Silly question

[benthicBarbarian]

I’m thinking about finally dipping my toes into the saltwater hobby and I keep hearing an RODI system is a MUST. The problem is I don’t have enough space under my kitchen sink to properly instal said RODI system, which is why I was wondering if there was a way to attach it directly to my tap and use it as needed?

The tank I’m getting is a waterbox cube 20. I was thinking about making it mostly various red & green macroalgeas and one or two soft corals, like a toadstool or Kenya tree. For stocking I’m still trying to figure it out, but I was thinking two clowns and a gramma or possum wrasse.

I attached photos of my sink nozzle thing to see if you guys can figure out the size or something (excuse the grime on the rim, I cleaned it after taking the pic )

I also attached photos of which RODI systems I was planning on buying.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Yes the RO Buddy has an attachment that lets you attach it to the sink. I think the classic does as well, it came with different attachments, but I can't remember.

I suggest to get the classic instead of the buddy. The RO Buddy goes through cartridges pretty fast, and the replacement cost of those cartridges is almost the same as a new unit, its crazy.

 

[benthicBarbarian]

Yes the RO Buddy has an attachment that lets you attach it to the sink. I think the classic does as well, it came with different attachments, but I can't remember.

I suggest to get the classic instead of the buddy. The RO Buddy goes through cartridges pretty fast, and the replacement cost of those cartridges is almost the same as a new unit, its crazy.

I’ll definitely consider getting the classic instead, those replacements ARE expensive.

And it does look like the buddy has a faucet adapter! Do you think it’ll fit in my faucet?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I’ll definitely consider getting the classic instead, those replacements ARE expensive.

And it does look like the buddy has a faucet adapter! Do you think it’ll fit in my faucet?

It should, I used to connect mine to the faucet

 

[Homewrecker]

Home Depot sells a waterline adaptor so you have an RO connection between the line and your sink. This is very renter friendly if you dont own and then just put the waste line into the drain. I did this for years!

Also, get the classic. The RO buddy is soooooooo expensive in the long run. You can rebuild a classic if needed easily too!

 

[Homewrecker]

Here you go

 

[JumboShrimp]

My laundry room sink. Open valve for sink water, close valve when making RO/DI.

 

[benthicBarbarian]

Here you go

Gahhh thank you so much!!! You’re the best!!

I also found this piece on Amazon, it looks like it can attached to the female hose bit that comes with the RODI buddy? Otherwise I’ll get what you suggested.

 

[FUNGI]

IMO (unpopular opinion).....RODI is not a must. It just saves headaches from other water quality issue's......
i.e. Here are the instructions from IO Brand:

 

[benthicBarbarian]

IMO (unpopular opinion).....RODI is not a must. It just saves headaches from other water quality issue's......
i.e. Here are the instructions from IO Brand:

Honestly, I’ve been debating whether I should even get one since I’m keeping mostly macro algae. I live in a town home in Minnesota, my tap water comes out relatively hard (8.5ph) so I’m thinking about getting a TDS meter before deciding on getting a RODI.

My freshwater planted tank runs entirely on tap water and it’s doing really well aside from a BAD black beard algae issue. Now, the BBA issue could be because of the tap water, that’s one of the main reasons why I even contemplated RODI.

…anyways, this whole thing is super stressful and confusing

 

[FUNGI]

RODI is always good to have....but is NOT a must....that all I was saying....
I use RODI. Just saved me headaches trying to fit algae....some people I know only use Tap water with no issue's....I would check on local water quality report from your city.....

 

[benthicBarbarian]

RODI is always good to have....but is NOT a must....that all I was saying....
I use RODI. Just saved me headaches trying to fit algae....some people I know only use Tap water with no issue's....I would check on local water quality report from your city.....

Oh no yeah I understood what you were saying, I just meant that trying to weigh the pros and cons of getting a RODI. I hear some people use tap water for macro tanks because the algea like the additional minerals that come with tap water…I don’t know if that’s true tho.

This is my cities 2024 water quality report….I honestly don’t know what to make of it

 

[FUNGI]

Oh no yeah I understood what you were saying, I just meant that trying to weigh the pros and cons of getting a RODI. I hear some people use tap water for macro tanks because the algea like the additional minerals that come with tap water…I don’t know if that’s true tho.

This is my cities 2024 water quality report….I honestly don’t know what to make of it

Check for Nitrates......

 

[ScottJ]

Oh no yeah I understood what you were saying, I just meant that trying to weigh the pros and cons of getting a RODI. I hear some people use tap water for macro tanks because the algea like the additional minerals that come with tap water…I don’t know if that’s true tho.

This is my cities 2024 water quality report….I honestly don’t know what to make of it

Go with the RODI. You won't be sorry. The salt mix will have all the stuff you need for macro, and then some. You can use the RODI water for your planted tank also. You just need to remineralize it. I use half tap and half RODI for my blackwater tetra tank. It's been going for about 3 years now, fish seem to be doing well.

The AquaticLife RO buddie is perfectly good for making 20 gallons or so a week. It isn't really cost prohibitive to maintain. Refill your own DI with bulk resin. And it's very portable if it's not going to be permanently mounted.

That said, even though I like it, I would I would rather have a full size filter, myself. I make a lot more water water now than when I started (tank creep, went from 1 salt to 3) but it still works just fine. I change the sediment and carbon every 6 months. I would do that with a full size filter also, just a good maintenance practice.

 

[FishTruck]

Just make sure you have a plan that when you make water, and forget about your RO unit running, it does not flood the kitchen floor!

 

[benthicBarbarian]

Go with the RODI. You won't be sorry. The salt mix will have all the stuff you need for macro, and then some. You can use the RODI water for your planted tank also. You just need to remineralize it. I use half tap and half RODI for my blackwater tetra tank. It's been going for about 3 years now, fish seem to be doing well.

The AquaticLife RO buddie is perfectly good for making 20 gallons or so a week. It isn't really cost prohibitive to maintain. Refill your own DI with bulk resin. And it's very portable if it's not going to be permanently mounted.

That said, even though I like it, I would I would rather have a full size filter, myself. I make a lot more water water now than when I started (tank creep, went from 1 salt to 3) but it still works just fine. I change the sediment and carbon every 6 months. I would do that with a full size filter also, just a good maintenance practice.

Thank you so much Scott! I really want everything to go right for my first salty.

Is Bulk resin is that colorful sandy looking stuff I see for sale on reef sites? I see it all the time but never knew what it was. Any brand you recommend?

 

[ScottJ]

Thank you so much Scott! I really want everything to go right for my first salty.

Is Bulk resin is that colorful sandy looking stuff I see for sale on reef sites? I see it all the time but never knew what it was. Any brand you recommend?

Yes, that's DI Color changing resin. No particular brand, I think I just got the AquticLife brand from Amazon. You need to pack it really tight. There are videos and info on the Googles. I see BRS has a short video.