Should I buy a rodi unit or protein skimmer

[Hempknight]

Hello I'm new to saltwater and in the market for some tank items been looking around and seen protein and rodi units on sale I don't have either one and was wondering what would be better for,me to get at this time as I can only afford 1 tank has been up and running for 3 months using a canister filter having some issues with red algea and was wondering what would be the better buy at this time (i know I need both)

 

[Centerline]

I would go for the rodi first. If you don't start with pure water nothing else matters. You will need a minimum of a 4 stage with a TDS meter. Grab the best skimmer you can when the time comes.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

If you're on non rodi water now, definitely the rodi unit.
At 3 months the ugly phase is not unusual. If you keep the canister clean every month it should be just fine. I ran tanks with only aquaclear filters for many years.

 

[Hempknight]

I'm looking at the aquatic life to buddie reverse osmosis system on Amazon would it be fine for my tank I'm not really sure on these things can someone please let me know it is a 4 stage unit

 

[thaitopher]

How big is your tank? If its small enough you could just use distilled water from the grocery store and add a skimmer. I have a 20 gallon and thats what I do. Distilled water is pretty much the same as RODI.

 

[Hempknight]

It's a 40g breeder

 

[Mike N]

I'm looking at the aquatic life to buddie reverse osmosis system on Amazon would it be fine for my tank I'm not really sure on these things can someone please let me know it is a 4 stage unit

That one is just RO system. If you want to stick with aquatic life brand, get this one. Its RODI, 4 stage.
HOWEVER, if you have the money to spend i'd HIGHLY recommend BRS's RODI systems. The one I linked has an inline TDS meter and some other extras. There is a cheaper $134 version though.

 

[Orangezuk]

Check out some of the YouTube videos/posts from Bulk Reef Supply on RODI units.
Yes, they sell them but they do a great job of getting good info across even if it's not about their product.
But I will give them the nod for good info, good products & great customer service!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Distilled water is pretty much the same as RODI.

Its actually not.

I'm looking at the aquatic life to buddie reverse osmosis system on Amazon would it be fine for my tank I'm not really sure on these things can someone please let me know it is a 4 stage unit

Make sure you get the DI stage.

All in your looking at $125 at min for a standard unit i think.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/75gpd...-supply.html?gclid=CI3U2dKIjtQCFYe1wAodzUoHuw

 

[Hempknight]

So the one I'm looking at is no good?

 

[R_C]

I would go for the rodi first. If you don't start with pure water nothing else matters. You will need a minimum of a 4 stage with a TDS meter. Grab the best skimmer you can when the time comes.

+1

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

So the one I'm looking at is no good?

Its not that. The RO buddy is Only reverse osmosis. They also sell a full rodi system.

 

[Hempknight]

I was just looking at that on Amazon and saw 47 dollars and though I couldn't beat that lol but I'll start looking at 4 stage units and save up thanks

 

[Centerline]

If you can swing an extra 50 bucks you might want the one with the TDS meter. Makes it a lot easier to tell if you need to change a filter.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/4-stage-75gpd-plus-ro-di-system-bulk-reef-supply.html

 

[Cherub]

RODI first for sure, you can do more water changes until you can afford the skimmer

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I was just looking at that on Amazon and saw 47 dollars and though I couldn't beat that lol but I'll start looking at 4 stage units and save up thanks

If you can swing an extra 50 bucks you might want the one with the TDS meter. Makes it a lot easier to tell if you need to change a filter.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/4-stage-75gpd-plus-ro-di-system-bulk-reef-supply.html

Yup!

Also
.https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00204CQF...t=&hvlocphy=9031339&hvtargid=pla-316086433617

 

[Cherub]

I was just looking at that on Amazon and saw 47 dollars and though I couldn't beat that lol but I'll start looking at 4 stage units and save up thanks

you might post on the dry good section, people sell used units that are good all the time

 

[happyhourhero]

I use the RO Buddie with the DI attachment and have been for about a year and a half. It does its job just fine if you cannot afford a BRS unit yet.

 

[Dan I]

I would definitely go with the RODI unit first. Best investment in the hobby. If anything, you can build a diy protein skimmer for the mean time.

 

[Hempknight]

Thank you all very much sounds like I'm in the market for a rodi unit. Thank you all very much for the info