ReeferReefer Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 So looking to upgrade from tap water and I want to keep it on a budget. I've been considering the BRS 4 stage value system but have seen cheap RO systems on amazon like thishttp://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00DOG63OY/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1445972235&sr=8-1π=SY200_QL40&keywords=Rodi&dpPl=1&dpID=41CF6VoMfQL&ref=plSrch Would this work ok or is a proper Rodi system going to have a lot more benefit? Link to comment
outerorbiter Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 So looking to upgrade from tap water and I want to keep it on a budget. I've been considering the BRS 4 stage value system but have seen cheap RO systems on amazon like thishttp://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00DOG63OY/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1445972235&sr=8-1π=SY200_QL40&keywords=Rodi&dpPl=1&dpID=41CF6VoMfQL&ref=plSrch Would this work ok or is a proper Rodi system going to have a lot more benefit? Air water and ice is a sponsor here. I just purchased on of their systems. They have free shipping right now and a member discount. I have not installed it yet but it appears to be great quality and sturdy. Seems like the have a good warranty and good support as well. Link to comment
Gooburz Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 Purchased a Specturapure refurb unit the 90gpd and my wife says it's awesome. Can't go wrong with their product, many people on here use them. You don't want to skimp on the most important thing in your tank, Water. Tap is the worst thing you could be using, at the VERY least use Distilled Link to comment
blkhwkz Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 +1 on the Spectrapure refurb 90GPD. Been using it for a few weeks now. Link to comment
ReeferReefer Posted October 27, 2015 Author Share Posted October 27, 2015 I'll consider Spectrapure over BRS then. Why do you like it better? Also what are average yearly costs on resin and membranes? I know it's subjective based o tds of tap water but just wondering. Is the di part really important vs only RO? Link to comment
Murphs_Reef Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 To be honest I just RO, TDS is pretty good and I'm 98% free of solids.. Link to comment
blkhwkz Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 I'll consider Spectrapure over BRS then. Why do you like it better? Also what are average yearly costs on resin and membranes? I know it's subjective based o tds of tap water but just wondering. Is the di part really important vs only RO? I have an RO system for drinking water, TDS are 4 (my tap water is 220.) With the Spectrapure RODI they are 0. Probably not a huge difference, but I like knowing the water I am using is at 0 TDS. Also the wife doesn't get mad that I used all the RO water and then has to wait for the system to make more Only got the RODI unit 3 weeks ago, until then both my tanks were just using the house RO system water. Link to comment
AZDesertRat Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 Since you have no idea what TDS is made up of your goal should always be 0 TDS. 98% of the way there doesn't cut it in reefkeeping. You will not find a better RO/DI than Spectrapure period. No other vebdor specially treats all their RO membranes to improve their performance then either batch or individually hand tests them for quality control or custom blends all their DI resins in house so you get only the best, freshest resin for your application. In Vegas, your water is very similar to our Phoenix water since it is mostly Colorado River water. Remember the Morton Thiokall rocket fuel that was dumped in your area and is in the water supply? Or where do you think all that dirt and rock (minerals or TDS, dissolved solids) that came from the Grand Canyon ends up? You need DI on top of RO and you need the very best of both for your water. Link to comment
Zepo. Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 I use one of the ebay 4 stage ro/di units and have always got 0 TDS water. I think it was around $80. Link to comment
AZDesertRat Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 The difference in a good RO/DI and an average or poor one is how long it maintains that 0 TDS. It all comes down to cost of ownership. What appears to be a good deal may not end up being so after a year or two. Think of it as buying a fine tool that will last many years with a little regular cleaning or maintenance versus one that requires more maintenance and replacements and ends up costing more. You really do get what you pay for with RO/DI and vendors such as Spectrapure wouldn't be around for 30 years if they didn't perform as advertised. Having owned 6 different RO systems personally, I would never go back to any of the others including others mentioned in this thread. Link to comment
Sancho Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 The unit you are looking at on amazon will work but in the long run cost you more. You will want to add a DI stage to it. The problem with the small units like that one is replacement media gets expensive and doesnt last as long as the more traditional units. Most of the housings are made in China by a couple manufactures. I have not seen anything that makes one housing better than the other. Side by side the BRS, Spectrapure, and some of the lesser known housings are identical. Some units offer a flush valve, pressure gage, TDS meter. All of those things you can add. Most of the complaints about leaking is user error. With some of the more expensive units you are paying for customer service. Spectrapure has great customer service and offers excelent media and filters. I see nothing wrong with getting a no name low cost ebay / amazon unit and buying media from Spectrapure, BRS or Buckey Hydro. The refurb Spectrapure units are a good deal. Link to comment
AZDesertRat Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 There are huge differences in the quality of canisters, especially the lids, fittings and membranes. Vendors such as Spectrapure, Buckeye Hydro and Purely H2o that have been around for years know this from experience and only carry and sell the higher quality components and filters. Ebay vendors for the most part use lower quality, cheaper and lighter components, pick up a Spectrapure system then pick up a ebay system and you will physically feel the difference in weight besides beaing able to see thicker castings, smoother seams and more. With RO/DI you really do get what you pay for and cheap is not where you want to be, it will bite you in time. Link to comment
ReeferReefer Posted October 29, 2015 Author Share Posted October 29, 2015 Thanks. I think I'll lean towards spectra pure as my next investment. Does it come with adapter kits too for faucet and garden hose? I'm in a rental and don't want to poke a hole in my water line. Link to comment
AZDesertRat Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 It comes with a hose thread adapter. You can order a faucet adapter from them or get one at the hardware store but I prefer using a brass garden hose wye with individual ball valves on my washing machine cold water supply so I don't tie the faucet up for hours on end making water. Link to comment
markalot Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Add my vote for the SpectraPure 90 refurbished. Link to comment
ReeferReefer Posted November 24, 2015 Author Share Posted November 24, 2015 I ended up going with the BRS 75GPD Value Plus on sale for $139. Comes with a TDS meter and the sink attachment I needed too. Thanks for the help guys. Its better to not skimp on RODI! Link to comment
BRN Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 I ended up going with the BRS 75GPD Value Plus on sale for $139. Comes with a TDS meter and the sink attachment I needed too. Thanks for the help guys. Its better to not skimp on RODI! Just got mine today, this thing is awesome. The quality is crazy high... Link to comment
ReeferReefer Posted November 24, 2015 Author Share Posted November 24, 2015 Just got mine today, this thing is awesome. The quality is crazy high... Sweet. I am excited. I just need to grab a float valve so my water bin doesnt overflow XP Link to comment
BRN Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 just dont get one with a hinge "shutters".... just helped a buddy clean up 75 gallons, good thing it was in a unfinished basement and not in his living room! Link to comment
ReeferReefer Posted November 24, 2015 Author Share Posted November 24, 2015 just dont get one with a hinge "shutters".... just helped a buddy clean up 75 gallons, good thing it was in a unfinished basement and not in his living room! What do you mean by shutters? I was looking at this http://www.amazon.com/Kerick-Valve-M252-Float-Mount/dp/B0077RAUTA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1448327406&sr=8-1&keywords=rodi+float+valve Link to comment
AZDesertRat Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 For $124 you would have been much happier with the Spectrapure but to each his own. I would highly recommend better filters at the first replacement and hopefully you went with an ATC handheld TDS meter and not an inline? There really is a difference. Link to comment
HarryPotter Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 To be honest I just RO, TDS is pretty good and I'm 98% free of solids.. Same here. Well, I top off with RO (8g weekly in a 45g system) and use natural sea water from the LFS. Haven't noticed any ill effects Link to comment
heifinator Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 Since you have no idea what TDS is made up of your goal should always be 0 TDS. 98% of the way there doesn't cut it in reefkeeping. You will not find a better RO/DI than Spectrapure period. No other vebdor specially treats all their RO membranes to improve their performance then either batch or individually hand tests them for quality control or custom blends all their DI resins in house so you get only the best, freshest resin for your application. In Vegas, your water is very similar to our Phoenix water since it is mostly Colorado River water. Remember the Morton Thiokall rocket fuel that was dumped in your area and is in the water supply? Or where do you think all that dirt and rock (minerals or TDS, dissolved solids) that came from the Grand Canyon ends up? You need DI on top of RO and you need the very best of both for your water. Let me preface this by saying this is a compliment. You are such a water snob. Every thread about water you pop up with the facts. I appreciate you for it and 100% agree, your still a water snob though! Link to comment
HIppieRose Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 I get mine from the local reef store. It is cheep and I don't have to be a genius to figure out how to make it work. Link to comment
ReeferReefer Posted November 24, 2015 Author Share Posted November 24, 2015 I get mine from the local reef store. It is cheep and I don't have to be a genius to figure out how to make it work. I would pick up water for the LFS when I had a 10g nano but I have about 85g total volume in my system so I'm not lugging that around! Link to comment
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