Anyone use a SpectraPure RO system?

[BummersReef]

Hi all. We will be getting an RO system very soon. Our LFS only sells SpectraPure RO systems. So far, their advice has been great. Just wondering if anyone out there has any experience with this brand? BRS doesn't carry them but apparently Marine Depot does.
thanks!

 

[Naiad]

I use one and have had zero problems or complaints

 

[Clarksski]

I have the 90 gal per day 4 stage with a booster pump and a booster membrane, which technically doubles it's capacity... I've had it for nearly three years. Works great but like anything in this hobby, maintenance is key!
The support at spectrapure is great and my water quality is fantastic. Be sure and get a booster pump though if you don't have enough water pressure. It really makes a difference in output.

 

[BummersReef]

Thanks! LFS said the support was great. There are three "versions" of the 90 gallon per day (don't really understand what the two higher end ones do that the basic doesn't but LFS guy does and says we can add on stuff if we need to)
I will ask about the booster pump as I think the water pressure will be not good. It's gonna run from a line that is already getting pumped down to basement and well .... arghhhh ... plumbing stuff makes my head spin

 

[Clarksski]

This is my system...I wouldn't get the pump until you install the system .. It will give you a pressure reading on the gauge.. It's expensive, like everything else, but if you need it.. You need it!

 

[Naiad]

I'm going off of memory but the basic is just a plain rodi with no boosters or high output or self cleaning features. Then you can get one with the duel membrane pictured above for a better output ratio. Mine is a self flushing unit which basically means the membrane cleans itself. That is helpful if you are a like me and have a heck of a time with the connections to do a manual flush.

 

[AZDesertRat]

Thousands of reefers use Spectrapure, one of the oldest names in the industry with over 30 years in the same AZ city. Having owned several others previously I have used only Spectrapure for my reefs for the last 15 years. The don't come any better.
My only suggestion is make sure you get a fresh system and not one sitting on a LFS shelf. Spectrapure ships their RO membranes wetted and DI resin also has a short shelf life. They do sell direct, not to cut the LFS out but you want the freshest system you can get.

 

[BummersReef]

It's so hard to know where to put the money at this stage in our game. RO system, skimmer, lights, heater, power heads .... etc.
we want to do it slow but sure don't want to ever say "I wish we would have gotten the higher end one to start"
Looking at the huge pile of used equipment at LFS is depressing! I know I am gonna put big bucks into the lights. But I really think the self cleaning aspect would be huge. I think it's only $100 more.
(you guys are soooo helpful, thanks all so much)

 

[twilliard]

Spectrapure here!
Also getting a water softer installed Tuesday ;)

 

[BummersReef]

Thousands of reefers use Spectrapure, one of the oldest names in the industry with over 30 years in the same AZ city. Having owned several others previously I have used only Spectrapure for my reefs for the last 15 years. The don't come any better.
My only suggestion is make sure you get a fresh system and not one sitting on a LFS shelf. Spectrapure ships their RO membranes wetted and DI resin also has a short shelf life. They do sell direct, not to cut the LFS out but you want the freshest system you can get.

this is a high volume LFS, the only one in a large city as they are huge pillars of the community etc. and have been around forever. I swear Rick Preuss is gonna have a street named for him someday ....

 

[Naiad]

Ahh your up by Lansing. You should be fine getting one at Pruess Pets. I am also sure they would be more than willing to tell you how long it has been there if you inquire.

 

[fab]

I have three of them, 2 are RODI and 1 is just RO. One is a UHE that I've used since they first came out. Two are about 10 and 15 years old. The UHE booster pump failed after 8+ years; it started leaking. One call to Spectrapure andI got a replacement in two days by mail. It took 5 minutes to replace the pump and get back on-line. I had no impact on my system during that time.

These are excellent quality devices, very well constructed, reliable and deliver top performance. I have never used a different brand so I cannot compare them, but the level of perfection would have to be mighty high to be better.

 

[BummersReef]

Ahh your up by Lansing. You should be fine getting one at Pruess Pets. I am also sure they would be more than willing to tell you how long it has been there if you inquire.

yeah I love them there. But we live more than an hour's drive round trip so I can't run in with all my silly newbie questions all the time (which is why I am so glad R2R is here!) We are in Eaton Rapids, which is sort of west of Mason, north of Jackson ... in the middle of nowhere essentially

 

[BummersReef]

I have three of them, 2 are RODI and 1 is just RO. One is a UHE that I've used since they first came out. Two are about 10 and 15 years old. The UHE booster pump failed after 8+ years; it started leaking. One call to Spectrapure andI got a replacement in two days by mail. It took 5 minutes to replace the pump and get back on-line. I had no impact on my system during that time.

These are excellent quality devices, very well constructed, reliable and deliver top performance. I have never used a different brand so I cannot compare them, but the level of perfection would have to be mighty high to be better.

me hubby is gonna be SO proud of me! he gave me assignment of "doing some research on SpectraPure" and now he won't hesitate to buy it. doing a happy dance ....

 

[steelheader.262]

First unit and love it, Maxcap 90

 

[Naiad]

yeah I love them there. But we live more than an hour's drive round trip so I can't run in with all my silly newbie questions all the time (which is why I am so glad R2R is here!) We are in Eaton Rapids, which is sort of west of Mason, north of Jackson ... in the middle of nowhere essentially

Yea just Googled Eaton. That is kinda no man's land lol.

 

[AZDesertRat]

I have owned three Spectrapure systems myself, 90 gpd MaxCap, 180 gpd dual membrane MaxCap and now the MaxCap UHE for the last 8.5 years.

 

[BummersReef]

He's gonna go buy one this weekend. Of course, now he gives me another thing to ask about on here (does he not know how forums work?? nope ... he don't <grin>)
We have a well and a drain field (as explained above we are out in the middle of no-where) and apparently the RO system makes a ton of waste water. so he wants to know what people do with their waste water when they aren't on a city sewer line?
I have read something about people collecting water in a cistern to water yard etc. He wonders if anyone runs waste water into their basement sump thing? (place in a Michigan basement where water collects) or do you just let it go back out into the drain field?
should I ask this here or start a different thread with that particular question? I know there is a plumbing thread but as I am a newbie seems like I should be posted things in here? I will also search for "waste water?" ....

 

[BummersReef]

Yea just Googled Eaton. That is kinda no man's land lol.

our Internet is sooooo slow. But we have deer and turkey in the backyard all the time! Are you in the metro Detroit area? you have a lot of LFS over there!

 

[AZDesertRat]

It is not a ton of waste but it will be 3 to 4 times the amount of RO/DI you make. You probably send more down the drain from the toilet and a couple showers than it will produce in a months time. The drain recharges the groundwater supply so not a bad option really.
You could also run the waste line outside in warmer months and water the garden or landscape as long as you prop the end up so it cannot suck anything back in the line.

Something you need to keep in mind is it takes a minimum of 40 psi to operate a RO system and often domestic well systems are set to operate at around 35 psi. You may need a RO booster pump, which is much cheaper to operate thay trying to adjust your well systems pressure switch up. RO membranes become more efficient the higher the pressure is, I run my booster pump at 95-100 psi.