I can't decide on RO/DI

Cosine · 02-06-2005, 01:47 PM

Is it worth shelling out some more cash to get a Kent marine or other system.
My real concern is that I can get ebay systems from the US (I'm in Canada). They seem cheaper at first but I'm never certain on costs of crossing the border.
So basically a canadian vendor has the Kent systems on sale. That's why I mention that particular brand. In the end I think it will cost a bit more still but I will be certain on the price.
Also the kent system only run up to 60gpd and I believe are 4 stage.

So I guess I'm looking for opinions
what would you do?
are these units better?
any advice?

Kevin1000 · 02-06-2005, 02:10 PM

One of the more popular Ebay suppliers of RO/DI systems is located near Vancouver Canada - think he markets his location as Blaine Washington but suspect thats not much more than PO box.

I suspect that most RO systems are pretty much the same ... seems like all the RO membranes are made by the same outfit and all the filters are readily available from most shops.

dme330i · 02-06-2005, 10:01 PM

Save your money and get the one from eBay.

Cosine · 02-06-2005, 10:04 PM

that seems to be the general consensous
the cash is better off spent on something else!

yardboy · 02-06-2005, 10:31 PM

That may be the general concensus, but not mine. While limited, all the systems I've seen on e-bay have a pitiful Di cartridge, and much smaller than I think is needed. You do not know what type of RO membrane is in these systems generally, and most definitely there are culls in the manufacturing process that likely don't get thrown in the garbage where they belong. Look over the systems on our sponsor, AquaFX, read the spec sheets and compare to the systems on eBay. Then decide. Maybe they are great for a cheap price, but I've not seen one I'd buy yet. I'm very happy with my AquaFX Mako, and the water is certainly cheaper than buying it at the lfs, which quite a few people do.

Gatorbait · 02-07-2005, 11:58 AM

Check out Aquasafe Canada on ebay.

Cosine · 02-07-2005, 12:24 PM

Hmmm I'll check it out
I found there actual vendors website and they seem to be a good price.
Ebay refuses to work on my computer. Now that's some odd spyware or whatever is messing that up.
I may just order directly from their website

candian bacon · 02-07-2005, 06:57 PM

I am also in Canada. I have not gotten a RO/Di system yet! But plan to soon. check out http://aquariacanada.com/ they have some great prices $149 for a 100gpd 6 stage unit. let me know if you find a good deal else where. As i said im looking for one myself.

Jeremiah · 02-07-2005, 07:05 PM

I don't live in canada but I just bought one on ebay from from filterdirect. It is a 6 stage ro/di unit 110 gallons a day. It was $112 shipped to me in the us. I wouldn't think it would cose that much more to go to canada eh.

You can certainly spend more on RO units but 0 tds is 0 tds no matter how much you spend.

candian bacon · 02-07-2005, 07:10 PM

i just checked the ro unit that is selling at aquariacanada. it is a Aquasafe Canada product as well.

dme330i · 02-07-2005, 07:18 PM

My RO unit from eBay is by Aquasafe Systems. I've had it for 6 months now and my TDS continues to read 0, so the DI cartridge is definitely sufficient for my needs (which happen to average 70 gallons/week).

candian bacon · 02-07-2005, 07:41 PM

dme330i - do you have this unit set up with a holding tank? was it hard to set up?

dme330i · 02-07-2005, 08:47 PM

No holding tank. I just rotate out 4 - 7 gallon jugs.

It was fairly easy to setup. I got the 100gpd unit for around $69. I used the screw in valve and tapped it in the piping right above the shut off valve of the cold water line under my kitchen sink. There's an option to tap the waste line directly into the drain piping, but I just run a separate line directly into the sink when I run the unit.

My tap water measures at 30 TDS. Also, I don't run the coconut carbon filter unless I'm making drinking water.