RO/DI Question

[GregAW]

Can anyone tell me if this is a good RO/DI system?AQUA REEF RO DI REVERSE OSMOSIS WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM and is $132.00 a good price?

[Amphiprion]

That is not a good unit--the configuration make it sub-par. If you want much better quality water for your money, then I'd look into the units found at air water ice, melevsreef, the filter guys, and buckeye field supply. They only cost a bit more for a much better product. If you want even higher quality water with longer filter life, look into the .2 micron absolute rated sediment filter at buckeye and the semiconductor-grade DI resins at the filter guys. Most of the units on these sites also come with a TDS meter--something you'll REALLY need.

[GregAW]

Thanks for the advice. Now, tell me which I should get. LOL :)

[Piperspop]

Thanks for the advice. Now, tell me which I should get. LOL :)

I would, depending on your size, go as much gallons per day as you can afford. Around $150.00 will get you a 5 Stage RO/DI, 75 GPD. I bought one from Bulk Reef Supply, and it came with the TDS meter.

[GregAW]

Well, as for size, the tank is an empty 90 gal bow front. I plan on putting in a deep sand bed of about 6" and then live rock, about 100 lbs. My home is already equipped with a whole house filter system, maybe I should just have the water tested before I add something I may not need.

[Amphiprion]

I would shoot for the 75 gpd, simply because of the enhanced rejection rate, which in the end translates into longer lasting resins. In all, it ends up saving you money. Any of the units on those sites work, but I like a specific combination of filters, membranes, and resins.

Prefilter: .2 micron absolute from BFS
Carbon: Matrixx .6 micron "chlorine guzzler" rated @dechlorinating 20,000 gal
Membrane: Dow FilmTek 75 gpd rated at 98% rejection rate (spectrapure.com actually hand tests these @ 98%+, so there's another great site for you to choose from, but pricier)
Resin: non-color changing semiconductor grade resin

That's the array I prefer and has lasted me for quite some time. The membrane and resins (I have 2 inline resins) have lasted for almost two years now and show no signs of slowing down.

[GregAW]

Have you got a photo of your system?

[Amphiprion]

No, but I can get one tomorrow and also find the same setup on the internet. My actual setup is the Typhoon III from www.airwaterice.com, basically with the above customized filters, resins, and membranes. Beyond that, I also added another DI canister.

http://www.reeftanksupply.com/images/typhoon_111_340kb.jpg

Basically, an extra canister on the left of this picture.

[GregAW]

Great!! I'll be waiting to see what you actually ended up with and links to those parts. I'll be running an independent water and electrical lines for the aquarium.

[Amphiprion]

I can give you the links in the meantime.

Sediment filter (http://www.buckeyefieldsupply.com/showproducts.asp?Category=132&Sub=130) (first on page)

Carbon block #1 and carbon block #2 (http://www.thefilterguys.biz/filters.htm) (.5 micron 10,000 gal then the .6 20,000 gal--already filtered to .2 by sediment, so I use the gallon rating to decide positioning)

RO membrane (http://www.buckeyefieldsupply.com/showproducts.asp?Sub=153&showspecials=153) (75 gpd)

Semiconductor grade resin (http://www.thefilterguys.biz/di_resin.htm) (x2--last two on page)

These are the cheapest prices (mostly) for the parts mentioned.

Actual unit purchased HERE (http://www.airwaterice.com/product/1TYPHOONIII/TYPHOON_III_AQUARIUM_RO_DI_75_or_100_GPD.html)

[chefjamesscott]

http://www.spectrapure.com/St_osmo_p3.htm i picked up this today the sp2000-180

is that a good unit