I'm going to break open my piggy bank and buy a RO/DI system so that I can eliminate the source of my hair algae problems in my zoo/paly tank. Anyone have any recommendations for a good unit that works well and won't cost me an arm and a leg?
Best RO/DI Bang for the Buck?
- Thread starter Nolapete
- Start date
There are plenty of great units out there. I personally use a Typhoon III 5-stage 75 gpd from AirWaterIce.com. Other great units are Ocean Reef +1, 5 stage 75 gpd from thefilterguys.biz; the Optima series (like the Optima Professional) from purelyh20.com; and the units from melevsreef.com. All of those are my first choices for the RO/DI unit configurations. All of these run ~170-210 dollars. Some extras I recommend (note that most of the above units come with these) is a dual TDS meter and a pressure gauge. These will allow you to see if your prefilters are clogged and to determine if your membrane or your resin is going bad. Other things you will want are an automatic shutoff valve and float valve to keep things from flooding--these are also necessary for certain automatic top-off configurations.
Do I really need something rated for 75gpd? I'm only going to be using it for my 40 breeder.
I'll probably use it for my freshwater tanks to make the tap water a little less harsh by diluting it, but I don't really see the need to use it exclusively for that.
I'll probably use it for my freshwater tanks to make the tap water a little less harsh by diluting it, but I don't really see the need to use it exclusively for that.
I understand not wanting to get 75gpd, but you see, the membranes used on those are Dow Filmtec membranes. These membranes are cheaper than many of the others on the market but have a 98%+ rejection rate. It is hard to get that elsewhere for the price. Besides that, there will be a point in time where you wished you had more water or purchased a unit that made more. I even say that about my 75gpd unit for my 75 gallon tank.
I encourage folks not to worry to much about the fact that they will rarely (except when originally filling their tank) need the full 150, 100, 75, or 50 gpd from membranes. Just remember that a 75 gpd will make water 1.5 times quick than a 50 gpd, for instance, regardless of the amount you need.
Russ
Russ
Glad to see you on the boards, Russ. I actually forgot to mention you guys at the time I was posting. I personally like the .2 micron pleated filters BFS sells.
