Just curious on some of your thoughts. I have a 75 gallon reef tank with 20 gallon sump/refugium and already spent so much. Is an RODI with TDS meter (around $200) a good investment.
OR
do most of you recommend just lugging water from the LFS and mix it yourself. Seems like alot of money and with filter changes it more. I cant see it ever paying for itself - is it just there a benefit im missing.
P.S. Im gonna buy it regardless - im an addict!
I think its a great investment, but of course it depends if you have the room for it.
My tank is half your size and I just purchased RODI.
Considerations:
You have a 95 gallon tank.
1) 10% water change is around 10 gallons a week
2) Access to RODI water for topping off
3) Emergency use.....50% water change maybe?
4) Making RODI takes time, require space for storage tanks/Brute containers
5) Waste water considerations....separate container for washing clothes, car, gardening etc (can reduce the waste by 1/2 with Saver kit, basically 2nd RO membrane)
6) You can plump your RODI to allow you access to RO water for drinking IF you believe in that. (you CANNOT drink the RODI water though)
7) RO membrane last for a couple of year.....on average
8) filters last around 6 months depending on your water supply tds (TDS meter will tell you when you need to change by the numbers)
9) DI resin.....no idea
hope it helps
I believe BRS and Spectrapure are both really good.
Built-in Dual TDS meter are very useful, you just flick the switch to see both tds on RO water and final RODI water (which should be 0).
Buying one separately would cost you $32, a simple handheld one is $20 but it means you can test anything, tap water, RO section, RODI final water, water in your containers, your mate's. You would like I said in point 6 need to DIY your unit to allow you to test the RO water, easy if you plan to use it for drinking.
