What to do?

southern wolf

southern wolf

Member
Since I live so far away from a decent fish store I figured one of the main things I need to purchase is a RO unit.
I dont want the low end of the spectrum and I prolly cant afford the high end.
What should I be looking for in a good qualtiy unit? Any suggestions on units?
I think one of the features I would like to have is some sort of auto shutoff. I honestly don't know much about these units. I have noticed that some have 2 canisters, some 3 canisters, and some 4 canisters.
Someone edujamacate me on these things please.
 
tur4k

tur4k

Member
I use a SpecraPure Maxcap RO/DI (90 GPD). I like it. It's a 5 stage unit. The stages are:
.5 Micron Sediment Filter
.5 Micron Carbon Block
90 GPD RO membrane
MaxCap DI
SpecraPure Silica-Buster
I also use a SpectraPure "auto shut-off valve float kit" in my 75 Gallon holding tank for RO water. I'm pretty happy with my setup. It was a little pricy, but it beats hauling water from the fish store.
 
southern wolf

southern wolf

Member
Yeah... I cant haul water from the fish store. It's just toooo far away for regular maintance type stuff. The gas would eat me alive in my 10MPG truck.... add to that the stress of driving in a city where they CANT drive. I'd just soon stay home and make my own.
What should I be looking for in a good RO/DI unit?
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern Wolf http:///t/387827/what-to-do/60#post_3416678
Yeah... I cant haul water from the fish store. It's just toooo far away for regular maintance type stuff. The gas would eat me alive in my 10MPG truck.... add to that the stress of driving in a city where they CANT drive. I'd just soon stay home and make my own.
What should I be looking for in a good RO/DI unit?
Get a 5 stage unit. Before you purchase it, check out what filters cost...the cheap could turn out expensive. You want one where the filters won't cost you an arm and leg to change out.
My well water was so bad that filters would run me to the ground, so I called Culligan water. They do everything and I pay $39.99 each month, for Reverse Osmoses water (Not DI) they installed a little faucet with a TDS meter right at the kitchen sink. I use the water for cooking, drinking, top offs, water changes and filling my new tank. For me that was a good solution. Make sure you can keep up on the filters because otherwise, it's worse than tap.
 
tur4k

tur4k

Member
Captive Purity's, Kent Marine's, and SpectraPure's replacement filters are all interchangeable. This makes it easy to get filters for these brands. It also gives you the flexibility of being able to buy brand name or generic replacement filters.
 
southern wolf

southern wolf

Member
Im currently looking at the TYPHOON III AQUARIUM RODI 75 or 100 GPD . It looks like a replacement filter pack is around 40 bucks for the set. Is this about right... or on the high end for replacements?
 
southern wolf

southern wolf

Member
Is this something you need... or just something nice to have?
plus a built-in pressure gauge, a built-in TDS alarm, a dual in-line TDS meter, a 150 GPD membrane, an upgraded carbon pre-filter, a tubing cutter and a float valve.
Also... is it worth the added $80 in expense for the unit?
 
southern wolf

southern wolf

Member
This could be the deciding factor on tanks.
Will fish store's usually drill a tank and how much does something like that usually cost. I'm not sure I want to try something like that and risk destroying my tank.
I have an idea for a custom wall cabinet for my 52 and I think if I can pull it off it will end up being one heck of a showpiece. I'd love to rebuild my tank to make it deeper, but I really love the way the front is made.
 
sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern Wolf http:///t/387827/what-to-do/60#post_3416719
This could be the deciding factor on tanks.
Will fish store's usually drill a tank and how much does something like that usually cost. I'm not sure I want to try something like that and risk destroying my tank.
I have an idea for a custom wall cabinet for my 52 and I think if I can pull it off it will end up being one heck of a showpiece. I'd love to rebuild my tank to make it deeper, but I really love the way the front is made.
LFS sell tanks. I have found that they are usually NOT willing to drill a tank. First off there is the "this tank could break and we are not responsible" factor. The next factor is the fact that if they drill a tank from you then you are not buying a new tank from them. LOL I know it seems petty but would you want to save someone a bunch of money so they don't have to spend it in your store? I know that I would not, its just not good business. LOL.
I think that your best bet is to look for a reef ready( meaning predrilled for a sump) tank new or used. I think a 75g or a nice 90g would look
awesome.
HTH. Good luck
 
teresaq

teresaq

Active Member
I have the typhoon III but not all that extra stuff you listed. Mine came with a hand held tds meter and I just check my water every once in a while. The filter packs are great. when I bought mine it idnt have the refillable di canister. I accually bought one and now all I have to to is clean it out and add new media.
T
 
sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern Wolf http:///t/387827/what-to-do/60#post_3416734
Is it possible to use a sump without a drilled tank? If so... how would you run the plumbing?
Oh yeah, you can do a sump without drilling the tank. Look in to CPR overflows and stuff like that. I am by no means an expert on them, I have just researched them. They do need lifter pumps to keep the siphon going. Basically you get a siphon going from the tank to the overflow box then plumb that to your sump, then plumb the return back to the tank using something like a spray bar (there are lots of ways to do the return) to get the water back to the tank. The plumbing will be similar to a drilled tank it just the connections will be off the overflow instead of off the bulkhead (bulkhead will be the fitting that goes thru the hole in the tank).
I was looking into doing something very close to what you are doing but I was going to drill the used tank I got myself (used 125g). I was going to order a kit to drill my tank from glass-holes.com (i think that is the address, google to confirm). But when I added everything (cost of tank, cost of drill kit, cost of materials) up the cost was just a little less (like $100) from buying a brand new reef ready tank. When it came down to it I was fine with spending a little extra to get exactly what I wanted and needed. After all you are going to have hundreds of pounds of water in the tank and that glass is the only thing standing in the way of having it leak onto you carper. LOL.
Glad you are getting this figured out before you start. Some people only start asking questions after they have fish in a two day old tank. Best of luck and ask as many questions as you can.
 
sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
And for a RO/DI unit. Check out BRS (bulk reef supply) they have a few different models to choose from. I have the 5 stage plus, that comes with the TDS meter and the rest of the goodies and I think it was under $200.00 to get it to the door. My $.02
 
southern wolf

southern wolf

Member
Thanks for the input.
Yeah... I figure if I am investing this kind of money... I better do my research first before jumping in and wasting alot of $$$ because I did something completely wrong. I just think I really want to use my 52 because of the shape of the tank. I'd love to find a 75 with that shape that is reef ready. Im just glad there are folks here that is willing to help an uneducated n00b like myself.
 
sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
Search around online and on CL for something like your 52g. I have a buddy that has an acrylic like that and his is a 65g but I think that they can do bigger. There is nothing wrong with a standard tank either. LOL You would get a greater water volume in the tank with the basic rectangle shape. But its your tank in your living room so you need to be happy with it. A 90g would be nice, just saying.
 
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