Which RO/DI Unit should I get?

[thorsen]

I am looking to buy a RO/DI or RO or DI unit. There are lots and I have no idea what to get. I read that the Kent Marine Maxxima RO/DI Units are the best and was going to purchase one of these. Is it worth the extra $150 or so? If someone will give me their wise opinion on which one to buy and I'll happily order it. Thanks.

 

[szwab]

check out either buckeyefieldsupply or airwaterice.com both have good service and great pricing. I'd go for a 75 gpd membrane as they are the most efficient. All in all the units themselves are pretty basic. make sure they have filmtec membranes though.

 

[michaeldaly]

Get the cheapest one you can find, the quality difference is nominal.

 

[szwab]

yes all the components are basically the same. you are mostly paying for the name brand

once labled for aquariums retailers know they can atg on extra $$$

 

[Norboo]

Typhoon III

I just hooked up mine last night. I am very happy with it. Customer service is also great.

 

[BenH98]

Look up "Filters Direct" on e-bay. They have a lot of filters to choose from... mostly less than $100

 

[ravenr]

I researched before buying...I wound up going to MarineDepot and getting the Kent Maxxima RO/DI...No shipping charge on the order. The only thing you need to decide is how much water do you need to make? 24, 35, 50 or 60 gpd...

 

[szwab]

don't forget those rates are under perfect conditions realistically anywhere from 60-80% of the rated number

 

[AZDesertRat]

Typhoon III. The two who said get the cheapest and get a Filter Direct are sadly mistaken and should not be recommending things they know little or nothing about. There is a huge difference in the quality of components, namely the membranes and the DI filters. Cheap and FD strike out on both.

 

[frank2926]

hey desert ....Have you seen the Eskimo model?
I was curious if the lower temperatures really double rejection rates like they claim?

 

[ReeferKeith]

Another vote for the Typhoon III. I have not had any problems with it at all. Great unit and 0 TDS. For the price it is the best out there. Comes with a water pressure gauge, and a TDS meter. All n all you will not be disappointed. Good luck!

*edit*

I forgot to mention it also has an RO only output, that is perfect for making water for your iced tea maker!

 

[ste6168]

i do not have one yer (i can hear the screaming already :lol: ) but i am going to get the typhoon, you cannot beat the price with the tds meter and everything.

HTH, Mike

 

[shag26272]

AZDesertRat
does the typhoon 3 use something different then the filmtec membrane? You said that the membranes and DI are the difference between it and the ebay models.

 

[frank10]

can you add a DI filter to an existing RO system?

 

[AZDesertRat]

The Typhoon uses a Dow Filmtec 75 GPD membrane which is the best you can get. Most e-bay units use Applied Membranes or GE Water which both require higher pressures to produce the same amount of water and sometimes at lower rejection rates. Some even use Chinese knock offs and claim they are made in the US but will not tell you whose they are. Beware of vendors that do not specifically state what components go in to their units and that make outlandish claims on efficiencies and filter life. It it looks too good to be true you can bet it is.

 

[Ten33]

Go with the Typhoon, I recently got mine and I am very satisfied. I almost went with an Ebay vendor, but I believe that would have been a mistake after thoroughly researching many different models.

 

[szwab]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6670353#post6670353 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by frank10
can you add a DI filter to an existing RO system?

yes you just need to get another canister and DI cartridge. Hook it up to the output of the RO. then the output of the DI becomes the output of the whole unit. you can do this for about 40 bucks or less and Viola you have converted to RO/DI.

 

[zatlinrf]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6634916#post6634916 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BenH98
Look up "Filters Direct" on e-bay. They have a lot of filters to choose from... mostly less than $100

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6667299#post6667299 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AZDesertRat
Typhoon III. The two who said get the cheapest and get a Filter Direct are sadly mistaken and should not be recommending things they know little or nothing about. There is a huge difference in the quality of components, namely the membranes and the DI filters. Cheap and FD strike out on both.

I agree with the filter direct unit recomendation, and I DO have experience with it. I am on my second unit from them. My first one broke because I had it hooked up outside in North Carolina, and did not bring it in before first winter freeze, so the water froze and cracked the housing. MY FAULT, not the companies. I have had my second one for over a year now with no leaks or problems. I just replaced all my filters except the RO membrane yesterday because my TDS was steadily creeping up to around 25. After a few gallons of flushing, my nasty San Diego tap water which reads 550 PPM TDS is coming out at 0-1. So where is the quality coming up short? I don't know. I am totally pleased, and love my 6 stage unit with 3 gallon pressure tank for around $125. Just my experience, since some say there is none out there.

 

[narcist21]

I got mine from airwaterice.com The compact reefkeeper, it was a breeze to set up and has been working perfectly for three months. It cost $139 and the city water is very poor. Going in is over 550 TDS and the output is 0 TDS.

 

[311Style]

Dont mean to ninja a thread but what do you guys think about this RO/DI

http://cgi.ebay.com/AQUA-SAFE-100GP...437211872QQcategoryZ20684QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Only reason I ask is because im working on this reef on a students budget and im trying to get a new skimmer/sump going.. But I figure this is most important at this point.