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6 Stages RO/Di system: what do you think of these?


aedificator

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I am now convinced that without a RODI system it will be hard, if not impossible to successfully care for my reef aquarium.

 

I looked at different posts on this forum and then checked on the web. I am not an expert but it is clear that their price are not cheap yet there is a fairly big selection.

 

I found these systems, what do you guys think? My budget is limited (within $150-$180 including shipping and taxes):

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/REEF-HOME-DRINKING-RO-DI-dual-output-REVERSE-OSMOSIS-PURE-WATER-FILTER-SYSTEM-/200803354291

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AQUARIUM-REEF-CORAL-REVERSE-OSMOSIS-SYSTEM-100-GPD-PURE-0-PPM-RO-DI-WATER-FILTER-/321170434629?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ac73fea45

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-Stage-100GPD-0PPM-RODI-Reef-Marine-Aquarium-Hydroponics-Reverse-Osmosis-System-/330708404969?pt=Small_Kitchen_Appliances_US&hash=item4cffc1cae9

 

I am looking for a starting system, and in a year or two, once i have mastered a little bit the reef system I plan to buy a bigger aquarium and a decent RODI, but for now I am curious if this could suffice the purpose.

 

 

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Marc.The.Shark

I use AquaSafeCanada system, $150 shipped & includes TDS meter. U really only need 5 stages, 3 prefilters, 1 RO membrane & 1 DI to get you to 0 TDS

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I use AquaSafeCanada system, $150 shipped & includes TDS meter. U really only need 5 stages, 3 prefilters, 1 RO membrane & 1 DI to get you to 0 TDS

You got a link for this... the only one i see for 150 doesn't look like t has the TDS meter

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Spectrapure, Spectrapure, Spectrapure, Spectrapure, Spectrapure, Spectrapure, Spectrapure!

 

http://spectrapure.com/Refurbished-90-GPD-RODI-System

 

$125 nothing more needed (except a TDS meter). You could upgrade at some point in the future by adding another DI unit, but not necessary.

 

One thing to note, any unit may need a booster pump if your water supply is on the low end of PSI. My tap is about 35psi and it won't make water at that low a pressure. The booster pump they have hits 80 PSI and is recommended if you have low pressure.

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Marc.The.Shark

Spectrapure seems like a decent unit, the only reason I didt go with one was the cost of replacement filters. They have that 3rd stage DI cartridge that you have to buy from them. I can get twice the filters for what they charge for replacements. Example, just replaced all my filters, bought this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Reverse-Osmosis-Replacement-Filter-Set-RO-Cartridges-12-pcs-w-100-GPD-Membrane-/251509310110?pt=Small_Kitchen_Appliances_US&hash=item3a8f1f829e

 

$65 and includes the 100gpd membrane, add DI beads to last 3 filter changes for another $20 & for $85 I have 3 sets of replacements vs 2 @ $45 ea with Spectrapure, PLUS a RO membrane. I'm in it for the long haul, saves me money. Plus I have more DI filtering capacity, won't exhaust the beads as fast.

 

To be honest, they all do the same thing, if I had to buy one all over again, prob buy a used one for $50-60 bucks with shot filters or get one from eBay for around $100 new. It's the replacement filters that drive the lifelong cost.

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If you can cancel that order please consider doing so before it is too late!

 

Staring from the beginning, they don't even list the micron rating of the sediment filter. Spectrapure uses a 1 micron near absolute filter so it protects the 1 micron 12,000 gallon capacity solid extruded carbon block. That system uses granular activated carbon good for a maximum of 300 total gallons, that is 240 waste gallons and ONLY 60 TREATED GALLONS at the normal 4:1 waste ratio! Not a value or good deal at all. The 100 GPD membrane is the worst possible choice of membranes there is, notice no reef quality vendors provide the 100 in their systems and all wil try to talk you out of buying one since it is intended for Pool and Spa use per the ANSI/NSF and not drinking quality water. They are rated at only 90% rejection rate or removal versus 96-98% for the 75 GPD which the Spectrapure starts out life as but gets improved upon via a special process.

 

Also note you did not get a DI stage which is the most important piece of a RO/DI and what gets the water to 0 TDS. Add a DI to what you purchased and you are actually more expensive and not less. What you have purchased is an inexpensive, low end drinking water filter of less than average quality. Not even close to reef quality and over priced for what you bought at best.

 

The quality of a real reef quality RO/DI is the cartridges, membrane and DI and unfortunately you did not get any of the same quality pieces. You get what you pay for with RO/DI.

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I saw that unit as well. AZDesertRat, would you care to explain the difference between the linked fixture above and the 5 stage maxcap system? Thanks

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The MaxCap uses an individually hand tested and guaranteed 99% rejection rate RO membrane followed by dual DI, their MaxCap DI followed by the SilicaBuster DI. The combination of the better membrane and the dual DI makes the cost of ownership much less in time due to less frequent DI replacements.

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The MaxCap uses an individually hand tested and guaranteed 99% rejection rate RO membrane followed by dual DI, their MaxCap DI followed by the SilicaBuster DI. The combination of the better membrane and the dual DI makes the cost of ownership much less in time due to less frequent DI replacements.

AZdesertrat,

 

Which spec Ro/di would u get?

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If you are in it for the long haul and your immediate budget will support it the MaxCap is the way to go. Having owned 6 different RO/DI systems over the last 12-15 years I have found there really is a difference and it is money well spent up front as it saved me from then on.

 

I have even migrated from a 90 GPD MaxCap to a dual membrane 180 GPD MaxCap then from there to the MaxCap UHE ultra low waste 7 years ago.

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If you are in it for the long haul and your immediate budget will support it the MaxCap is the way to go. Having owned 6 different RO/DI systems over the last 12-15 years I have found there really is a difference and it is money well spent up front as it saved me from then on.

 

I have even migrated from a 90 GPD MaxCap to a dual membrane 180 GPD MaxCap then from there to the MaxCap UHE ultra low waste 7 years ago.

 

These are the kit in my price range. I trying to keep it to around 150ish...

 

http://spectrapure.com/RO-RODI/RODI-SYSTEMS/Refurbished-90-GPD-RODI-System

 

or

 

http://spectrapure.com/RO-RODI/RODI-SYSTEMS/Chloramine-Removal-90-GPD-RO-DI-System

 

or

 

http://spectrapure.com/RO-RODI/RODI-SYSTEMS/MaxPureMPDI-90-GPD-RODI-System

 

or

 

http://spectrapure.com/RO-RODI/RODI-SYSTEMS/CSPDI-Standard-90-GPD-RO-DI-System

 

-Anthony

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If your budget is around $150 then stick with the refurbished system, its the best value in a reef quality RO/DI today. The only thing I would add is a handheld TDS meter, NOT an inline. Inlines have inherent problems and lack the accuracy or a good ATC handheld.

 

The refurbished system gives you all the same housings, inline pressure gauge and capilary tube flow restrctor as any of their other systems and you can always experiment with the lower micron sediment and carbon block filters and any of their DI replacements when the time comes for replacements at 6 months or so. I have no use for flush kits or inline TDS meters so they have no value in my opinion and are a waste of money. Keep the waste ratio where it should be and flushing does absolutely nothing except give you a warm fuzzy feeling and the handheld TDS meter for the same $25 or so will dance circles around the inlines.

 

The refurb system is the MaxPure system without the warranty which is rarely needed and $40 less. The only difference with the CSP-DI is the 0.5 micron sediment and carbon block filters. The chloramine system is not needed since a single 0.5, 0.6 or 1.0 micron carbon block is more han sufficient for chloramines or free chlorine, its the DI that really makes the difference and you can always use the Super SilicaBuster replacement once the furnished cartridge is exhausted.

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Thanks for the reply... I ended up getting a refurb spectre and an inline tds.... seemed legit... just waiting on it to get here so I can fill my tank...

If your budget is around $150 then stick with the refurbished system, its the best value in a reef quality RO/DI today. The only thing I would add is a handheld TDS meter, NOT an inline. Inlines have inherent problems and lack the accuracy or a good ATC handheld.

 

The refurbished system gives you all the same housings, inline pressure gauge and capilary tube flow restrctor as any of their other systems and you can always experiment with the lower micron sediment and carbon block filters and any of their DI replacements when the time comes for replacements at 6 months or so. I have no use for flush kits or inline TDS meters so they have no value in my opinion and are a waste of money. Keep the waste ratio where it should be and flushing does absolutely nothing except give you a warm fuzzy feeling and the handheld TDS meter for the same $25 or so will dance circles around the inlines.

Wish I would have read this before I ordered my inline.... oh well live and learn... spent extra money on something that doesnt work as well aye....F***

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You will soon be wanting a handheld TDS meter, once you use one you won't even turn the inline on anymore. I never use the two I have since they are only ball park close and I want accuracy when it comes to water quality. If you read any of my RO posts over the last 12-15 years you will see I have never liked them.

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You will soon be wanting a handheld TDS meter, once you use one you won't even turn the inline on anymore. I never use the two I have since they are only ball park close and I want accuracy when it comes to water quality. If you read any of my RO posts over the last 12-15 years you will see I have never liked them.

Thank you so much! Answer all my questions for now :) $139.99 here I go!

 

What handheld TDS meter would you recommend?

 

Thanks

Anthony

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