Recommended Ro-Di unit?

[mikelush78]

I have been battling hair algae for 4 months and got it under control somewhat but I am thinking I should go with an ro-di unit even though my LFS does not use one and they are right down the road.

I am not sure which to get make model.... any suggestions... cheaper the price and best results is what I would like...

Thanks

 

[Crown Royal]

I use an Aquasafe unit off of Ebay.

There are many others out there, but what you should look for to my understanding is a genuine Dow RO membrane that is rated to a maximum of 100 gpd. 75 gpd membranes are ideal but harder to find.

Also look for 5-stage units that have 3-sediment filters - the RO - then the DI.

There are others options such as storage tanks, faucets and TDS meters, etc., but the heart of the system is the RO membrane.

 

[no_sugar]

I recently purchased a coralife rodi setup. It was easy to set up and get running. Its got a micron filter, then a carbon block, followed by the ro membrane and then a di filter. In my opinion the only thing its missing is a TDS meter. I would like to get one for it so that I have a visual constantly rather than having to check the water occasionally. Total cost with the plumbing and all was under 300US.

 

[fsn77]

Browse some of the RO/DI units on these websites before you buy one from anyplace. You'll get an idea of costs and features.

http://airwaterice.com/
http://www.thefilterguys.biz/
http://www.purelyh2o.com/

DOW Filmtec 75 gpd membranes are not hard at all to come by. You'll be better off with a 75 gpd RO membrane as it has a higher rejection rate (removes a greater percentage of stuff) than a 100 gpd membrane. In turn, the DI resin will last longer, you'll buy resin less often, and save a little bit of money in the long run.

It is better to pick a unit with a verticle DI chamber, as there have been reports of issues with horizontal DI chambers. Regardless, the vertical DI chamber allows for easier replacement of the resin (my opinion), as it's available in pre-filled cartridges or as loose resin that you can use to refill a refillable cartridge. The DI resin can be bought in bulk, which is another opportunity to save some money over time.

Having your own TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) meter is very handy, but not entirely necessary from the start if the budget is tight. It will help you keep track of how well your RO/DI unit is performing and is a more reliable way to know the DI resin is exhausted than waiting for it to change colors.

I would, however, recommend having a pressure gauge. I've found it very useful to have one installed just prior to the RO membrane (ie after the prefilter cartridges) since it allows me to monitor the water pressure getting to the RO membrane itself. This means I can tell by the pressure readings if my prefilter cartridges are clogging.

Good luck!