ro/di unit help

[sk8shorty01]

Hello all,
I am looking at getting an RO/DI unit here within the next couple of weeks and I have been looking and have been researching and I am just still not sure if what I am looking at is a decent one or not. There are two different units I was looking at and didnt know which was the better unit overall. I would post links but I dont think I can so if someone that has some knowledge of ro/di units could pm me so I could send the specs and get some help. Thanks guys, I hope someone out there will be able to help me out because I dont want to buy something and regret it later on... Have a great one!

 

[al mc]

If you 'google' the words 'typhoon reverse osmosis' you may find a link to where many people find excellent RO/DI units. I have one from that site and another from a company named Apec that you might also google for more info
by searching for apec reverse osmosis. Both work well.

Swf.com I am sure has very fine units as well.

 

[sk8shorty01]

Thank you very much for the information. I have found a few that I believe are good, could I pm you the specs and get your opinion?

 

[al mc]

Sure...no problem. I am not a 'tech/spec' guy, just know what has worked well for me and others. There are several real good tech people that look at posts regularly ..a couple that come to mind are SCSInet and Acrylic.

 

[sk8shorty01]

Well I just want to make sure that if I buy one of these I am going to be getting everything I need really. I dont know much about them, even with the month or so of research so I am not absolutely sure that I am getting something that will work for me. I have a 55g reef tank that I am starting and I have a 220g aggressive tank that is a little more forgiving...

 

[al mc]

Of the two you are contemplating I would go with the first one..'mels'

 

[sk8shorty01]

Thank you very much, is there any reason why that one is better in your opinion??? I am trying to learn as I go so I dont have to ask all of these questions the next time around haha!

 

[al mc]

I know the one unit well and not the other. I know the one we are talking about is a good unit and a good value. Since I am not a 'spec/tech' person that is the best I can do.

 

[sk8shorty01]

Ok thanks a lot for your help... I will definitely take that into consideration, at least now I have something to go off of. I just thought the other one might be a good deal because it was a 6 stage as opposed to the 5 stage. Again thanks, and if anyone else would like to chime in let me know haha. The more help the better.

 

[al mc]

I can help with the five stage versus six......As long as you have a sediment
filter, 'charcoal' fliter, a semipermeable membrane (the RO) filter and a DI
filter that is all you need IMHO. I actually have 4 units. You have gone about it the right way. My first was a cheap unit that did not have a DI, just RO and I was unhappy with it (did not do my research). My other three all work well. One is a 6 stage (got as a gift from my wife) and the other two are 5 stage. I can not tell the difference in the water quality..These three units are all from one of the google sites ...

Just my thoughts. Good luck with your decision!

 

[sk8shorty01]

Thanks a lot... I also noticed on that 6 stage that I sent you it says that the water quality will go from about 300 ppm regular tap to about 20-30ppm after the ro, and finally it says from 3-0.01ppm after di. Is this the norm?? I thought that there should be 0ppm after the ro/di, isnt that the purpose of it??? Just wondering.

 

[al mc]

My TDS meter after the DI stage just after filter change is always 0 ppm. I change filters (sediment/charcoal/DI) every 6-8 months or when the TDS meter reads 10...whichever is first. I have yet to change the semipermeable
RO filter..it has been about 2 years for each that I am using.
To answer your question (sorry)....The goal for the RO filter is to filter out a minimum of 90-95%(mine usually do better than that with my 'city water') of materials in the water..usually the DI will get out the remainder.

 

[nietzsche]

google "the filter guys" brand of ro/di systems. i bought one and its great. takes my 700-800ppm tap water to 10-14ppm RO and then RO/DI to 0ppm. im happy with it and their service

 

[sk8shorty01]

Originally Posted by nietzsche
google "the filter guys" brand of ro/di systems. i bought one and its great. takes my 700-800ppm tap water to 10-14ppm RO and then RO/DI to 0ppm. im happy with it and their service

Do you know which unit you actually purchased? Thanks a lot.

 

[nietzsche]

i purchased the ocean reef + 1. i decided to just save for a good one and it was well worth it

 

[sk8shorty01]

Oh ok... I was looking at the Ocean Wave 5 stage 75 gpd ro/di.... Do you think that is a decent setup for the price? I have a lot of christmas shopping left still so I dont want to spend a lot of money on myself right now, but I really need a unit because it is really hurting my reef to go with tap water, and it kind of sticks having to bring all the jugs back and forth from the LFS.

 

[nietzsche]

i think it is a great unit. you can always email them and theyll get back to you in 24hrs. you can tell them your situation and they can tell you what you might need (not jam it down your throat). i think for the money the ocean reef +1 was worth it. it comes with what you need to hook it up under the sink, the drain valve, membrane flush to prolong the life of the membrane, the PSI guage so you can see the pressure of the water at the time you make it, inline dual tds meter, auto top off in case you ever want to do an ATO youll need to purchase the float valve they sell. the only extra thing i bought was the RO bypass so i can make drinking water for the family. but you could always make that yourself by purchasing some pieces at lowe's
a lot of people that buy from them usually always go with the ocean reef +1

 

[sk8shorty01]

Ok thank you very much. I am glad there are a few people on here that have had a little more knowledge than I because I would be lost without you guys. If there are any other suggestions I will consider them all, I have to decide soon though, so hopefully I have it all picked out so I can get it ordered and shipped. Thanks all!!

 

[sk8shorty01]

Well I think I am going to get the one from the Filter Guys, I think that one looks pretty good for the budget I am on right now considering I have a lot of Christmas shopping to do. Thanks for the help, although if there is another ro/di out there that has some good reviews i would really like to check it out. If anyone else has one that they really like let me know!!! Thanks again everyone!

 

[mikeyjer]

Another good budget RO/DI system would be from air water ice. Good systems!!! Our reef club members just recently did a group order with them, good systems.