The Filter Guys Reef Miser System

[JohnV8r]

I'm in the California foothills where water is expensive because of how clean it is (has to be returned to the watershed in same condition it was taken out which requires significant treatment). That coupled with the drought was enough motivation for me to want to upgrade my existing RO/DI system to something more efficient. I really wasn't too excited about the idea of dumping my old system and buying something completely new.

Enter The Filter Guys.

I was pleasantly surprised that Jim at The Filter Guys took the time to review an emailed photo of my RO/DI system and tell me what I needed to add to make my system more efficient. Most companies would have told me I needed to buy their complete RO/DI system. That kind of personalized service is rare and appreciated.

The performance numbers are amazing. My old system would produce 4 gallons of waste water for every 1 gallon of RO/DI water. Adding the additional membrane kit that essentially turned my system into a Reef Miser Dual Six Stage RO/DI system dropped my waste water to 1.25 gallons for every 1 gallon produced. That will save me an estimated 240 gallons each month.

The other nice benefit with that is how much more quickly my RO/DI is produced. I was really surprised by that.

Here's what the system looked like after a few snips to add the additional membrane:



I had a great experience with The Filter Guys and am super happy with the results.

 

[ksed]

Jim is fantastic. Can't beat his service.

 

[loup]

Very interesting. Can you tell what was the part number of the extra membrane you bought? I would like to do the same as i am around the same area.

 

[millionmanus]

Bulk reef supply has an upgrade kit like that. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-150-gpd-water-saver-upgrade-kit.html

 

[JohnV8r]

My invoice refers to it as a "Dual Membrane Kit No Restrictor." However, I called Jim after sending him an email with a photo of my system. I would suggest you do the same to be sure you get what you need. Having lived in Elk Grove myself, I think you will need to adjust the water pressure on the bell housing that goes into your house so you are at 70 lbs of water pressure or get a booster pump.

Here are instructions on how to adjust the pressure:

http://www.eid.org/index.aspx?page=274

Good luck.

 

[loup]

Thanks. I will look into this.

 

[JohnV8r]

Nothing against Bulk Reef Supply as I order from them regularly, but on an item like this where you are upgrading your existing system they just are not set up for the kind of personalized customer service required.

BRS, Aquacave, and Premium Aquatics all do great jobs with information and customer service on the products they sell. However, this is a different animal. If you're trying to get better performance out of your RO/DI system are you going to go to someone who only deals with water filtration or are you going to go to Target/K-Mart? That would be like taking a 1965 Corvette to a Chevrolet dealer for a tune up. Do you want someone who would have to look at a manual to figure out what do or someone who deal with vintage 'vettes everyday?

 

[millionmanus]

I run BRS 5 stage with the upgrade I linked. I have 0 TDs. Great water refraction rate. Took me 5 minutes to upgrade. Not sure how much customer service, "better filters", or performance I could get from the the filter guys. But hey.. Not my money to waste.

 

[Salty Irishman]

Filters guys are awesome to work with. Bought my miser system from them years ago and have been quite pleased since.