Ro Units? best one for me?

partobe · 12-05-2006, 08:32 AM

Hi Everyone!
I'm going to be ordering a new Ro/di unit within the next few weeks.
I'm thinking about the typhoon111 www.reeftanksupply.com/index.php?cPath=21_181
Has anyone ever had one of these unit?
What do all of you think?
Any suggestions?
I have a 150 gallon I do biweekly water changes and will be using it only for my tank. I want something I can just plug into my faucet adapter. I would like to keep it around 200 bucks.
Thanks
Patrick

bishop · 12-05-2006, 09:12 AM

Tagging along on this one.......

Hardhead Cat · 12-05-2006, 10:26 AM

Good morning Patrick - the only RO/DI unit I have ever had is a Kent Maximma 50 gpd unit. It was around $200 when I bought it new and I love it, it's been easy to deal with and replacing the canisters hasn't been too terribly expensive. It's the only one I've ever had - - getting your own RO unit is the single most important thing you can do for your reef tanks, IMHO.

HHC

skeety · 12-05-2006, 10:53 AM

I also have a Kent unit (Maximma Hi-S 60gpd).

And while I have no gripe at all with it (2 years now), I will say...from what I've read here...they're ALL pretty much the same.

Mine comes with a warranty, and good customer support...but other than that...it filters water the same way all the other one's do.

My advice...I wouldn't pay much more than $200 (you might even be able to e-bay one for ~$100) and focus mainly on a brand that's a familiar name (spectrapure, kent, etc) and focus on a flow rate that's sufficient for you. For 150 gal tank, I wouldn't get anything less than 60gph. (and that might not even be enough, unless you can fit 3 or 4 30+ gallon buckets for storage)

And you want at least 3 stages plus the membrane. (filter floss, carbon, membrane, and DI cartridge). Anything more is just bells an whistles.

when you get it, and need info on installing it, check this out:

http://mysite.verizon.net/s0da/ro_di.html

frankandmaura · 12-05-2006, 11:02 AM

Patrick,
I stick by my RO/DI unit. I bought on e-bay from Aqua-Safe. You get a lot for the money, IMHO.

Here is a link...for $199, you get a 100 GPD system, a bunch of replacement filters, a 4 gal storage tank, TDS meter, etc...

http://cgi.ebay.com/AQUA-SAFE-MAXIMU...QQcmdZViewItem

I dare you to find a better deal. You can even get it without all the goodies for $95, but I say the goodies are worth it. Just take a look, can't hurt.

Frank

Geoff · 12-05-2006, 11:08 AM

so far i am very happy with my Typhoon 5 stage unit from www.airwaterice.com . it came with EVERYTHING needed to set it up, including a portable TDS meter. it also came with an ASOV installed with float valve.

all for around $130. make sure to get the 75gpd instead of the 100gpd. more is not better in this case.

G~

partobe · 12-05-2006, 11:56 AM

Thanks HHC Skeety Frank and Geoff
HHC would 50 gpd be enough?
Skeety what do you think of the ones suggested on here?
Frank how long have you owned the one from ebay? I bought one of the smaller units and I think little bits of the membrane are coming out after 4 months.
Geoff I really like the way the typhoon looks I was looking at the other version because of the pressure gage. I could order a pressure gage I guess with the 5 stage.
Patrick

frankandmaura · 12-05-2006, 12:03 PM

Patrick...
I have had mine since April. Not a problem with it. Did you contact them, they have very good customer service. I am not sure what you mean by "little bits of the membrane are coming out". Where are you seeing the pieces?

There are many units on ebay. Did you buy from Aqua-Safe? They are a very reputable dealer, in fact I have read on their website that they use their systems for Dasani Water (produced by Coca-Cola Co.)

Let me know what you find out.

Frank

abigtroutt · 12-05-2006, 12:08 PM

I have a 75 gpd and that takes a good amount of time, but I also have 5 tanks. I's say go with at least 65 gpd or higher...you will be glad you did!

This is where I purchased mine...http://www.abundantflowwater.com/html/products.html

partobe · 12-05-2006, 12:31 PM

Thanks Bill and Frank
Frank I bought it from Millet00tw what Ive been seeing is little brown flakes in the new ro water. I only paid 40 bucks for it. I bout it prob 6 months ago.
Bill those look good do they have one with a pressure gage? I'm thinking that might have been what caused the little brown flakes in the ro water from the one I have now. I prob had the water pressure to strong.
Patrick

jph · 12-05-2006, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoff

so far i am very happy with my Typhoon 5 stage unit from www.airwaterice.com . it came with EVERYTHING needed to set it up, including a portable TDS meter. it also came with an ASOV installed with float valve.

all for around $130. make sure to get the 75gpd instead of the 100gpd. more is not better in this case.

ditto on what Geoff said.

J.

frankandmaura · 12-05-2006, 12:48 PM

Patrick,
That is a different company all-together. Check the link I put in my original post...the seller I bought from was aquasafesystems.

He has a 99.9% seller rating...only bad ratings I have seen are from poor instructions. I still say you can't beat this product. Like I said for $199.00 you get the system, with everything you could want (including a tap for drinking water) and I think 4 changes of filters. This is a big savings because the 5 filters and Resin beads can be very pricey.

Again just my 2 cents...

Good luck.

partobe · 12-05-2006, 12:51 PM

Thanks Frank and jph
Right now I really like both models so I will have decide between the typhoon and the one on ebay.

partobe · 12-05-2006, 12:59 PM

Here's another question. If I buy a unit that doesn't come with a pressure gage how do I know if I'm pumping the correct amount of water through the ro unit?

frankandmaura · 12-05-2006, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by partobe

Here's another question. If I buy a unit that doesn't come with a pressure gage how do I know if I'm pumping the correct amount of water through the ro unit?

I am thinking you would need to buy a pressure gauge. I am not sure there is another way to tell...