ro/di info needed

OodleyBoodely · 06-30-2002, 07:57 PM

Hi! I'm considering purchasing a water purifying unit, but, really don't know where to start. What are the best brands, what should I look for, and, where to find the best deals? Thanks in advance. Also, what if any other equiptment will be needed?

dbmet · 06-30-2002, 08:42 PM

I've had good luck ordering stuff from Bryan at www.aquaticreefsystems.com and he will price match too..
Good luck..

JennM · 06-30-2002, 08:49 PM

I'm partial to Kent Marine units. I've got a 120 gpd RO/DI in the store

They aren't all created equal.

Before buying any brand, consider that you will need replacement cartridges/membranes over the life of the unit, and be sure to choose a manufacturer that you're confidident will still be around in the years to come.

You might want to invest in a TDS Meter too. I just got mine calibrated and ascertained that my tap water has 71 ppm of TDS and my RO has 1 ppm

My DI resin is nearly toasted, will be replaced next week, but my water quality is still excellent!

Jenn

JRF · 06-30-2002, 09:09 PM

Hi,
I have a DOW unit and a Kent Marine. They both really are similar and the filters are interchangable ( both units I have take a 10" cartridge, wound filter, carbon filter, DI Resin ). I really don't see any difference in the quality/performance other than the fact that one is 50gpd, the other 24gpd.
Either is a good choice. I here Spectrapure is good , too.
JRF

OodleyBoodely · 07-01-2002, 05:22 PM

I've been looking into the ARS Oceanus 100gpd ro/di and have heard nothing but good about them over on RC. Is there anything bad I should know about this unit, or any particular difficulties involved in its operation? Anyone here have experiences with them?

Jenn, You stated that you prefer Kent and that "...They aren't all created equal. " Can you elaborate more on what you mean? Are replacement parts that difficult to find on other brands?

OodleyBoodely · 07-01-2002, 05:31 PM

Does anyone here have experience with the AquaFX Barracuda series?

karsco · 07-01-2002, 05:31 PM

Oodley, get the Oceanus you will not be dissapointed. I have had this unit since January and have had no problems. Aquatic Reef Systems makes a quality RO/DI unit and they have better customer service than about any other online company out there.

(BTW if you do get this unit also order the bypass valve which cleans out the RO membrane, and get a TDS meter)

cyberchef · 07-01-2002, 05:42 PM

OOdley I bought mine on an auction on Ebay from a guy that has a RO/DI business in Fl. He goes by the name H2OGuru, here is a link for his website.

http://www.airwaterice.com/

I'm very happy with the quality of the RO/DI unit and his service was outstanding. I had a problem with a couple of the shutoff valves leaking and he replaced them emidiately for me at no charge. His service was great and his product seems to be very good quality. I paid around $85 for mine and it's rated at 75 gallons/day.

dbmet · 07-01-2002, 05:50 PM

I looked for replacement filters for mine and it looked like all the filters were interchangeable...other than the filters and cannisters what else is there>? Send Bryan an email and tell him what your looking for and let him know how much you want to spend and and see what he can do for you..
d

OodleyBoodely · 07-01-2002, 06:01 PM

Cyber, thanks for the link! I definately want to check out all the options before making a discision. The Home/reef six stage system he offers sounds really good, just what I'm looking for and it is priced nice, too. Hmmm.. my options are growing....

JennM · 07-01-2002, 06:47 PM

Well, like I said, I'm biased toward Kent, so take that for what it's worth. I've seen clients buy inexpensive units (ie at Lowe's or Home Depot) that are supposedly DI units but they are rated for potable water, not for aquarium water, so there is a higher ratio of impurities that get through.

Case in point: You can get RO water at Publix (and other) supermarkets from Glacier vending machines. It's RO water and yes better than most tap, but locally it has tested positive for 0.2 phosphates (haven't tested the TDS since I don't have a sample of my own). In a pinch, Glacier is better than straight tap water but not as good as RO water can be. The Glacier machines are inspected, cleaned and water tested weekly, but the quality of water just isn't as good as for an aquarium-specific unit.

I've got no experience with other brands of RO for aquarium use, but it seems that so many basement companies are popping up, I would be concerned about parts availablity and after sales service. If the parts are interchangable with major brands, I guess there's not a problem, then is there?

Construction of the unit is a concern too. One other loca company (but a big player in the global aquarium supply market) has started putting out a unit with a plastic mounting bracket assembly....try twisting a canister off with the wrench, and the whole unit bends....I'd be afraid it would break. Sure plastic won't rust, but it's not as durable.

It boils down to a matter of preference. I prefer to deal with a company I know, they are local to me, I get AWESOME support and service, and I believe in and use their products.

For what it's worth, there MUST be a difference from one unit to another because my neighbour works for an environmental cleanup company and the RO unit at HIS work (it's used in their laboratory) is worth about $4000.00. If there's no difference, somebody somewhere is laughing all the way to the bank. Before I had access to free RO, or my own RO, he used to bring me containers of his work RO home

JMHO.

Jenn

cyberchef · 07-02-2002, 12:08 AM

I've tested my RO/DI water a few times with my Hach test kits and so far I get a O reading for nitrates, nitrites, ammonia and phosphates. I also tried testing it with a salifert test kit for phosphates and still got a O reading.

Jenn hopefully while I'm on vacation for the next 2 weeks I'll be able to make it up to see your store, I've heard nothing but good things about it and I am looking forward to seeing it. If I were to bring a sample of my tap water and of my RO/DI water could you test it for TDS? I don't curently have a TDS meter but do need to get one. Unfortunately we have 2 months to either find a new home to rent or to buy and I'm not spending any money on any extra curricular activities right now. Everything is either going to bills or to savings. Thanks.

OodleyBoodely · 07-02-2002, 04:15 AM

Jenn, Thankyou for your reply. I've got a lot to learn about ro/di and I appreciate your insights and opinions.

I would never have known about the differances in the mounting brackets, for instance. Regardless of which brand I finally go with, information you and all the others here have shared with me is helping to educate me (a difficult task

) so that I can make a more informed decision.

Thanks again!

JennM · 07-02-2002, 08:21 AM

Oodley, you're most welcome! I try to wear my bias on my sleeve, so you'll know where I'm coming from... but I wouldn't have that bias if not for what I believe to be a better product and SUPERIOR customer support.

Don: Thanks for the kind words about the store, we're doing our best to make it a fun place to find what you need and want at a fair price. I realize it's a heck of a trek but hopefully we'll make it worth your while.

YES by all means bring me a sample of your RO and tap, and I'll test it for you. Now that I got the gadget calibrated and working, I think I'll offer that as another of my regular services

Well I'm off to clean a 1200 gallon tank......if I'm not back by suppertime, send a lifeguard.....

Jenn

thebigblue · 07-02-2002, 08:28 AM

this is the one i got...

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...ry_Code=kentro

i am really happy with it...seems to be well built...

my only advice would be pay the extra $10 and upgrade to the 60 GPD unit...my 35 GPD takes just under 8 hours to make 5 gals...

HTH

brad