RO/DI units...

[Ken668]

What I don't get is, if my "low ball" e-bay unit has been consistently giving me 0ppm for almost 2 years now. How is a $300 unit supposed to be any better? How is this "cutting corners"? I just don't see any added benefit for the extra $200. Maybe if I was going through 20,000 gallons on a regular basis, but then I'd probably step up to a different level system all together. Sorry, I'm not convinced of the price difference.

 

[Krazy]

I'm probably gonna go with the $ 199.00 - OCEAN REEF 4 FIVE STAGE RO/DI 75 OR 100 GPD because it comes with everything, the pressure gauge, the connection options, for $14 more the filter upgrade...

Seems like a good price to me !

 

[Thefilterguys]

Ken if your getting 0 TDS that's great don't mean to offend you but it doesn't work the same for everyone. My point is for a few dollars more you get a lot more then you get from a drink water import. If you have a horizontal DI housing and your RO TDS is 20 you'll get less then 100 gallons of production water before exhaustion. Thats figuring a 100 GPD membrane with a tap water TDS of 200. Once resin is exhausted it starts throwing back TDS into your water which is anti productive.

Jim

 

[jallard]

FWIW we are putting together a group buy from SpectraPure and they are offering New MaxCap RODI system (90GPD) $225 just throwing it out there

 

[Krazy]

Amy and Linda ...

Let me know what you two think.. I am going to order from the filter guys.. Perhaps they can give the 3 of us a little price break on a combined order...

I'd like to order 2-3 weeks from now tops...

 

[Cruella]

I am game. I am lost as far as this resin,controlers mechanics of the thing working. picking one out that is fair in price and I will get that one too.

 

[Krazy]

I plan on the $ 199.00 - OCEAN REEF 4 FIVE STAGE RO/DI 75 OR 100 GPD with a $14 upgrade for the better filters... Seems like a GREAT deal to me and hopefully the filter guys can hook us up with a deal and maybe Linda C can get on this as well !!!

Filter guys: We've got 2 !!!

 

[1SickReefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7950693#post7950693 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Thefilterguys
Hi Guys;

Just happen to catch your post and though I'd put my two cents in on RO/DI systems now that we have a little more freedom as RC sponsors.

If you price out what a new set of quality filters and a membrane cost you'll so realize the e-bay systems are low ball all the way around. Two thousand gallon or less capacity carbon block filters generic membranes with no ratings and horizontal DI housings with low capacity. With a quality system you get filters rated for 20,000 gallons of chlorine capacity a Filmtec membrane rated for 50 psi operating pressure. A full sized refillable DI housing with over three times the resin which is top grade. The purity of the water we put in our tank is most important yet we want to cut corners I don't get it.

Jim

Amen my brotha

 

[1SickReefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7950969#post7950969 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ken668
What I don't get is, if my "low ball" e-bay unit has been consistently giving me 0ppm for almost 2 years now. How is a $300 unit supposed to be any better? How is this "cutting corners"? I just don't see any added benefit for the extra $200. Maybe if I was going through 20,000 gallons on a regular basis, but then I'd probably step up to a different level system all together. Sorry, I'm not convinced of the price difference.

you keep saying this $300 figure.... I pointed out 3 systems that were below 200 and one at 150.

For $150 you can get a quality unit with quality filters inside of it.

What did you pay for your Ebay unit? 99$? Did you get a pressure gauge? how about a TDS meter? or maybe a Float valve for free? Do you still have the horz DI? that holds 1/3 less resin than a standard 10" canister.

It's cheaper to buy a $150 unit from PurelyH2o than it is to buy a $99 from Ebay.


p.s if you have not changed ANY of your filters in 2 years, either you have VERY low (like below 20) starting TDS or your TDS meter is stuck on 0 ......

 

[1SickReefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7951609#post7951609 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Krazy K
I plan on the $ 199.00 - OCEAN REEF 4 FIVE STAGE RO/DI 75 OR 100 GPD with a $14 upgrade for the better filters... Seems like a GREAT deal to me and hopefully the filter guys can hook us up with a deal and maybe Linda C can get on this as well !!!

Filter guys: We've got 2 !!!

Now that's the kind of unit I like to see ppl supporting there several thousand dollar investment with a fine choice indeed.

 

[jallard]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7951693#post7951693 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 1SickReefer
What did you pay for your Ebay unit? 99$? Did you get a pressure gauge? how about a TDS meter? or maybe a Float valve for free? Do you still have the horz DI? that holds 1/3 less resin than a standard 10" canister.

p.s if you have not changed ANY of your filters in 2 years, either you have VERY low (like below 20) starting TDS or your TDS meter is stuck on 0 ......

So what's the big deal if the horizontal canister holds 1/3 less resin...it doesn't make the unit inferior. Just means you have to change the resin a bit more often, no big deal considering the weekly maintenance we all probably do.

FWIW my $99 ebay ro/di unit also gets 0ppm and my tds meter is not stuck on 0

 

[Thefilterguys]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7951763#post7951763 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jallard
So what's the big deal if the horizontal canister holds 1/3 less resin...it doesn't make the unit inferior. Just means you have to change the resin a bit more often, no big deal considering the weekly maintenance we all probably do.

FWIW my $99 ebay ro/di unit also gets 0ppm and my tds meter is not stuck on 0

Lets not fight but I can tell you many hobbyists are reactive instead of proactive. Hey my tank doesn't look right I better start checking things. We buy things now with good intensions and put them into use six months from now.

I started with an e-bay system years ago but I only had nanos then and my RO TDS is only 1 with a tap of 66. For the systems I have now the e-bay system wouldn't cut it.

Jim

 

[jallard]

outta the tap my water is over 500ppm I have well water and with my e-bay unit im rarely over 3ppm and usually at 0ppm when im on top of it.

Im not knocking any single unit, because besides craftmanship there isn't IMO a ton of difference. Water is forced through a series of filters....thats its purpose that's it. Having said that, YES some filters and media are inferior and wont last.

As for GPD ratio that in it self is misleading to the consumer, cause there are variables which prevent some from ataining 100gpd. Low well or water pressure and temp too.

 

[Lakeside518]

Our well water after water system is 120-125 ppm TDS and after drinking system RO its 10-12 ppm

Its 0 ppm (ZERO) With our EBAY 100 gpd 6 stage RO/DI system that was $99

Can't beat it. Only thing i would do is upgrade it to clear filter casings.

 

[1SickReefer]

Horizontal DI is IN FACT inferior. Channeling can occur in that hollow tube resulting in water not making contact with the resin. as you can see by the resin bubbling all around.. in a true 10" standard Vert DI water is forced through the resin.... it's a huge difference.

I too once believed that the filter direct and other ebay units were "just as good" it was not till I read and understood the difference and bought a new set of filters did I see for myself.

On top of that I own a FD 6100DI2 from ebay I know how they perform. it wont be till you replace all the filters and chuck the cheap tubes for 10" that you will see that difference for yourself.

 

[1SickReefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7952063#post7952063 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lakeside518
Our well water after water system is 120-125 ppm TDS and after drinking system RO its 10-12 ppm

Its 0 ppm (ZERO) With our EBAY 100 gpd 6 stage RO/DI system that was $99

Can't beat it. Only thing i would do is upgrade it to clear filter casings.

Why are you only getting 10% rejection from your membrane?.

If it were a true DOW membrane you would see 1 -2 ppm after your RO and not 10 - 12.

So in fact you can beat it

 

[TA]

FWIW, there are alot of reefers out there who swear by their ebay-bought units....just do a search. Bottom line is they get TDS down to zero.

I'm sure there are more quality-built units out there, but the average reefer would rather spend their money elswhere...especially if they can pick up a cheaper unit that can deliver the same level of water purity as a more expensive unit.

btw, my unit (ebay bought ) has been in service for almost two years, replaced all cartridges once (except RO membrane - which, btw, is manufactured by the same company found in the more expensive units - YES it IS DOW), and continues to put out zero TDS.

Also, replacement cartrdges are relatively cheap (5 years worth for about $50; not including the RO membrane).

Just my $0.02

Besides, I've got more important things to worry about other than whether my RO/DI unit is putting out zero TDS or 5. It just don't matter.

 

[Lakeside518]

The 10-12 ppm is only on the drinking water system with pressure tank. Has nothing to do with the Ebay RO/DI

It would prolly perform better if i changed the filter membrane on it. I can't remember how long it has been on that. I would imagine 2 years. Thats not the filter system used for my aquariums. I have to diff. systems. Three water systems in all installed here.

O ppm TDS from the 6 stage 100 gpd. I would consider swapping out my canisters with clear 10" ones and new filters when the time approaches. This filter has only been installed for one month.

 

[jallard]

0ppm is 0ppm no matter how you get there. There are a lot of companies out there that take advantage of the hobbyists love of there tank and charge much more for a system because of its target audience. This holds true for just about everything from lighting to filters and EVERYTHING in between.

I for one have bought cheap only to upgrade to much better equipment later and in the end yes it cost me more. I just haven't justified spending the extra cash on a "better" ro/di yet...dont see the need

The ro/di debate looms all over RC....

 

[Phyxius]

I bought the following from the filter guys:
OCEAN REEF + 1 FIVE STAGE 75 GPD RO/DI
with the better filters added and ro bypass. Had it configured slightly different and Jim did it no problems. This thing by far BLOWS away the filter direct unit I used to have. Water output is much better, has pressure gauge, TDS meter, all clear canisters, better membrane and great online and phone support. My pressure was a little low so I do run these units through a pressure pump and did a side by side comparison and the Ocean reef in my opinion just worked better than the filter direct model I got off Ebay. The 75 gpd model puts out more water a day than my old 110gpd from filter direct did. Both did get the TDS down to zero on the output side of the unit.

Not bashing one or the other but just posting my opinion on the better one after owning both....