What's the advantage/disadvantage between RO vs. RO/DI Units

[ger]

Can anybody explain me why (or if) a RO/DI water purifier is better than just an RO Unit? What does Reverse Osmosis accomplish? What does the Deionization accomplish?

 

[mountainbiker619]

http://www.aquaticreefsystems.com/About ... smosis.htm

 

[O P Ing]

hi.
DI just remove some of the ions that managed to pass thru the RO membrane. There is nothing bad about using DI except for the extra cost and space, but if the RO water is really good already, the DI will last a long time (several hundred gallons per cartidge).

In a nut shell, DI remove chemicals that have an electric charge (ions), while RO remove chemials that have a large hydrated size (large molecules).

 

[Anonymous]

i sometimes vary between using just RO or RO/DI depending upon my source. is one better than the other and if so, which?

sorry to hijack this thread but it's the appropriate subject. :wink:

 

[LFS42]

I think O P said it best.
I personaly only use DI because of the amount I may need at any certain time. And there is no waste water involved.
When I get called to service a tank, I can take my DI unit with me and purify all the water I want (as fast as i can).
But IMO, RO/DI is the ultimat set-up.

 

[ChrisRD]

is one better than the other and if so, which?

Assuming both units are working correctly and still have functional cartridges, RO/DI should be more pure.

 

[ger]

Coralshrimp,
when you say "depending on your source", do you mean depending on the water quality you have available? If so, how do you know the quality of your source?