Do I Need a Better RO/DI Unit?

[Reefer37]

I bought an Aquatic Life 4-stage RO/DI Buddie that includes the DI and all. First couple batches of RODI water tested at 0 TDS. Last batch I just made shows 1 TDS, this was after about 25g of RODI water was made with this brand new. My waste ratio is about 3/1.

Am I needing a better unit or is this natural? How can you even determine which unit is needed between 4-stage, 5, 6, etc?

 

[Softhammer]

You may have tapped it out. Those “buddy” type ro units are meant for very very low volume. Unless you have a 10 gallon tank, it’s time to step up to a full sized unit. You can add on and build it up so it isn’t as expensive from the onset. I bought a cheapo and over the years added up to 2 75 gpd membranes and dual DI. It pumps out hundreds of gallons before I need to do anything and the waste water is less than the clean.

 

[piranhaman00]

I bought an Aquatic Life 4-stage RO/DI Buddie that includes the DI and all. First couple batches of RODI water tested at 0 TDS. Last batch I just made shows 1 TDS, this was after about 25g of RODI water was made with this brand new. My waste ratio is about 3/1.

Am I needing a better unit or is this natural? How can you even determine which unit is needed between 4-stage, 5, 6, etc?

We need to know your source water TDS and chlorine/chloramine concentration. This can be obtained with HACH chlorine test strips.

I used the Aquatic Life unit for months and it worked great. Is your resin exhausted (brown/gold)? How are you measuring TDS? Is it possible the water was contaminated to give 1 TDS? If you fill a pail with water and there is a drop of saltwater in it it will give off TDS. Also what is your pressure?

I made 100s of gallons a week with an RO buddie and was fine. It can be used but it depends on your source water.

 

[Camaro Show Corals]

Those aquatic life units are junk I bought the twist in as my first rodi, couldn’t make filters last longer then 2-3 months and still got tds afterwards. A quality rodi will go a long way. I would recommend nothing but a 7 stage, I lost abou $6k of sps from a bad rodi, it’s not worth the risk. I believe everyone should protect themselves no matter how good your base tap water is. I have a brs 7 stage 200gpd with booster pump and it was worth every penny.

 

[Reefer37]

We need to know your source water TDS and chlorine/chloramine concentration. This can be obtained with HACH chlorine test strips.

I used the Aquatic Life unit for months and it worked great. Is your resin exhausted (brown/gold)? How are you measuring TDS? Is it possible the water was contaminated to give 1 TDS? If you fill a pail with water and there is a drop of saltwater in it it will give off TDS. Also what is your pressure?

I made 100s of gallons a week with an RO buddie and was fine. It can be used but it depends on your source water.

I don't have a chlorine/chloramine test, but I'll get one and come back to that.

Here's the TDS meter I have:

HM DIGITAL TDS-3 Handheld TDS Aquarium Meter & Thermometer with Carrying Case - Chewy.com

Buy HM Digital TDS-3 Handheld TDS Aquarium Meter & Thermometer with Carrying Case at Chewy.com. FREE shipping and the BEST customer service!

www.chewy.com

I see very little brown near the top, but overall I've only used it over the weekend to make 25g of fresh water.

I'm going to re-test in a clean container and check as it could have been left over salt or something of that sort. Didn't think of that.

 

[Reefer37]

Those aquatic life units are junk I bought the twist in as my first rodi, couldn’t make filters last longer then 2-3 months and still got tds afterwards. A quality rodi will go a long way. I would recommend nothing but a 7 stage, I lost abou $6k of sps from a bad rodi, it’s not worth the risk. I believe everyone should protect themselves no matter how good your base tap water is. I have a brs 7 stage 200gpd with booster pump and it was worth every penny.

I've heard some praise it and others hate it, I think a lot of it depends on location and water quality. I'm just trying to figure out if it's a real issue or left over residue in the container. Will check it again tonight.

 

[Albertan22]

I have the same tds meter. I usually filter a bit of water into a drinking glass and test my tds in that.

 

[piranhaman00]

I've heard some praise it and others hate it, I think a lot of it depends on location and water quality. I'm just trying to figure out if it's a real issue or left over residue in the container. Will check it again tonight.

Exactly right, I used one for 6 months or so, never replaced a filter, easily 1000+gallons. I upgraded so I could make more faster.

I have the same tds meter. I usually filter a bit of water into a drinking glass and test my tds in that.

This works, but ideally designate a small tuppaware for RODI only, then you will have no residual water left over.

 

[Nick82187]

Also try to make larger batches of water, it’s better for the membranes. You will get tds creep if you set it up on a float valve or something like that on your top off container