RO/DI, please help!

[bramjansen]

I would love to buy my first RO/DI system. What kind of system do you recommend (Brand specific for instance)? ALso, I saw a system for just over a $100 at Costco, would this be ok, or are those crappy? Any advice, hints, tips are more than welcome! Thank you.

 

[Henry Bowman]

You will get what you pay for. Look at the Sponsors forums for thefilterguys or others. Most of them are in the hobby and will guide you correctly. I have not heard from anyone here that has had a bad experience with them.
HTH

 

[Colin]

Buckeye Field Supply is another good one. I sent them 5 e-mails of questions over a $5 part and they answered every one. Great service.

The Costco unit is probably a drinking water filter. You'd be better off with one made for reefs that includes a better membrane and a DI stage. It won't really cost all the much more, either.

--Colin

 

[garyw68]

I bought mine from the filterguys. I got the ocean wave + 75gal unit. It came fully assembled and was easy to install. The support is excellent as well. I highly recommend the filterguys.

 

[d4a2n0k]

The cheapest reef grade units start at $150.

 

[drummereef]

Spectrapure MaxCap can't be beat. If you are on a budget look into The Filter Guys then.

 

[Buckeye Hydro]

Re: RO/DI, please help!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9617158#post9617158 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bramjansen
I would love to buy my first RO/DI system. What kind of system do you recommend (Brand specific for instance)? ALso, I saw a system for just over a $100 at Costco, would this be ok, or are those crappy? Any advice, hints, tips are more than welcome! Thank you.

What size is your system (tanks, sumps, etc)?

The costco item is likely to be and drinking water RO system, rather than the RODI you are looking for.

Some things you'll likely want in a system include clear housings, pressure gauge, thermometer, aluminum bracket, Filmtec membrane, refillable, full size, vertical DI cartridge, color changing DI resin, and disclosure of the quality and specs on each filter stage. Look for a vendor with a good reputation for support after the sale.

Some things to avoid: horizontal DI stage, GAC after the DI, off brand/no-name membrane and prefilters.

Russ @ BFS

 

[Colin]

Russ, why are clear housings so important?

Thanks,

--Colin

 

[DarG]

Clear housing are mostly important for the color changing resins in the DI stage/stages ... so you can see when the resin changes color.

 

[AZDesertRat]

Clear housings are not that important, people just like to see whats inside. They can actually be detrimental if you mount the unit where it is exposed to sunlight or bright lighting as they can promote algae growth inside the housings. They are also constructed out of a plastic that is more brittle and susceptible to cracking if you have high pressures or pressure surges (water hammer) .

 

[Buckeye Hydro]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9626372#post9626372 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Colin
Russ, why are clear housings so important?

Thanks,

--Colin

I wouldn't say they are "so important" - just something that most people like - based upon the sales in this hobby.

They are useful for seeing color changing resin, and are often useful as well to keep an eye on your sediment filter.

Russ @ BFS

 

[woodycb]

Kent marine maxxima 4 stage ro/di unit makes great water. 50 gal per day. drsfostersmith.com

 

[Fishbulb2]

I like buckeyefieldsupply, filterguys, and spectrapure (although their prices have gone up considerable).

 

[hohmfree]

I have a Kent Maxxima RO/DI. I have had it for over 7 years. Very easy to find replacement filters, and excellent water quality.