BRS RO/DI Systems
- Thread starter SycoCell
- Start date
dlp211
New member
You can get a BRS 150GPD for between $210-$250 [1]. I don't know where you are finding systems for $130-$150, but if you want people to be able to tell you whether the BRS is worth it over another system, you should probably post links. There may be a reason that those other systems are so cheap relative to the BRS. Or perhaps you found an amazing deal and other reefers would benefit from seeing these systems.
[1] http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/bulk-...ms/reverse-osmosis-systems/value-systems.html
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-150-gpd-water-saver-upgrade-kit.html
Either buy the 150GPD Value system for $250 or buy the 75GPD Value system for $150 and add the 150GPD upgrade kit for $60
[1] http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/bulk-...ms/reverse-osmosis-systems/value-systems.html
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-150-gpd-water-saver-upgrade-kit.html
Either buy the 150GPD Value system for $250 or buy the 75GPD Value system for $150 and add the 150GPD upgrade kit for $60
The others are all over eBay; just to name 2
http://www.ebay.com/itm/322285148562
http://www.ebay.com/itm/141034024297
Edit: Didn't realize they had the water saver kit. That was one of my biggest concerns with all of this - all the damn wasted water just flushing away..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/322285148562
http://www.ebay.com/itm/141034024297
Edit: Didn't realize they had the water saver kit. That was one of my biggest concerns with all of this - all the damn wasted water just flushing away..
dlp211
New member
I personally would absolutely not purchase those. I highly doubt that they are using 150GPD RO Membranes. They are most likely using DOW 75GPD 50PSI membranes but saying that they need to run at 100PSI. Someone in the comments even states don't be upset when you don't get 150GPD. It's for this reason that all the BRS 150GPD packages have two RO filters.
I also like something that will be so critical, but you should only have to buy once, to have a company that stands behind their product. Buckeye Field Supply, Spectrapure, BRS, among others, are all companies I would purchase from, not necessarily in that order because I have some confidence that they will still be around to help service my equipment in 2-5 years.
Also, I apologize if I came off curt in my first response, that wasn't my intention.
Not at all! I appreciate straight forward answers. This is why I posted.
You definitely knocked some sense into me. The amount of money I've spent so far is well worth quality. Definitely going to go BRS...Just debating between the 75+saver or the full 150 setup....
dlp211
New member
I personally, as long as you are sure you don't have chlorimines, would just spend the $250 on the 150GPD Value now. You get a PSI gauge and a dual input TDI meter along with the water saver kit. I have found each of these useful in the years that I was reefing (I no longer have my 180 and need to update my signature, but I'm getting the itch again). The only reason I wouldn't go this route is if you have very low water pressure in your home, in which case I would forgo the water saver kit and get a booster pump.
Is the inline TDS meter "cool" or actually useful? I have a handheld one that I can very quickly tap a button and dip it...
https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/puratek-deluxe-100-gpd-automated-4-stage-rodi-system-vertex/
Know anything about this? It seems to have good reviews as well as a 1/1 good/waste water rate..
Know anything about this? It seems to have good reviews as well as a 1/1 good/waste water rate..
It looks very decent for the price and with everything that comes with it including a booster pump. If you live in a colder climate the RODI production can drop in the winter time where the incoming water is colder which is why they say, dependant on source water temperature.
The BRS ones come with a lot more fittings and stuff which is why they are a tad more expensive. Also, the water saver will require more PSI to operate vs the non-water saver BRS recommends 65PSI vs 50 PSI for normal non-water saving models.
I bought a RODI from another place cause I thought a RODI was a RODI and well that's just not the case. A lot will depend on the source water and how high the incoming TDS is at and if your city treats with chloramines or not also will factor into the performance. If you have city water you can google the water company and usually find water quality reports for free and this will help a lot to see what actually is in the water.
Like I said I didn't buy a RODI from BRS but I wish I would have. The RODI that I bought is a great unit but I have replaced all my membranes, sediment, carbon blocks and DI resin with BRS ones and my performance has increased a ton and they are lasting longer.
I prefer having a PSI gauge and TDS meter built in myself and I also have a manual flush valve to help with TDS creep.
dlp211
New member
I found it useful, but I was just starting out too, so I probably wouldn't need it now that I understand the maintenance and what exhausted DI looks like. The fact that you have a handheld is probably good enough. I found the pressure gauge more useful since I had bad water pressure in the places I lived and it let me dial in a booster.
tmnigat
New member
I live a bit east of you in Greenville, NC and we unfortunately do have chloramines in our water :/ I went with Spectrapure's Chloramine removal system and while it does its job very well I get annoyed with the system. Spectrapure charges at least 20$ shipping for anything from their site, even a simple filter.
With that said you may want to look at the recurring cost. Advantage of the BRS systems are you can easily order filters, replacement parts, or upgrade parts in the future. Noname or uncommon brands you risk not being able to easily get what you need.
With that said you may want to look at the recurring cost. Advantage of the BRS systems are you can easily order filters, replacement parts, or upgrade parts in the future. Noname or uncommon brands you risk not being able to easily get what you need.
I think if anything in reefing is worth going all out on it's your RO/DI unit. I'd get the dual inline TDS meter (can be added later) and dual stage DI. I use one after the membrane and one after the DI. That way you know when to change either one.
If you need the higher gallons I'd go with the BRS water saver kit and a booster pump if needed. The 75 gallon membranes have a little better rejection and save $ in the water bill by reducing waste.
If you need the higher gallons I'd go with the BRS water saver kit and a booster pump if needed. The 75 gallon membranes have a little better rejection and save $ in the water bill by reducing waste.
I'd personally go with a pressure gauge and in-line TDS meter as a convenience cause you just turn it on and flip the switch to get multiple TDS readings. I'm not sure how much pre-assembly BRS does but when I got mine from another place it was mostly already to go minus hooking up the final runs of tubing.
If you can afford a 6 stage I think it's worth it to future proof you in case the water company decides someday they want to use chloramines. Something to ponder I guess.
If you can afford a 6 stage I think it's worth it to future proof you in case the water company decides someday they want to use chloramines. Something to ponder I guess.
PilotMaximus
Member
+1 on BRS
really like the inline gauge and TDS meters. But I like toys....and theres just one less thing I have to worry about and there is plenty to worry about in this hobby. Plus it all just seems to work great.
really like the inline gauge and TDS meters. But I like toys....and theres just one less thing I have to worry about and there is plenty to worry about in this hobby. Plus it all just seems to work great.
Thanks for the input...I'm stuck between:
BRS 150gpd Value System
OR
Puratek Deluxe 100gpd
I like that the Puratek has the built in automation as far as the booster pump, on/off, etc etc. But, BRS has always been good to me in the past. The Puratek is normally $330 but on sale for the $247 right now which is a nice bonus - and on the site I buy from a lot, I get money back in store credit which is very beneficial. However, the Puratek comes with 5 and 10 micron filters (Not sure how much of a big deal that is..) But, BRS being BRS has always been good to me - and I love supporting them.
BRS 150gpd Value System
OR
Puratek Deluxe 100gpd
I like that the Puratek has the built in automation as far as the booster pump, on/off, etc etc. But, BRS has always been good to me in the past. The Puratek is normally $330 but on sale for the $247 right now which is a nice bonus - and on the site I buy from a lot, I get money back in store credit which is very beneficial. However, the Puratek comes with 5 and 10 micron filters (Not sure how much of a big deal that is..) But, BRS being BRS has always been good to me - and I love supporting them.
homer1475
New member
Link to the puratek?
Most of these units use the same Filmtech membrane(75GPD) and try to sell an unknowing user something that just isn't truly possible. If its only 1 RO membrane then they are trying to sell you a 75GPD membrane and push more pressure through it giving you RO breakout(some of the TDS is pushed through the membrane with the increased pressure), and the GPD they advertise. If you can't supply the pressure they are using, its still only a 75GPD membrane. It'd also not good for the membrane to be pushed at such high pressures.
Any decent 150GPD unit uses 2 RO membranes. Basically what this does is push the waste from one RO membrane through another. Effectively giving you 150GPD production.
I've seen buckeyeHydro and spectrapure reps post in a few threads boasting this same thing, and warning end users about this. What these "other" manufacturers are trying to do is get unknowing users to buy their product and stand out from the rest of the RO/DI manufacturers.
Stick with a well known manufacturer. They will still be around for a few years, and they are typically here on the forums,or you can call them if you have any questions. The others, good luck with customer service should you need any.
Most of these units use the same Filmtech membrane(75GPD) and try to sell an unknowing user something that just isn't truly possible. If its only 1 RO membrane then they are trying to sell you a 75GPD membrane and push more pressure through it giving you RO breakout(some of the TDS is pushed through the membrane with the increased pressure), and the GPD they advertise. If you can't supply the pressure they are using, its still only a 75GPD membrane. It'd also not good for the membrane to be pushed at such high pressures.
Any decent 150GPD unit uses 2 RO membranes. Basically what this does is push the waste from one RO membrane through another. Effectively giving you 150GPD production.
I've seen buckeyeHydro and spectrapure reps post in a few threads boasting this same thing, and warning end users about this. What these "other" manufacturers are trying to do is get unknowing users to buy their product and stand out from the rest of the RO/DI manufacturers.
Stick with a well known manufacturer. They will still be around for a few years, and they are typically here on the forums,or you can call them if you have any questions. The others, good luck with customer service should you need any.
Maybe I'm just getting hung up on the automated thing. I'm a nerd and love automation - thus my Apex fascination and my Smart Home... I do have plenty of water pressure - while I haven't actually measured it, it's some serious pressure so I'd venture to guess well over the min.
The way I figure is that every system uses the same filters (assuming standard 10" size)...I can easily put the BRS filters in, membranes, whatever into anything I purchase....As well as any GE membranes. So, does BRS really have a superior product, or is it just the filters they're using? Probably making a way bigger deal of this - but at the $250 price point, I want the most bang for my buck.
The way I figure is that every system uses the same filters (assuming standard 10" size)...I can easily put the BRS filters in, membranes, whatever into anything I purchase....As well as any GE membranes. So, does BRS really have a superior product, or is it just the filters they're using? Probably making a way bigger deal of this - but at the $250 price point, I want the most bang for my buck.
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