RO/DI brand: No matter? All equal quality?

[mr. angelfish]

I am now in process to shop for RO/DI for my soon-to-set up my aquarium. I have shop around ---- and see the price range from 70's to 350's. I am considering to get the one as it is selling for 120-250's range. I question whether prices at 70-90 range would function well as "$300+ brands" would done the same?
Please help share us the RO/DI brand-recommendations?
UV sterlization in RO/DI system recommend? (Really necessary?)
I am more interested in low maintancee-cost, long run, and efficiently system.
Many Thanks!

 

[calvindo]

i purchased mine on ---- for $120. works just fine...

 

[bobbravo2]

me too! 125 TDS tap water down to 0! Great system, awesome service, aquasafecanada is a great seller. I strongly recommend it...A+++

 

[gatorcsm]

The airwaterice is a great unit for price and quality of the system. For the most part, all of the units function the same and give the same end result, it's just the quality of the pieces/parts used.

 

[naturelover]

If you do a search here you would see many use Typhoon III from airwaterice. I have same unit 75gpd. It is worth for the money.

 

[daniel411]

I believe almost all the ro/di units have the membrane made by the same company. So there shouldn't be to much difference besides pre-filters, part quality, etc.

 

[powdertoastman]

if you want to save a ton of money, just go to the store and get RO water from the huge water mechine, its like 25cents a gallon. thats what we do and works just fine, been doing it for 6 months now and no problems

 

[gatorcsm]

Daniel.. Part quality isn't referring to necessarily the membrane, resin, or even the pre-filters. What I was referring to was the use of the flush valves, the RO only, the nice push-in connections. The overall 'quality/workmanship' of the equipment.
Quality can come into play with the other pieces/parts, however. IE. Some RO/DI do not use carbon block filters, they simply use carbon media. In regards to DI resin, there can be a large difference in your low quality to high quality resin. Lower the quality, the less measures have been taken to remove all 'partial' beads, or those that have been damaged in manufacture or storage. These pieces, or the 'fines' can carry over into your final product of water, depending on the size of the DI filters outlet catch (for lack of a better word).
But since in the long run, all media, membranes and resin (which is supplied by many different sources) accomplish the same final job, I was simply stating that the best overall construction and utility features (value-added) for the price is the AirWaterIce unit.
There are cheaper ones out there that will accomplish the same task, but they do not have the same quality of plumbing or pre-filters, atleast not necessarily.
As a last not on AirWaterIce, if all were created exactly equal, you will NEVER find any RO/DI manufacturer with better customer service. Walter provides outstanding customer service.
Gator