Kold-Steril vs. RO

[bigsink]

Anyone have experience using Poly-Bio Marine Kold-Steril on their reef tank? I own one and would prefer to use it versus purchasing an RO unit that wasyes sooo much water.

PS- Don't tell my friends from the cichlid-forum that I am starting a reef tank.

 

[jf2381]

You are done.
I'm telling everyone at nycichlids.

 

[bigsink]

Rats, I am BUSTED!

 

[loismustdie]

I have one. If you want to use it, I felt it did nothing for PO4. An option for this unit is to run your water through the filter and tag a satellite DI resin chamber or 2 after the filter.
I don't feel they are very good on their own.

 

[NYreefNoob]

< nycichlad member

i just donated 13 cichlads to lfs

 

[cali_reef]

Chris, did you use the activated alumina for absorption of phosphates, silicates and fluorides?

 

[loismustdie]

Yes.

 

[bigsink]

loismustdie, do you have pics available of your unit? Can you reccomend a DI chamber to add? I am pretty clueless about this stuff. Any help would be appreciated. Am I better off just getting a RO/DI? Your thoughts please. Kold-Steril is not highly thought of. If I am going to be spending a ton of $$$, whats another $250

 

[jf2381]

Get yourself the RO/DI and use the waste water for your cichlid water changes..

 

[bigsink]

Great idea, but since I started using the Kold-Steril on my Tanganyikans they breed Much more frequently. Just wanted to see what works for others.

Thanks

 

[loismustdie]

I would speak to Pierce (calireef). He has one and I cannot speak for water quality from LI tap sources. Here in the city, our tap water has a TDS usually below 35. So for me in the city, I wasn't very happy with the Kold Steril on its own since it didn't do very well on PO4, but it did very well with DI resin added on.
I use this one from www.aquasafecanada.com. Only difference is I set mine up so the tube sits vertical for better performance.

 

[crox99]

Bigsink

Welcome to MR. I use RO/DI and I don't care about the waste and the water is always perfect. Unfortunately I don't have any experience with Poly-bio.

 

[bigsink]

Thanks for the welcome and kind words.

 

[Kedd]

I would not use the Kold-Steril for your reef, I had one a few years ago and was back to the RODI in a week.
I think a DI added to the Kold-Steril would slow it up too much, and you still would have lower quality.
The water quality is no where near a RODI, but it was much better than tap.
It is a great unit though if something happens and you need a lot of water in a hurry.
Just my thoughts.

Kedd

 

[tomzpc]

I also owned one several years ago and it didn't remove the phosphates or silicates from my tap sufficiently, even with the special media. IMO, it is only good as a pre-filter for an RO/DI or DI system when the water is to be used for marine aquariums. On top of being ineffective, the unit and the replacement media are also overpriced.

If you only concern is waste-water, can you find another use for the waste water? Some use it for clothes washing, plant watering, etc.

I don't worry about it since I'm on a well. The water just returns to the ground from which it came.

 

[bigsink]

Good to see another Mets fan! My decision is to get the RO/DI. I will mix the excess water with the Kold-Steril water to perform water changes on my cichlid tanks. I have 20 Tanganyikan tanks currently running and do about 500 gallons a week in water changes. Unless, I can find someone to take the Kold-Steril unit off my hands. What RO/DI unit would you guys reccomend? I will be running a 75 gallon tank when I finally set it up.

Thanks!

 

[tomzpc]

I like the typhoon III from air water & ice. http://airwaterice.com/

If you have questions about RO/DI systems Walter or Brad there are very helpful and honest. That being said, I have a Kent Maximma that I bought several years ago (after I realized that the Kold-steril wasn't cutting it). It's a solid unit but overpriced.

 

[bigsink]

Please share why you feel it is overpriced. This was the product that I was leaning toward.