***RO/DI selection HELP! Salt Mix HelpWhat brand is good? what do you all use?

[champion6sigma]

Greetings,

I'm looking for help in figuring out what RO DI to purchase. I'm a customer of bulk reef supply but I know there are brands out there that they don't carry, such as marine depot carries seachem, spectrepure, aquafx...

I have a small tank right now...is there a savings of buying a larger than necessary system as far as replacing canasters down the road? I'm assuming these things don't "expire" they just last a certain amount of gallons...?

Are they all easy to use, allowing simple connections to bathtub or faucets in home? Is autoflush a good option, how do they work if they don't have auto or manual flush?

6-stage is probably not necessary but is 5? Does the 5 or 6 stage RODI last longer than the 4?

What kind of operating costs can I expect in replacement canisters between the brands? Is bulk reef the best value? Their best system is only 329...? Marine depots go all the way to 1000.

What salt is good to purchases from bulk or marine depot or other? I've never mixed my own salt water before....

Thanks for your responses,

Eric

I"m looking to buy within the next 24 to 48 hours!!!
:headwalls::spin2:

 

[Deleted member 336650]

I get my salt from Amazon. If you are a Prime member, shipping is free.

My Air Water Ice RODI was used, but I think new ones are less than 200.

 

[champion6sigma]

I get my salt from Amazon. If you are a Prime member, shipping is free.

My Air Water Ice RODI was used, but I think new ones are less than 200.

I lost my amazon account. They banned me because of excessive returns.

Never heard of air water ice will need to look them up...but are they only available on amazon?

I actually like the marine depot one, forgot brand, has a 2:1 waste or loss ratio. bulk reef doesn't even list lost on their specifications.

 

[Deleted member 336650]

air water ice

air water ice

AWI is a sponsor here. Scroll down to the sponsor threads. AWI was recommended by my LFS

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2550303

I think mine is a 2:1 waste. It is the Typhoon 5 with DI 75 gallon. Check the link for specials. I replace the 1st filter (around $4 at LFS) after approx 150 gallons. The rest are the ones that came with it (used) & I stlll get zero TDS

 

[Deleted member 336650]

Greetings,


Are they all easy to use, allowing simple connections to bathtub or faucets in home? Is autoflush a good option, how do they work if they don't have auto or manual flush?

I have mine set up with a faucet connection in our laundry room. I did have to get a hose adapter for my faucet since the supplied adapter did not fit my faucet. Mine has manual flush.

I'd get a TDS meter & PSI gauge also.

 

[TimeConsumer]

This is a pretty tough value to beat for an RODI: http://spectrapure.com/Refurbished-90-GPD-RODI-System

For salt I always liked Red Sea Blue Bucket.

 

[homer1475]

RO/DI is a must, what system you choose is up to you. When I first started out I bought my RO Buddie from petco(was basically free from accumulating points from buying dog food), so it was a no brainer for me. While it's not the most cost effective unit, and is only 75GPD unit, for my nano setup it's all I need.

With that being said, I will step up to a larger unit when I step up to a larger tank(spectrapure or BRS has my vote right now).

Salt is salt. Some have more organics in it, some have nothing for reef tanks and should only be used for FOWLR tanks. With salt I tend to buy cheaper salt and choose to dose my tank and water change water(cheaper in the long run in my eyes). In a nano you can almost get away with weekly water changes with a decent reef salt(I like Instant Ocean Reef Crystals) as apposed to dosing the tank.

 

[kmbyrnes]

I am quite happy with my BRS unit. Had it for over 2 years. It is plumbed under my laundry room sink and runs to a 55g barrel in the garage. I replace the resin 4 times a year and the filters twice. Very reasonable.
When I need to make salt, I use Instant Ocean, even in my reef. I don't grow SPS though. That might need Reef Crystals.

 

[Aceaviator182]

+1 on the BRS system. I use the value plus system and it works like a charm. If the 75GPD isn't enough for you, you can get an upgrade to a 150GPD down the road for pretty cheap.

 

[CStrickland]

This is a pretty tough value to beat for an RODI: http://spectrapure.com/Refurbished-90-GPD-RODI-System

That's what I've got. Works great and customer service is super profesh. It's nice to be able to get in touch with a water specialist right away, since rodi performance and maintenance cost depend so much on setting it up with proper pressure and flow. Even the most plug and play systems can save a ton on $ and water by taking a little time to get some basic parameters in order, customizing to your unique tap water, and doing basic maintenance like flushing new filters when you buy them and clearing tds creep before each use.

You can find that info through days and days of research, or you can deal with a good manufacturer. Water purification is really complicated, and important, but not especially interesting. I think any of the sponsors are fine for that. The low ratio claims are tempting, but the further you get from the standard 4:1 the higher the risk to your membrane so the larger the unit to compensate.

 

[champion6sigma]

Does autoflush make life easier? Will be a larger system make the membranes last maybe 50 percent longer? The price of a 90 compared to 180 is almost identical it seems.

Like this one
http://www.marinedepot.com/SpectraP..._Systems-SpectraPure-SP12292-FIRORDNH-vi.html

the 180 is 20 dollars more...

Would I be able to use these filters for an extreme longer time (double time) if i get the 180? Twice the time I guess?

I do want one with the pressure meters and gauges built in.

I'll have to check out reef salt and reef crystals. I do have coral and intend to get more. I'd prefer not to dose at this time...If I can kill two birds with one stone...that seems easier than having to buy dosing equipment, chemicals, and measuring levels....hoping I don't overdose accidentally... I think consistent water changes that have all the necessary components will be a mix and forget type thing I hope.

 

[CStrickland]

Maybe if you live someplace where they charge a fine for excessive water use. $450 seems cray to me when you can do so many things yourself to extend filter life.

 

[champion6sigma]

What about booster pumps for low flow? Did you guys get as an extra cost for your BRS RODI systems? I talked to guy at marine depot about spectrapure. he said i would need a 125 or 150 dollar booster if our home flow is on the low side...

No fines in texas for excessive water use. I'm just wondering if the bigger filter lasts longer or what extends the life of the canisters...such as autoflush or having a 180 compared to 90. Our water bill is maybe 25-45 a month and I don't pay any attention to water use. But a 4 to 1 system....means if I make 50 gallons a month..I'm using at least 200 gallons. Marine depot guy said you have to replace two canisters vs one when using bigger system...so it may end up being no benefit...depending on costs of canisters.

 

[TimeConsumer]

If you are really worried about reducing water usage a dual membrane system is probably your best bet. It will reduce the waste water in half and extend the life of your prefilters by double. Your DI will still consume at the same rate, and you will need to replace 2 membranes instead of 1 (but those last 3-5 years with proper care).

It doesn't look like anyone has asked yet, but do you have chloramines in your water? You may want to call your water department and find out. If so, I would opt for a 5-stage (dual carbon block) system with blocks designed to handle chloramines. BRS has options like this. Also Spectrapure has a 5-stage chloramine system for $180 and it comes with a TDS meter and a pressure gauge. http://spectrapure.com/Chloramine-Removal-90-GPD-RO-DI-System

 

[Itchy fishy]

I went with the 75 GPD from BRS, their plus model or mid grade. Very nicely built. Even comes with a couple different hookups. Found a 5 dollar off coupon online and shipping was free. A close second for me was the buckeye hydro. The user review pushed me over the edge on the BRS one.

 

[champion6sigma]

Can you guys please explain to me the ENTIRE process of making salt water...as far as YOUR way of doing it....from start to finish. Time it takes each one. Marinedepot guy said these hook up to outside faucet...but then I'm thinking...is this what everyone does? Takes a HUGE 6 stage RODI out there....2 large containers, maybe some smaller ones....salt....pumps...and have a party outdoors? Do you guys rig up a bathtub? I thought that buying something would make life easier, and one day it will, but I don't have the other accessories needed either. I've got one cheap pump laying around. I do not plan to heat any of this new water. I think room temp in my home is sufficient. But whats the easier method to do? I'm hoping to not have to physically pick up something that weights more than 5/10gallons.

 

[TimeConsumer]

A lot of people have mixing stations in their garage or fish room. They hook up the RODI and fill up one or both of the containers with water. Then they take one of the containers and add salt, and turn on the mixing pump. Voila, they now have 30+ gallons of RODI and 30+ gallons of saltwater for use whenever they like.

I never had that much room. I kept my RODI under my kitchen sink. When I made water it was 5 or 10g at a time. I would run the inlet hose out of my kitchen window (above my sink) to my spigot outside (just under the window). Then I stuck the wastewater line down the drain of the sink, and product water line into a 5g jug. If I was also mixing saltwater to do a change that day I would do that on the kitchen floor in a bucket or a brute. Once I was done I would put the hoses away and get my jugs out of the kitchen before my wife murdered me.

 

[CStrickland]

I don't have a lot of space either. If you can get it under the kitchen sink that's prolly best, you connect with a splitter where the faucet screws onto the house pipe. I've got an adapter from Home Depot for like $3 that you take off the faucet aerator and screw it on to give a hose fitting and I store my rodi by the tank when not in use.

For my 55 I make 5gallons for water change, and 7 (one bucket and 2 milk jugs) for evaporation every week. I just dissolve the salt for a half hour and add it. 10% cold water doesn't drop the temp that much. Some people keep vast quantities of water around, but it seems like overkill to me, especially in an apartment.

Waters pretty heavy, maybe look into something with casters like you put a trash can onto so you can wheel it around. Or some kind of cart. You could use the cheap pump to push most of the water up into the tank and only lift a little weight to dump the last bit in.

EDIT here's a pic of how it goes under the sink. The grey tube connects between the pipe and the faucet and the red waste line taps into the drain. I thought marine depot sold the splitter, maybe was brs

 

[champion6sigma]

I think the bathroom might be only good place. I already have an RO sytem under kitchen sink along with disposal and wifes things supplies...I have one big brute trash can...not sure if its worth using. and I have 5 or 6 5 gallon jugs that seal(what they sell at the LFS) which is what i've been using to pick up water. I'm wondering if I can predump a set amount of salt mix in a 5 gallon jug....then just have the RODI water flow into the jug or I can make a huge batch of rodi water in brute and then just top off two or three 5 gallon jugs with the water and the salt mix already in those and then just top off 2 or 3 other 5 gallon jugs for RODI standby...then dump the brute outside....and take out all the rodi system stuff out of bathroom area.

From what I can tell the 5 or 6 stage RODI's are huge...I don't think it can be a permanent fixture under anything.

My washroom is very small room leading out to garage. Garage is a work in progress.

I'm so behind in life. Getting farther every day it seems now.

Does the system just sit on the floor as all this happens for you all who don't have it mounted under kitchen sink?

 

[TimeConsumer]

Don't add water to salt, add salt to water. Otherwise you run the risk of causing some minerals to precipitate out.