Good deal?

[DragonFish]

Can someone explain why?

 

[Illuminati]

The answer I got when I asked Jim from The Filter Guys:

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11462399#post11462399 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Thefilterguys
Horizontal cartridges hold only one third the resin capacity of a vertical housing so unless your RO tds is low you need to change resin more often in them. If improperly packed they do tend to channel which has a lot to do with their horizontal positioning. Vertical cartridges seem to work better as the water is drawn up through the resin. I have used both with great success but my RO tds is only 1-2 and I do prefer the vertical housing.

A lot of RO/DI is still shrouded in urban myth which accounts for alot of the negative posting in general.

Jim

I have the AWI Compact Reefkeeper and can confirm the DI sucks.

 

[pszemol]

You can always buy a unit with horizontal DI stage and at the first occasion buy an additonal vertical and transparent container with a color changing DI media.

If you work the cost of the additional DI unit in the original price and the whole thing is still a good deal for you - go for it!

But you can pay a little more up front and get the unit which already has three vertical and transparent containers on a single bracket and be done with it.

 

[wld1783]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14394525#post14394525 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SlowCobra
I haven't read all the posts but I will say that any unit that offers a HORIZONTAL DI cartridge is junk... period.

I agree. More often than not you get what you pay for.

I hate to recommend anything on a post but this is what I use.

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...osis-Saltwater_Aquarium_Supplies~vendor~.html

You might find it cheaper but not by much.

Bill

 

[GoCubs17]

It seems that with Chicago water, sometimes they must do a clorine blast or something, because every couple years it seems a membrane will just go bad for no reason....my guess is something the treatment plant is doing../

 

[pszemol]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14399517#post14399517 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GoCubs17
It seems that with Chicago water, sometimes they must do a clorine blast or something, because every couple years it seems a membrane will just go bad for no reason....my guess is something the treatment plant is doing../

You should have activated carbon stage in front of the membrane to prevent chlorine damage to the membrane. Unless you are not changing it regularly nothing should happen to your membrane.

 

[pszemol]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14397951#post14397951 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wld1783
I agree. More often than not you get what you pay for.

I hate to recommend anything on a post but this is what I use.

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...osis-Saltwater_Aquarium_Supplies~vendor~.html

You might find it cheaper but not by much.

Bill

Cheaper? What you are comparing, really?
A system for $90 with a drinking faucet, compressed tank and automated shut off valves to a system for $300 with just three vertical containers and a membrane?

Guys - there is no magic here... The system is just housing - noting much. Everything else is exchangeable (consumables). You replace the media in your filter stages anyway, right?

For the $300 you can get 3 systems like the original poster shown here. And for the $300 system you linked here you will not have any accessory items which would cost probably another $100-150 when purchased separatelly. A pressurized bladder tank with faucet alone would cost you 50-60 bucks when purchased separatelly. Automatic shut-off valve (4-way valve) would cost you another $20.

I think that the eBay offer linked here by the original poster is a very good deal! Even if you had to replace the membrane (in case it is crappy and it fails prematurely) and re-plumb original tubing to put DI stage in the third vertical housing instead of the 2nd carbon (why do they offer two carbon stages?) it would be still a very good deal considering it comes with the drinking water tank and faucet and the auto shut off valve in the kit.