RO/DI unit

[JakefromRi]

I'm looking at buying an RO/DI filter, so I thought I would ask to see what everyone else is using. I'd like to get something in the 100 gpd range, but really I'm interested in the cost of the filter versus its efficiency (how much waste water). What are your thoughts?
Something like this worth it? http://www.amazon.com/Aquarium-System-RO-MEMBRANE-Tested-Made-LiquaGen/dp/B00LYZYUJM

 

[dbl]

Take a look here...hard to beat the unit or the price, but of course, it's just my opinion.

http://spectrapure.com/RO-RODI/RODI-SYSTEMS/Refurbished-90-GPD-RODI-System

 

[JakefromRi]

Take a look here...hard to beat the unit or the price, but of course, it's just my opinion.

http://spectrapure.com/RO-RODI/RODI-SYSTEMS/Refurbished-90-GPD-RODI-System

You're right, those are some good deals. Thanks for the tip, that definitely helps my decision

 

[g6gang]

Bulk reef supply.. they have typical units with various stages and you can also make a custom one. I have a 6 stage BRS unit and have been happy with it. It comes with dual in line TDS meter that helps see when to replace various aspects. Check your municipality to see if you need Chloramine block

 

[JakefromRi]

http://spectrapure.com/RO-RODI/RODI-SYSTEMS/Chloramine-Removal-90-GPD-RO-DI-System

This seems like a pretty solid deal

 

[AZDesertRat]

Nothing comes close to Spectrapure. They are the only vendor who specially treats the either batch tests or individually hand tests all their RO membranes, proven to improve their performance and to blend their own reef specific DI resins.
Efficiency in a RO/DI is not how much waste they produce, thats standard across the industry, but how well it removes the contaminants which leads to longer membrane and DI life and lower cost of ownership.

I would not even consider the one you linked to for several reasons. 1. Coarse 5 micron sediment filter about as effective as a screen door. Good systems use 0.5 to 1.0 micron near absolute rated sediment filters 2. No reef quality RO/DI systems use granular activated carbon because it only lasts about 300 total gallons, thats 60 treated gallons and 240 waste gallons. 3. Coarse 5 micron carbon block only good for around 6000 total gallons, again thats only 1200 treated gallons and 4800 waste gallons. Good systems use 0.5, 0.6 or 1.0 micron carbon blocks rated for 12,000 to 20,000 total gallons. 4. They say it is a 150 GPD system but the membrane pictured is a 100 GPD. Regardless both are the worst possible choices for a reef system due to their poor performance compared to the Dow Filmtec 75 GPD membrane. The 100 is only 90% efficient, the 150 usually tests out around 95-96%, the 75 is 96-98% and Spectrapure improves on that further. For every 2% you lose you cut your DI life in half.5. The DI cartridges provided are not refillable like most good reef quality RO/DI systems are.

 

[JakefromRi]

Nothing comes close to Spectrapure. They are the only vendor who specially treats the either batch tests or individually hand tests all their RO membranes, proven to improve their performance and to blend their own reef specific DI resins.
Efficiency in a RO/DI is not how much waste they produce, thats standard across the industry, but how well it removes the contaminants which leads to longer membrane and DI life and lower cost of ownership.

I would not even consider the one you linked to for several reasons. 1. Coarse 5 micron sediment filter about as effective as a screen door. Good systems use 0.5 to 1.0 micron near absolute rated sediment filters 2. No reef quality RO/DI systems use granular activated carbon because it only lasts about 300 total gallons, thats 60 treated gallons and 240 waste gallons. 3. Coarse 5 micron carbon block only good for around 6000 total gallons, again thats only 1200 treated gallons and 4800 waste gallons. Good systems use 0.5, 0.6 or 1.0 micron carbon blocks rated for 12,000 to 20,000 total gallons. 4. They say it is a 150 GPD system but the membrane pictured is a 100 GPD. Regardless both are the worst possible choices for a reef system due to their poor performance compared to the Dow Filmtec 75 GPD membrane. The 100 is only 90% efficient, the 150 usually tests out around 95-96%, the 75 is 96-98% and Spectrapure improves on that further. For every 2% you lose you cut your DI life in half.5. The DI cartridges provided are not refillable like most good reef quality RO/DI systems are.

All specs for this unit say 0.5 micron, I'm not sure where you are getting 5 micron.

 

[AZDesertRat]

"To reach maximum purity the system goes through the following SIX stages (4 Stage RO system w/ 2 supreme quality DI cartridges in Clear Housing)-1ST STAGE : 5 Micron Sediment Filter- Removes turbidity, rust,sediment, & dirt || 2ND STAGE: GAC Water Filter-assists in removing unpleasant chlorine, tastes, odors, cloudiness and colors || 3RD STAGE: 5 Micron Carbon Block Filter-this stage makes sure there is ABSOLUTELY no impurities which my have gotten through in the 2nd stage || 4TH STAGE: 150 GALLON PER DAY high rejection membrane-Removes a wide variety of contaminants including but not limited to arsenic, bacteria, chlorine, lead, fluoride, chromium, radium, etc. || 5TH STAGE & 6 STAGE- Mixed Bed DI Color Changing Filter In Clear Housing.The anion resin is a Type I strongly basic gel resin with an indicator dye that changes from green to brown as the resin exhausts. The cation component is a strong acid sulfonated polystyrene gel type cation exchange resin."

The above is right from the link you posted? I don't see 0.5 microns anywhere? I would pass on it.

Spectrapure would be my first choice, Buckeye Hydro second and PurelyH2o third.

 

[JakefromRi]

"To reach maximum purity the system goes through the following SIX stages (4 Stage RO system w/ 2 supreme quality DI cartridges in Clear Housing)-1ST STAGE : 5 Micron Sediment Filter- Removes turbidity, rust,sediment, & dirt || 2ND STAGE: GAC Water Filter-assists in removing unpleasant chlorine, tastes, odors, cloudiness and colors || 3RD STAGE: 5 Micron Carbon Block Filter-this stage makes sure there is ABSOLUTELY no impurities which my have gotten through in the 2nd stage || 4TH STAGE: 150 GALLON PER DAY high rejection membrane-Removes a wide variety of contaminants including but not limited to arsenic, bacteria, chlorine, lead, fluoride, chromium, radium, etc. || 5TH STAGE & 6 STAGE- Mixed Bed DI Color Changing Filter In Clear Housing.The anion resin is a Type I strongly basic gel resin with an indicator dye that changes from green to brown as the resin exhausts. The cation component is a strong acid sulfonated polystyrene gel type cation exchange resin."

The above is right from the link you posted? I don't see 0.5 microns anywhere? I would pass on it.

Spectrapure would be my first choice, Buckeye Hydro second and PurelyH2o third.

I'm not sure why it's directing you to that. The link is for a 90gpd spectapure
OVERVIEW:

SpectraPure® 90gpd Chloramine Removal 5-Stage RO/DI System is configured for use in areas with high chlorine / chloramine levels. This system incorporates 3-Stages of Pre-Filtration starting with a 0.5 micron MicroTec™ Sediment Filter and followed by a 1 micron carbon and then a 0.5 micron Carbon Block Filter, a SpectraPure high-silicate removal TFC membrane, and finally a high-capacity SilicaBuster™ SuperDI 10 inch DI cartridge. The triple-probe TDS Meter monitors RO membrane feed, RO membrane product, and DI water, so you can be always be assured of Zero-TDS water. Ultra-high purity and long membrane life – despite harsh feed water conditions, this system maximizes pure water production through application of laboratory grade resins used in our specialty deionization cartridges.


FEATURES:

* 3-Stage Pre-Filter Specially Configured for High-Chlorine/Chloramine locales
* 3-Probe TDS Meter ... Monitors Membrane Feed, RO, & DI Product Waters
* 0.5um MicroTec Sediment Cartridge, 1um & 0.5um Carbon Block Cartridges
* 90-GPD RO Stage w/ SpectraPure Standard Batch-Tested TFC RO Membrane
* High-Capacity SpectraPure SilicaBusterTM SuperDI De-Ionization Stage
* Pressure Gauge Monitors Membrane Feed Pressure & Pre-Filter Status
* Sturdy High-Quality Powder Coated Metal Bracket
* Includes Tubing, Garden Hose Adapter, & Filter Wrench

 

[AZDesertRat]

I am pointing out why your first link is an inferior product and why Spectrapure is the way to go. Compare your first link to either of the Spectrapure systems and you will see major differences.

 

[JakefromRi]

Oh I was wondering why it seemed like you were supporting and bashing spectrapure all in the same paragraph haha. Sorry, I lost thought of that first one after spectrapure was suggested. This is what I am ordering: http://spectrapure.com/RO-RODI/RODI-SYSTEMS/Chloramine-Removal-90-GPD-RO-DI-System

 

[AZDesertRat]

Good system. I would eventually convert the second carbon into a dual DI though if it were me. Dual carbons are rarely if ever necessary while dual DI actually gives you value. Easy to do and takes about 30 minutes tops.

 

[JakefromRi]

Good system. I would eventually convert the second carbon into a dual DI though if it were me. Dual carbons are rarely if ever necessary while dual DI actually gives you value. Easy to do and takes about 30 minutes tops.

Great, I appreciate your input. Thanks for your time

 

[SaltwaterAq Verified Sponsor]

Consider this one - http://www.amazon.com/IceCap-RODI-S...F8&qid=1434395629&sr=1-1&keywords=icecap+rodi

 

[AZDesertRat]

I wouldn't buy that one myself. No vendor should sell you a system advertised at 2:1 waste ratio without first knowing your water conditions. In rare cases you could run that system at 2:1 waste and still get decent membrane life, otherwise it would get pretty expensive replacing membranes and DI. Vendors such as Spectrapure provide two different flow restrictors and a hardness test kit with their low waste systems so you the end user can test your hardness then install the correct flow restrictor for your conditions, either 3:1 or 2:1. If you don't have softened or naturally soft water and lower than normal TDS then don't even attempt 2:1 or you will be replacing components much quicker and driving your cost of ownership up.

 

[JakefromRi]

I wouldn't buy that one myself. No vendor should sell you a system advertised at 2:1 waste ratio without first knowing your water conditions. In rare cases you could run that system at 2:1 waste and still get decent membrane life, otherwise it would get pretty expensive replacing membranes and DI. Vendors such as Spectrapure provide two different flow restrictors and a hardness test kit with their low waste systems so you the end user can test your hardness then install the correct flow restrictor for your conditions, either 3:1 or 2:1. If you don't have softened or naturally soft water and lower than normal TDS then don't even attempt 2:1 or you will be replacing components much quicker and driving your cost of ownership up.

It's a bit too late. I ordered it yesterday

 

[JakefromRi]

Consider this one - http://www.amazon.com/IceCap-RODI-S...F8&qid=1434395629&sr=1-1&keywords=icecap+rodi

Far too expensive for me