RO/DI Premix

[Glockafella]

I found a store that sells premixed RO/DI Salt water for 75 cents a gallon...good deal or not?

They mix it with instant ocean...I made him show me all the barrels of salt mix in the back room.

I ordered 18 gallons @ 1.024 for fri.

I think i might just found a way out of doing all the work and its scary...anyone else do this?

[talon4x4]

It sounds like it could get pretty pricey. I just invested the $120 into an RO/DI unit and get the 50gal bucket of IO salt which I believe makes 350gal of saltwater.

I guess it all depends on the size of your tank though. I have a 55gal and a 35 gal and it would just be too expensive. Plus, if I need water in a hurry I always have 30 gallons mixed and ready to go.

[Hop]

Hmmm. 160 gallons of water @.75 is $112... One bucket of IO is around $35 plus shipping unless you price match. An RO/DI is under $200 for a really decent one... So in about 320 gallons you begin loseing money

[motorslave]

Originally Posted by talon4x4

It sounds like it could get pretty pricey. I just invested the $120 into an RO/DI unit and get the 50gal bucket of IO salt which I believe makes 350gal of saltwater.

I guess it all depends on the size of your tank though. I have a 55gal and a 35 gal and it would just be too expensive. Plus, if I need water in a hurry I always have 30 gallons mixed and ready to go.

I agree, plus with all the money we put into our tanks I am not likely to take someone elses word that the water they are giving me is prime. Id rather control it myself.

[hng]

Also remember how inconvenient and old it will get carrying a bunch of water from the store to your house. I mix my water up right next to the tank, and I bet most people do that too. Would you get your regular ro/di water from them too? Ughhh.....too much work, and think of all the gas money too.

[Glockafella]

I get my RO/DI water from another place right now that is not premixed for 25 cents a gallon.

oh BTW nither place charges tax for this water.

[hng]

Originally Posted by Glockafella

I get my RO/DI water from another place right now that is not premixed for 25 cents a gallon.

oh BTW nither place charges tax for this water.

Money-wise, you're better off buying a filter yourself and mixing your own salt water (in the long term). Here's how I see it: Let's say you have to replace 2 gallons a day of ro/di to replace evaporation, that comes out to about 730 gallons/year at a cost of approximately $183/year ($0.25/gal). For salt water, let's assume you do a 20 gallon water change per month, that's 240 gallons/year at a cost of $180/year ($0.75/gal). That's a rough total of $363/year for water alone. That doesn't include gas money (right now about $3/gal) and time (priceless ). You can buy a great ro/di and a few buckets of Instant Ocean for a lot less than $363 and your yearly costs would be a lot less than the initial year. Buy your own filter!