the RO units from thefilterguys.com? I don't plan to have a full coral-filled reef tank, I am looking at a FOWLR and oneday perhaps slowly adding some hardy basic creature. Are you aware of a good link -either on or off this site, that explains exactly what the optimal water should be for each kind of tank setup, and what the target readings for all of water parameters should be?

AZDesertRat · 09/26/2006, 10:38 PM

The optimal water for any saltwater system is going to be as close to 0 TDS as possible. You will get everything required to sustain life in your salt mix.
I would always recommend an RO/DI over just an RO and I do think it is necessary. RO is only one step in the process and it is not as efficient as DI on some things like nitrates, phosphates and silicates. Its really the combination of carbon, RO and DI that does the trick and none is all that great without the other two.
If it were me and I was on a budget or had limited space I would still look at a full size unit with a refillable DI as it will save you money not only in the long run but actually fairly quickly.
Look at units offered by
www.purelyh2o.com
www.thefilterguys.biz
www.buckeyefieldsupply.com
and
www.spectrapure.com,
in addition to Air Water & Ice.
You should be able to get into a full size unit with refillable DI for about $139 or less. Don't forget the TDS meter too.

Thefilterguys · 09/27/2006, 10:21 AM

You will be much happier in the long run with a 75 GPD system. This is a case of spending a few more dollars up front and you will end up a happy camper. I recommend going with a 75 GPD five stage system with a full sized vertical DI housing.

Jim

09/25/2006, 08:14 PM	#1
Steverino Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: western Chicagoland, IL Posts: 1,114	RO water question Trying to figure out the RO water situation, before I actually start filling up my first saltwater tank. Any commnets/critiques on this system? http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Reef-6st-100...ayphotohosting Thanks for the input.

09/25/2006, 08:37 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	The 100 gpd membranes tend to clean the water a lot less than the 75 gpd membranes. The inexpensive units like that one often have low-quality components. I use a Kent Maxxima Hi-S 35 gpd unit that works well. AirWaterIce.com has gotten good reviews for the Typhoon III, if a 75 gpd membrane is substituted. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

09/25/2006, 08:40 PM	#3
Waxxiemann Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 2,364	www.thefilterguys.biz killer good systems and cheaper than the big names. Do yourself a favour and get a good one now. I bought a crappy one at first and I hated, it but now I have an awesome one that I love to use. __________________ "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe." Albert Einstein

09/25/2006, 08:46 PM	#4
t5Nitro Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 4,384	I also just got one from the filter guys, very helpful people to get you to chose a good one and they are fast on shipping. I have the ocean wave 75 GPD one. __________________ ATI T5 club Current Tank Info: Left the hobby, looking to re-enter in the future

09/27/2006, 10:21 AM	#10
Thefilterguys RC Sponsor Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Duluth, Mn Posts: 553	You will be much happier in the long run with a 75 GPD system. This is a case of spending a few more dollars up front and you will end up a happy camper. I recommend going with a 75 GPD five stage system with a full sized vertical DI housing. 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

09/26/2006, 06:17 AM	#5
123go-fish Moved On Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 14	[QUOTE]Originally posted by bertoni The 100 gpd membranes tend to clean the water a lot less than the 75 gpd membranes. The inexpensive units like that one often have low-quality components. I use a Kent Maxxima Hi-S 35 gpd unit that works well. AirWaterIce.com has gotten good reviews for the Typhoon III, if a 75 gpd membrane is substituted. [/QUOTE According to Walter @ Air,Water Ice the 100 gpd is not the way to go in reefkeeping . The 100 rejects only 90 % of the tds while the smaller membranes normally reject 96-98 % of the tds. As far as I know the FilmTec TFC membrane is the only way to go ! www.filmtec.com www.airwaterice.com Go Fish

09/26/2006, 10:07 PM	#6
Steverino Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: western Chicagoland, IL Posts: 1,114	That Mighty Mite system of 30-50 gpd looks like it is up my alley. What's your guess on how often do you need to replace the filters if you used about 15 gallons per week for water changes?

09/26/2006, 10:20 PM	#7
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	The prefilter should be changed every 6 months. The RO membrane about 3 years and the DI is strictly dependent on your tap water condition, how well the membrane works and how much water you make. Its a pretty small DI and kind of expensive since its a throwaway and not refillable but it will probably last a couple of months at 15 gallons per week. Make sure you get the TDS meter as thats the only way you will know if its working or not.

09/26/2006, 10:30 PM	#8
Steverino Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: western Chicagoland, IL Posts: 1,114	Do I need the DI unit, or should I look at the RO units from thefilterguys.com? I don't plan to have a full coral-filled reef tank, I am looking at a FOWLR and oneday perhaps slowly adding some hardy basic creature. Are you aware of a good link -either on or off this site, that explains exactly what the optimal water should be for each kind of tank setup, and what the target readings for all of water parameters should be?

09/26/2006, 10:38 PM	#9
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	The optimal water for any saltwater system is going to be as close to 0 TDS as possible. You will get everything required to sustain life in your salt mix. I would always recommend an RO/DI over just an RO and I do think it is necessary. RO is only one step in the process and it is not as efficient as DI on some things like nitrates, phosphates and silicates. Its really the combination of carbon, RO and DI that does the trick and none is all that great without the other two. If it were me and I was on a budget or had limited space I would still look at a full size unit with a refillable DI as it will save you money not only in the long run but actually fairly quickly. Look at units offered by www.purelyh2o.com www.thefilterguys.biz www.buckeyefieldsupply.com and www.spectrapure.com, in addition to Air Water & Ice. You should be able to get into a full size unit with refillable DI for about $139 or less. Don't forget the TDS meter too.