RO questions.............

[DevIouS]

Are the RO units on the *auction site* any good?
They're pretty cheap, even for a 6 stage.
Is there anything I should look for when purchasing one?

Would I get by with just a RO or is the DI a must have?
After the water is filtered, do any chemicals have to be added to replenish?

Sorry for all the questions. Still learning.

 

[jhale]

ro/di units on ebay are fine.

get the DI unit for reef tanks.

depending on what salt, and additives you use, you might not need to add anything to it.

I like the one I got with clear filter chambers.

 

[Deanos]

4 stage RO/DI

This is the one I ordered last week. My tap water's TDS is between 50-60 ppm, so I didn't feel I needed a 6-stager.

Here are some other MR recommended sites:

Aquatic Reef Systems

Air Water Ice

Buckeye Field Supply

 

[Deanos]

In speaking with several reps from RO/DI companies, a RO only unit will remove 90-98% of TDS from the water (no matter where the TDS starts). So even the great tap water we have in NYC will still have 3-8 TDS after RO filtering. DI removes the last of the TDS.

Also, check out this thread. I received great advice from it.

Dean

[ July 06, 2005, 01:53 PM: Message edited by: Deanos ]

 

[marrone]

I would also get one that has the 5 gal tank. It's not alot more but it's worth having specially if you have a large tank and you need to make alot of water.

I also use the 5-stage as my water isn't that bad and I get a 0 read with it.

[ July 06, 2005, 01:52 PM: Message edited by: marrone ]

 

[nanoreefer22]

I have one of the ebay units. The brand is Aquasafe Systems and they have a good reputation on RC.com as well as on ebay. It works well and its a 6 stage.

 

[House of Laughter]

ebay = you get what you pay for

Not that the units arent' any good, but, when something goes wrong, who fixes it? For another $100 you'll get unprecedented service from ARS in the link above - they also have a Value Line - $159 of RO/DO's - also, recommend getting the auto shut off and a float switch.

I love mine from ARS

House

[ July 06, 2005, 02:42 PM: Message edited by: House of Laughter ]

 

[DevIouS]

Thanks for all the advice, fellas.

Dean:
How's that unit working for you?

House:
I feel you.
That's not a bad price.

 

[glipper69]

I bought a 4 stager from Ebay about 4 years ago, I still have the same unit and it still works perfectly. RO/DI is the way to go.

Frank

 

[Deanos]

Phil, I haven't gotten it yet. It was shipped yesterday.

 

[maxpower2112]

Hey Deanos,
i need a RO/DI also and would like to know if you got your unit yet for $90? it kinda looks too good to be true
Don

 

[Deanos]

Not yet. It was shipped USPS Parcel Post from FLA.

It does look too good to be true, but other sellers on eBay have 6 stagers for that price. I've seen 4 stage units sell for $69.00 + shipping.

[ July 07, 2005, 01:25 PM: Message edited by: Deanos ]

 

[maxpower2112]

thats true, but in all fairness, the unit doesn't have to be absolutly top notch since we realy do have the best tap water around. at least thats what im hoping.
BTW, it it really free shipping?
thanks Dean
Don

 

[Deanos]

It's free shipping if your eBay feedback score is 10 or more. It also includes a cheapo TDS meter.

 

[maxpower2112]

is that TDS meter actually usefull or no?
did you get the unit yet? would really like to hear how well it works.
thanks

 

[DevIouS]

Me too.....

 

[Deanos]

Well I received my unit today. It was well packaged in form-fitting foam. It lacked instructions, but you get what you pay for. The HM digital TDS meter includes a snazzy leather/pleather case with a beltclip .

Here's what the owner had to say about the stages:
"Stage 1 is a 1 micron sediment filter Harmsco, Stage 2 is a 1 micron carbon block (matrix), Stage 3 is a 75 GPD RO Membrane (Dow Filmtek), Stage 4 is a Mix bed color change Deionization chamber, Resin by Resintech. The DI chamber also utilizes a refillable resin cartridge to save you money on refills in the future. As an added bonus we have upgraded the TDS meter included in this auction to our hm digital."

The new meter is definitely more accurate than the one I had before. My tap now tests at a max of 40ppm, and bottled RO water tests at 2ppm instead of nearly 20ppm with the old meter.

The real test will be 0 ppm after running through the unit. With tap TDS around 40ppm, I hope the DI resin and RO membrane last several years.

 

[maxpower2112]

thanks dean, ill go order one now.
Take care,
Don

 

[Davidkirschenbaum]

how much was it and where did you order it from.
David

 

[marrone]

Dean

I don't see any pressure gage of cutoff switch.


Michael