RO v/s RO/DI

brianrish

brianrish

Member
Hello,
I just found what seems to be a very nice RO unit at a local home improvement store, and was wondering what the difference between RO and RO/DI is. I believe this unit is only RO becasue it said nothing about being DI also.
What exactly does the DI do for the water, and will I be sorry if I get a RO unit without DI. This unit costs $197. Anyone know of better units that sell for less that include DI?
I attached a picture of the unit.
This is what the box says: "Premier 5 Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Purification System"
And more from the box:
Point-of-use under counter filtration system for drinking and cooking
Sediment and carbon/thin film membrane filter
6 month filter life on sediment and carbon prefilters, 2-5 years on thin film membrane
NSF tested and verified
High production thin film composite membrane
3 gallon storage tank
State-of-the-art in water purification
Reduces lead, mercury, copper, barium, cadmium, trivalent chromium, radium, calcium, magnesium, sodium and fluoride

[hr]
It is made for sink use (for purifying the water you drink) and includes a collection tank. It would also be nice since I could actually use the water for myself as well as my fish without any trouble!
What do you all think?
 
dreeves

dreeves

Active Member
The RO portion removed most contaminants from the water. Several ions (negatively and positively charged) can and often do pass through the membrane. These ions, which are thought to be harmless for human consumption, are not so harmless to the marine environment. The Deionization (DI) portion is generally a set of resins which absorb these ions. Of the ions removed are nitrate, phosphate and silicate, the 3 we try to avoid in the marine environment.
As identified above, airwaterandice has a great selection of RO/DI units and really reasonable prices.
 
timsedwards

timsedwards

Active Member
just to also add that although we try to avoud PO4 (Phosphates) they are an important part of phytoplankton production, and silicates (although yes to be avoided) are needed in small amounts in our reefs.
Just thought I would add that,
Tim.
 
tangman99

tangman99

Active Member
You can buy the Typhoon III RO/Di from airwaterice for that price and get everything you need. A very good unit. I definitely recommend getting one with a DI.
 
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