RO/DI recommendations vs chloramines?

[jamiesmithnc]

Hi All-

As my research continues prior to buying my first SW reef tank, I ended up with a question about RO/DI.

I looked up the water report for my area.

It shows that there are 1 - 3.25 ppm of chloramines in the water.

Any suggestions as to which brand of RO/DI that work out of the box for chloramines?

I will probably need two, one for ATO, and one elsewhere, for making my own water (and for water changes on the small freshwater tank that we have)

Thanks

 

[dyazdani]

SpectraPure has a thread on the topic here

Both SpectraPure and BRS have carbon filters that can be installed prior to the membrane to help improve the chloramine removal.

Why do you need two units?

 

[jamiesmithnc]

I was mostly thinking long-term. I will likely start out with one in the garage, to make the top-off and change water.

In the long run, when I get sick of carrying water, I will probably want to move to use one directly for the ATO.


By the way- thanks for the link- I am actually beginning to understand some of this stuff!

 

[dyazdani]

OK - understand now...how far is the tank from the garage?

 

[NSimpkins]

Not advocating for BRS but they have great videos that explain. My system is from them and I have been super happy. Easy to use and when it comes time for replacements they make it super easy. I also don't think you'll need two. If you're chewing through that much for auto changes etc to u could install a presurized tank. Not as difficult as it sounds that would keep some water on hand. I have 3 5 gallon jugs that have tops that I got online and 1 is for my ATO and 2 are for keeping on hand for water changes etc.

On a side note if you are using any for storing drinking water there is some debate as to if it is good to remove chloramines since it can kill bacteria that keep it out of your drinking water. Just something to think about.

http://aquarium.bulkreefsupply.com/...ore&method=and&view=grid&cnt=16&af=tab:videos

 

[jamiesmithnc]

I am thinking that I would put the first RO/DI right above the utility tub that is out there in the garage.

Distance depends upon which way I go- through the house (doors and such), probably 50 feet. Through the crawl, say 25.

In the crawl, immediately below where the tank will go, is the back-side of a hose bib, as well as a place that I could send the waste water (NOTE that I have NOT consulted a plumber about this- that might not work

One aspect of it that I don't like is that it looks like the bib is before the house main- so I wouldn't have a way to shut it off, short of going to the street.

 

[kriv4o]

I am sure someone else will chime in but I believe the rule of thumb is that you don't want your RO/DI to turn on and off very often(as it would if its connected straight to your ATO), because that lessens membrane life and leads to TDS creep.

 

[formsix]

We use the BRS add on for chloramines and it seems to work just fine.

I know some people hook the RODI directly to an ATO, but I've also read a number of stories where the ATO has stuck on and flooded the tank with fresh water. So personally I'm not comfortable with an ATO holding more than 5 gallons of fresh water, but it is a trade off for convenience.