About to buy a RO-DI.

[Justin_92_92]

Hey guys,

I have a bad algea issue and I recognize the problem as being me only using tap water. I have alot of green hair algea right now. I am going to get a RO-DI system but I will ned a booster pump as well as I have a well. I was wondering if someone could take a peek at this one I have been looking at to tell me if they think its worth buying. Its cheap ($199) and might be "too good to be true".

5 Stage Reverse Osmosis System 80 GPD Ro Di Booster Pump Clear Housings | eBay


Id like to keep it below $250 with the pump if possible.

 

[AZDesertRat]

While I do use H2oSplash for drinking water RO supplies I use only Spectrapure for reef RO/DI systems and supplies. They have a 90 GPD specially treated and batch tested high rejection rate RO/DI with a 1 micron sediment filter, 1 micron 12,000 gallon carbon block, full size 20 oz vertical refillable DI filled with SilicaBuster reef specific custom blended resin, inline pressure gauge and user adjustable capillary tube flow restrictor for $130. They don't come any better and they have been in business in the same AZ city for almost 30 years andsupport many of the reef forums. There really is a difference.

I am not sure what Splash uses for booster pumps but I know from experience none compares to Aqatec, the oldest name in the business and the 8800 pump, pressure switch and power supply alone are around $140 sothey must not be using them.

 

[Justin_92_92]

Great, You pretty much answered what i was thinking. How could they be so cheap, Poor products is probably the answer. While its cheaper now, I may be spending another $150 on a pump in a month.

I will head over and check out that RO/DI

 

[Justin_92_92]

I checked those systems out and I checked a few others.

I have well water and have been told I dont need a carbon filter and I would be better off having 2 sediment filters and a DI. Not sure how true that is but I like on BulkReefsupply.com how I can customize my system.

[h=2]Build Your Own Reverse Osmosis System[/h] Stage One:5 Micron Sediment Filter Stage Two :1 Micron Sediment Filter Stage Three:Deionization Resin (Color Changing) Stage Four (Membrane):75 GPD (98% Rejection) Stage Five (on it's own bracket):Single DI BRS Review Of Filter Selections:Yes – Will delay your order slightly. Accessories:Dual TDS Meter (DM-1), Pressure Gauge (Oil), 1⁄4" ... Accessories:Dual TDS Meter (DM-1), Pressure Gauge (Oil), 1⁄4" Aquatec 8800 Booster Pump Kit, RO Tube Cutter (Highly Recommended)




This is what I have in my cart for $333 shipped.

If I went spectra pure, I would be just over $400 with about the same items.

Does my setup from Bulk Reef Supply look like it will serve me well?

BTW I really appreciate the help I get from this forums. Im usually just soaking it all up.

 

[JMSKI333]

I purchased my RODI unit from The Filter Guys like 4 years ago and I have had nothing but great water quality and great customer service. Not to mention they are a sponsor of Reef2reef.

I looked on their site and they have a bare bones 5 stage RODI for $160. For $199 you can get the fully loaded 5-stage. I personally have the 6-stage RODI unit from them and I couldn't be happier.

Good luck with your search.

 

[AZDesertRat]

Not the same quality, look at the coarse 5 micron sediment filter and unneeded 5 micron carbon block. All you need is one good low micron sediment filter 1 micron or less and one matched carbon block. Less headloss to the RO membrane that way so better rejection rate and GPD. Everything you add in front of the membrane has an associated cost and headloss. Keep it simple.
Also dry untested off the shelf membranes and off the shelf DI resins versus specially treated and tested high rejection rate RO membranes, up to 99% rejection rate is offered, and custome blended DI resins. There really is a difference.

 

[Justin_92_92]

Really wish they had better shipping rates :/

$43 in shipping is kinda high compared to the rest (free -$20)

 

[Mike J.]

What is the water pressure where you'll be hooking it up? Just wondering why you think a booster pump is necessary? My water pressure is 75 psi, so I don't use a booster pump.

 

[Justin_92_92]

I have a well. So the pressure is something like 30-40

 

[Justin_92_92]

I went with the buckeye hyro. The price was $350 The spectrapure would have been almost $450 in total :( I talked the wife into allowing me to buy the $199 eBay one so both of these were (I mean are going to be) a shock to her lol

Thanks for the I site all and not letting me make the eBay mistake.

 

[AZDesertRat]

you will be very happy with your purchase. Did you spring the extra couple $$ for his tested RO membrane? Its worth the difference.

 

[Justin_92_92]

I didnt see that option anywhere.

 

[AZDesertRat]

If it has not already shipped you might call Russ and upgrade membranes. Even a 1% increase in efficieny will save a ton in DI replacements and costs, a 2% improvemnt cuts your DI usage in half and quickly pays for the membrane.

 

[Justin_92_92]

it shipped already. will be here wednesday. What is a tested membrane? Is that just that they test the output and assure its a certain level? Sorry I am completly new to the RO-Di systems. I googled it but couldnt find my answer(unless it means what I just posted)

 

[AZDesertRat]

History has shown dry off the shelf membranes are usually around 95-96% rejection rate out of the wrapper. By testing the membrane Russ is able to pull out the ones that test in the 98% range so you get a better product and longer DI life. You pay a little extra for the service but it more than returns itself in DI savings in the first year alone.

Spectrapure goes even further. They first specially treat ALL their membranes, no extra charge, then they either batch test the nromal ones like in the refurb systems for quality control or they individually hand test their Select series then go even further still and guarantee them in writing to be 99% rejection rate which extends the DI life even more again. This is one of the reasons I recommend them so highly.

 

[joekool]

I have a 6 stage setup from BRS I really like their setups. Great service. Def get booster pump. Also consider the double membrane upgrade. you will waste hardly any water with the upgrade and you will have water fast. As stated above there are other places to buy just make sure the membranes are good quality and same with filters. Also sediment filters are cheap at BRS I buy 4 at a time because I have to ship.

 

[AZDesertRat]

Dual membrane systems are NOT water savers! If someone sold you one as a wate rsaver they did you a disservice and are not very knowldegable on the subject.

When you add a second membrane you are routing the waste from the first into the second so it is already going to be 20-25% higher TDS than tap was to begin with. It is even more important to keep the waste ratio at 4:1 than with a single membrane. Many have tried this but long term it does not work and the membranes will fail prematurely. this is one of the benefits of Spectrapures 30 years in business, they have demonstrated this time and again and experience counts. You get what you pay for!

 

[diamondreef]

I just bought my boyfriend the Bulk Reef supply 4 stage 75gph Rodi unit and he was so happy. But then when he went to set it up he discovered it was broken sometime during shipment I assume so we emailed brs on a sunday... replied pretty quickly for being closed and sent us a new one with the tds meter included on monday and just got it. Their customer service is awesome and I am confident that if I ever have future issues ( prob not after reading reviews) that they will fix it :) lol just thought I'd share.

 

[CJ7]

I ordered the new Spectrapure MaxCap 2:1 system last week. Waiting on its arrival :)

 

[powdermonkey]

AZDeserRat,
What do you think of the one posted below? It has a 1:1 ratio and an auto membrane flush, what ever that is. I've been thinking about calling them and having them explain it and contemplating upgrading my current spectrapure 5 stage.

* DELUXE ! ULTRA-HIGH-EFFICIENCY ... SpectraPure® MaxCap® UHE 5-Stage Ultra-High Efficiency RO/DI Systems are designed to conserve one of our most precious resources ... Water! We have miniaturized the technology used in our rugged commercial PSP systems to achieve an incredible 1:1 ratio ( ... that’s ONE gallon of Ultra High Purity DI water for ONE gallon of waste ! ) all in a microprocessor-controlled system no bigger than a standard RO/DI system. MaxCap® UHE Systems include high-silicate-removal RO membranes, 2 dual-probe TDS monitors, 0.5um pre-filters, SuperDI™ MaxCap® & SuperDI™ SilicaBuster™ cartridges, feed valve, ASO valve, float valve, pressure gauge, garden hose adapter, and Automatic Membrane Flush.