What are your recurring costs (per gallon) for making your RODI water?

[Mojado]

Just recurring material costs (filters and any other consumables), not including the cost of the source water. I'm trying to see if it's worth it for me, on a dollar/gallon basis.

 

I just found a place that sells RODI for 35 cents a gallon. Gonna put my TDS meter on it to see if it is legit, though a fellow reefer already told me it was.

 

If the difference isn't much better, then I it'll be hard to justify the initial investment in a RODI system.

[Neebles]

How big is your tank? How often are you going to do water changes? How far is this source? Do you have to drive? What are ou going to do if you have a water emergency and this "source" isn't open?

 

For me, I change about 20 gallons or so a week. I have a 28gallon reaervoir full of water at any given time in case of an emergency. I don't want to have to haul 20 gallons of water a week to my house, then downstairs etc. it's not worth the time or gas in my opinion. Now if you have a small tank and don't need frequent large water changes and can make a trip to the source last a few weeks, then it may be worthwhile to go with that.

 

I just like that peace of mind that I will always have water on hand and don't have to rely on someone else to make it.

 

At 35 cents a gallon, it would have taken me about 3 months to break even on a refurbished 90gpd spectrapure rodi system. That's not taking into consideration gas and travel time. Again, I may be running a larger system than you.

[lkoechle]

I only found the LFS more convenient with a 5 gallon pico. Anything larger and thats a PITA with that much water. RO/DI in home is definitely worth it and saves you the money on gas.

[Sancho]

I buy my filters in bulk from amazon 3 year supply was under $120. But we have terrible water in southern California so my RODI unit also makes drinking water so I am no longer buying bottled water. Way worth the initial cost. FYI you dont need a expensive brand name "reef" system. You can pick up a generic unit from Ebay, Amazon, or even Alibaba that is the same unit sold by most reef retailers at about 40 to 50% less.

[Neebles]

I buy my filters in bulk from amazon 3 year supply was under $120. But we have terrible water in southern California so my RODI unit also makes drinking water so I am no longer buying bottled water. Way worth the initial cost. FYI you dont need a expensive brand name "reef" system. You can pick up a generic unit from Ebay, Amazon, or even Alibaba that is the same unit sold by most reef retailers at about 40 to 50% less.

This isn't quite true, you get what you pay for with these cheap units...the filters are pretty lousy and don't last long, the replacements are typically more expensive than the units themselves, not to mention I have found the housing for the filters themselves to be fragile. I had to actually swap out 2 separate units as they leaked so bad.

[jaynkeel]

Most units I have seen all take the same filter, but then I haven't looked that much into it. From what I always thought you had 2 different style membranes in r/o filters but the difference is in the gpd output and that is not just the membrane but the valve. Other than that a cheap housing or the expensive one from like brs take the same filter but yes different quality filters are out there but as long as it is putting out low tds then it's fine by me. My system is about 6 yrs old from home depot made by ge, other than my stupid automatic shut off crapping out on me it has worked flawless. I did add additional post filters to it but for the basic system at the time it was cheap. Now that I know more about r/o I would build my own unit for cheaper than buying another if my housing ever fails...

[Sancho]

This isn't quite true, you get what you pay for with these cheap units...the filters are pretty lousy and don't last long, the replacements are typically more expensive than the units themselves, not to mention I have found the housing for the filters themselves to be fragile. I had to actually swap out 2 separate units as they leaked so bad.

The filters and media are no good on the cheap units that's why I recommend getting good media. But the housing and canisters are made by a couple companies in China spectra pure buys them in bulk and re brands the housing. Same with Mlev, brs the units sold at marine depot are all made by the same Chinese company. I spent about 6 months looking into this as I was going to go into business selling them. But hey if you want to pay more for something cause you buy into the you get what you pay for way of thinking go for it. Really the only thing that can fail on them is the o ring as they are made of pretty thick plastic. Stay away from the portable units you first posted as replacement media will be very expensive.

[PathOfDeception]

Considering I use RO/DI water to wash my hands if I put them in the tank, rinse filter floss before it goes in and many other various maintenance. The initial cost of an RO unit may seem like a lot but it is extremely convenient and pays for itself. I also like knowing what goes in and out of my tank and ensure I do not introduce anything that I do not want in it. Ultimately the decision is yours and the risks you might be willing to take with your tank.

[AZDesertRat]

On average, nationwide, the cost to make your own RO/DI is about a nickel a gallon. That 5 cents includes replacement filters and DI resins as well as water and sewer rates.

 

You can't buy quality water for that and the best part is you alone have total control over its quality and do not depend on anyone else or their lack of maintenance.

[Mojado]

How big is your tank? How often are you going to do water changes? How far is this source? Do you have to drive? What are ou going to do if you have a water emergency and this "source" isn't open?

 

I appreciate your help, but I wasn't asking for help in making the decision (i.e. what I need to consider). I'm just asking for recurring material costs (filters and any other consumables) in making your own RODI.

On average, nationwide, the cost to make your own RO/DI is about a nickel a gallon. That 5 cents includes replacement filters and DI resins as well as water and sewer rates.

 

You can't buy quality water for that and the best part is you alone have total control over its quality and do not depend on anyone else or their lack of maintenance.

Thanks, man!

[anizato]

ok, are you going to carry the multiple gallons of water EVERY WATER CHANGE? is it worth saving $300-600 and installing a little equipment that you have to replace the filters to, once ever 3 or 6 months (depending on which filter cartridge of the unit and when, not all at once, they ware at different rates)??? Besides it is $60-80 to replace the ENTIRE filter cartridges. so if that outweighs lugging around gallons and gallons of water, then go for it.

[Spoon Fed EM1]

i just like the fact that i don't have to keep using dechlorinators! before ro/di, all my money spent was on seachem prime!

[gus6464]

I got my BRS 4 stage unit for $160 when it was on sale recently. I installed an RO bypass for drinking water so the unit will pay for itself real quick as San Diego tap water is pretty bad.

[AZDesertRat]

I recommend this:

 

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

 

and this if you want a reef/residential type RO/DI:

 

http://www.purelyh2o.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&view=productdetails&virtuemart_product_id=93&virtuemart_category_id=78&Itemid=835〈=en

 

The only other things you need are a 1/4" check valve to isolate the pressurized RO water from the DI water for the reef so TDS creep does not bother your DI resin:

 

http://www.purelyh2o.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&view=productdetails&virtuemart_product_id=267&virtuemart_category_id=65&Itemid=835〈=en

 

and a good handheld TDS meter:

 

http://spectrapure.com/TEST-KITS-METERS/CONDUCTIVITY-TDS-METERS/HM-Digital-TDS-4TM-Pocket-Size-TDS-Meter

 

 

You install the drinking water kit and check valve according to this diagram amd you have the best of both worlds and it really makes it easy to justify the purchase. Plus clear ice cubes and good tasting safe drinking water are a bonus! No more cases of bottled water and store bought ice.

 

http://spectrapure.com/huds/4-STAGE-DWK-RODI-NAG.pdf

[Spoon Fed EM1]

Is there anything wrong with just using ro/di as drinking water? haha

[AZDesertRat]

Other than DI is more expensive to produce and does not taste refreshing due to a very bland or blah taste, then no nothing is wrong with drinking it but why do so?

Some will argue that it is harmful but that is pure BS and has never been proven since man cannot live on water alone and any solid food negates the testing.

[MikeTR]

I spend $48 every 6 months for as much water as my 180g tank needs. 30g weekly exchanges + top offs and whatever I waste flushing carbon and GFO reactors to run clear. I just buy the spectrapure csp-di replacement kit. Which has .5 micron sediment/carbon filters & DI resin. That's a whopping $8/mo. Not bad considering my local municipality charges me $68/mo and I can't drink the stuff.. well technically I can, but the taste.. meh.

[ReefSafeSolutions]

I got my BRS 4 stage unit for $160 when it was on sale recently. I installed an RO bypass for drinking water so the unit will pay for itself real quick as San Diego tap water is pretty bad.

 

Agreed...though I've kind of taken a liking to the San Diego tap water!

 

I don't know how much the RODI system my dad has cost him, but we don't use it much now that we get Scripps Pier water. It's still really nice to have on hand for the ATO systems, etc.

[gus6464]

 

Agreed...though I've kind of taken a liking to the San Diego tap water!

 

I don't know how much the RODI system my dad has cost him, but we don't use it much now that we get Scripps Pier water. It's still really nice to have on hand for the ATO systems, etc.

 

I use scripps water. I got the RODI unit for ATO and drinking water as I am upgrading to a large tank soon.

[seabass]

Is there anything wrong with just using ro/di as drinking water?

Usually we just drink RO. You can put a tee valve between the RO and DI stages to discard TDS creep when you turn the unit on (to extend the life of your DI resin). This is also helpful to make drinking water.

[Spoon Fed EM1]

Usually we just drink RO. You can put a tee valve between the RO and DI stages to discard TDS creep when you turn the unit on (to extend the life of your DI resin). This is also helpful to make drinking water.

They say you can just drink the waste water right? Haha

[AZDesertRat]

The TDS of the waste is 20-25% higher than tap water so I wouldn't drink it. It contains the concentrated brine from the treated water.

[gus6464]

DI water tastes like sterile juice, not very good.