Ro/di Units, Any Difference?

[DAN-O]

Is there any real difference in the brands or is one manufacturer the same as another. Also I don't see what the difference is in the GPD, why can't you use
the 25 GPD for two days to get 50 gallons of ro water. Are some units easier to change the cartridges and some more difficult. Please share your thoughts
so I can choose one to buy.

 

[KathyC]

Almost all of these units are identical with the exception of the number of 'stages' they contain. The cartridges from different manufacturers are usually interchangeable.
The GPD is purely a personal decision based on how fast you want to make water and how much you need to make. Keep in mind you may have a smaller tank now and 25 gpd is great for you now..but if you upgrade your tank in the future that 25 gpd might make you want to scream.
And who wants to leave the water running for 2 days anyway??

They're all about the same for changing cartridges.
Get the biggest one you can afford now...no point in having to upgrade it in the future.

Do you have one in mind?

 

[DAN-O]

spectrapure maxcap ro/di, 90 gpd

 

[tosiek]

Certain manufacturers use thinner plastic when molding the container part, others have a weaker design where u screw it in, some use metal for the bracing to hold em all together, some use plastic.

Thats pretty much the difference between them. Other than that they are pretty much the same aside from the toys they add on like the bypass and the primer.

 

[tosiek]

i got mine from http://www.airwaterice.com/

Also forgot the company but one of them has a bad return rate for people that end up with cracked pieces when they screw in the containers too much.

 

[KathyC]

Oh forgot...mine is also an Air Water Ice unit..and I love it.
Ideally you want one with clear containers on the lower section and be sure to get a TDS meter with it as that is the only way to tell if you need to replace the cartridges.
Check the site, but I think most of his new units come with a TDS meter, plus Walter gives great customer service

 

[DAN-O]

the typhoon seems very reasonably priced. as long as it does the job and they're all the same performance wise. thanks

 

[Tim]

Air Water Ice for me too, 75 gpd RODI. I have had it for 5 years no problem`s(knock on wood).....

 

[Killerdrgn]

Air Water Ice typhoon 3 for me too.

 

[DAN-O]

that's it, i'm sold! air water ice for me too. thanks everybody

 

[cali_reef]

Ideally, a) you want a unit with the least amount of waste ratio, most 50GPD are better than 100G. b) you want units with a clear filter cases so you can see the state of the pre-filters. c) get a unit with a refillable vertical DI stage, it will save you money in the long run. d) get a RO back flush kit with the unit, it will help prolong the RO membrane's useful life.

 

[KathyC]

Ideally, a) you want a unit with the least amount of waste ratio, most 50GPD are better than 100G.

Why is that Pierce? Knowing you, I'm sure you're correct,..just curious to the reason..

 

[suntzu]

Yeah, and what brand do you recommend?

 

[WoodRight]

I just got mine about 2 1/2 weeks ago. This is the link to it. It's the $199.00 one. I'm sure it work just as good as the ones above. it is made very well and I've seen allot of these being in building. The guys that sell them are very helpfull and there service so far is great. I don't know what you are looking to spend but I'm happy with this one. Also it is said to be a 75gpd and it's makes a 5gal pale in 50 min. that means it's making more then that. We do have over 100psi water pressure here so that might help. Our setup holds around 100gal and it took me 14 hours to make that amount. Here is a picture of ours.

 

[Lolli631]

Ideally, c) get a unit with a refillable vertical DI stage, it will save you money in the long run.

What are the advantages of having the DI vertical ? My DI cartridge sits horizontal on top of the unit.

 

[cali_reef]

Why is that Pierce? Knowing you, I'm sure you're correct,..just curious to the reason..

Something to do with the optimum pore size on the membrane and our typical water pressure. The guys at waterairice have a small write up on it

 

[cali_reef]

What are the advantages of having the DI vertical ? My DI cartridge sits horizontal on top of the unit.

Horizontal DI cartridge will not utilize the DI resin uniformly.

 

[cali_reef]

I just got mine about 2 1/2 weeks ago. This is the link to it. It's the $199.00 one. I'm sure it work just as good as the ones above. it is made very well and I've seen allot of these being in building. The guys that sell them are very helpfull and there service so far is great. I don't know what you are looking to spend but I'm happy with this one. Also it is said to be a 75gpd and it's makes a 5gal pale in 50 min. that means it's making more then that. We do have over 100psi water pressure here so that might help. Our setup holds around 100gal and it took me 14 hours to make that amount. Here is a picture of ours.

That is a nice system for the price, it has everything I would want if I was to throw away the three units I have and start over.

 

[caad3]

Great thread, and these prices are really good. I was looking to upgrade my coral life RO system as my membrane needs to be replaced and the price is 80 to 90 bucks. I was wondering if anybody knows of a cheaper membrane replacement that will work on the coralife RO units.

 

[Mak]

I just got my Air Water Ice typhoon 3 and I am very happy with it...