badwhiskey Posted November 21, 2014 Share Posted November 21, 2014 Is there anything that will work decent without breaking the bank? Anything I can attach to my sink and would actually produce clean water? I use Glacier machines at the store but ready to start making my own water...i have a 30g nano Link to comment
atrox Posted November 21, 2014 Share Posted November 21, 2014 Craigslist or used equipment forums. Link to comment
Neebles Posted November 21, 2014 Share Posted November 21, 2014 The only problem with going cheap is you get what you pay for. I went cheap for my first unit and the filters didn't last very long. When I went to replace the filters they cost more than the unit itself. Just something to think about.... Link to comment
HotRodScamp Posted November 21, 2014 Share Posted November 21, 2014 Best prices I've found are at http://filterdirect.com/ Link to comment
Mariaface Posted November 21, 2014 Share Posted November 21, 2014 I second the 'craigslist and used equipment forums' post, but seriously: Don't think of it as 'breaking the bank'. Think of it as paying in advance for the amount you're going to save in comparison to buying RO/DI water (don't just use RO water, by the way) elsewhere, and think of it as paying for actually trustworthy, clean water that means less algae fuel and less going out to get water. And the knowledge that you can keep a reservoir in your home anywhere it'll fit for emergency water changes, and have the ability to filter your own water just in case as well. Link to comment
TristanC Posted November 21, 2014 Share Posted November 21, 2014 Spectrapure refurb unit from their website is an excellent value. Link to comment
hwk7072 Posted November 21, 2014 Share Posted November 21, 2014 The only problem with going cheap is you get what you pay for. I went cheap for my first unit and the filters didn't last very long. When I went to replace the filters they cost more than the unit itself. Just something to think about.... +1 Bought an RO buddie for about $85 including the DI module. Soon after ended up spending $180 on a Spectrapure, which is worlds ahead (from a recommendation on this list). It seems I could have gotten a refurb directly from the mfg. at about $130 though. LST, I ended up paying more than going high quality the first time. I keep doing that! Live and learn. Link to comment
itzju Posted November 21, 2014 Share Posted November 21, 2014 I've been using a cheap ebay RO/DI 5 stage system since 09 and have had no issues with it. When it was time to change out the filters, i went ahead and ordered from BRS, the same ones they use on their system. i make about 150 Gallons a month, no issues. I did however buy a booster pump but that was by choice, I was getting about 45PSI from my water source and though it could be better. might even order the 150gpd upgrade from BRS to put it on my system down the road. Link to comment
le0p Posted November 21, 2014 Share Posted November 21, 2014 +1 Bought an RO buddie for about $85 including the DI module. Soon after ended up spending $180 on a Spectrapure, which is worlds ahead (from a recommendation on this list). It seems I could have gotten a refurb directly from the mfg. at about $130 though. LST, I ended up paying more than going high quality the first time. I keep doing that! Live and learn. ++1 I still have an RO Buddie with DI. It works alright but the filter cartridges don't last very long and cost about as much as a whole new unit to replace all of them. I plan to upgrade to a better system, the cost over time with this unit is definitely high. Link to comment
Deleted User 8 Posted November 21, 2014 Share Posted November 21, 2014 This: http://spectrapure.com/FACTORY-REFURBISHED/Refurbished-90-GPD-RODI-System $124.99 Buzz Link to comment
AZDesertRat Posted November 21, 2014 Share Posted November 21, 2014 Don't buy a used RO/DI system. You almost always inherit someone elses problem and it will for sure need maintenance, filter replacements, often a membrane replacement and possibly upgrades to work correctly. It ends up costing more than the $125 you can buy a new reef quality RO/DI for from the best name in the business, Spectrapure. Water is the single largest ingredient in a reef system by far and everything depends on its quality and its stability so don't skimp when it comes to RO/DI. Even if you can find a $75 ebay quality system you can rest assured the membrane is not as efficient so DI will not last as long nor perform as well, the sediment filter is often very coarse so the carbon will plug or foul and need replacement more often, the carbon may be GAC versus a solid extruded carbon block so may only last as little as 300 total gallons(thats only 60 treated gallons and 240 waste gallons at the industry standard 4:1 waste ratio) to begin with and on and on. If it is worth doing, it is worth doing right the first time then you have no regrets. Link to comment
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