I'll clarify.
I don't use RODI. I use a dual carbon filter (a dual DI unit from airwaterice, but I don't use DI) I use the matrix carbon blocks from BRS instead, just to remove any chlorine. My tap TDS averages around the mid to upper 70's. Its my own personal belief that RODI is not necessary to maintain a successful reef and that since it strips the water of everything, it's just too much. The carbon blocks are rated to (I think) around 6,000 gallons.
Up until around 6 months ago, I used kalk for top off. I went through 2 different pumps getting all gummed up, so I cleaned all that out and have been using straight water for top off. I was using aminos for a while, but also stopped that a while back - longer than 6 months ago probably. Great results with them, just ran out and haven't gotten more.
I run a rlss i8 skimmer, and have a healthy fuge. Bioload is only a small purple tang, 2 ocellaris, a lawnmower blenny and a candy hog. Random inverts like shrimp, a cucumber and typical CUC. Some of the macro from the five has made its way to the display and is growing. Typical grape caulerpa. Some bubble algae here and there and a small spot of cyano.
Now, all that said, I'm not claiming perfection. I've lost some acros, a clam, etc. Not all at once, all over the life of the tank. We can't play God and expect to win all the time.
My main approach to reefkeeping is simple. Keep your hands out of the tank and leave it alone to do what it needs to do. A lot of corals are growing into each other and killing themselves off, but I don't think of it as negative. I look at it as them self limiting and causing them to grow in different ways. I never put my hands in the tank unless it's absolutely necessary, I think it's a big deal, keeping your hands out. I've had my poccillipora spawn and new colonies are growing. The big cap is growing up the back glass, and the birdsnest just won't quit.
I did check the salinity which is fine and checked my nitrates, which came back as 0. I use an API kit, nothing fancy.
I appreciate that everyone thinks my tank looks good, I think so too, but seeing it everyday, I don't get the same appreciation.
If you think I'm yanking your chain, I'm not. I use simple techniques that work for me, and I'm a lazy reefer.