selecting an RO/DI unit

Dave · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 22

Hi ... reef newbie here. I'm looking for suggestions, advice,
pointers to articles etc. for selecting my first RO/DI unit.

I have a 55 gallon tank; each week I do a 3 gallon water change, and
use 2 or 3 gallons for evaporation topoff. My tap water has a GH of
11 dH.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

Archived from group: rec>aquaria>marine>reefs

Pszemol · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 643

Any smallest unit will do. I have KENT 10 gallons per day
and when I leave it running for a night I have full bucket of
RO water next morning - you do not need anything bigger.

"Dave" wrote in message @posting.google.com...
> Hi ... reef newbie here. I'm looking for suggestions, advice,
> pointers to articles etc. for selecting my first RO/DI unit.
>
> I have a 55 gallon tank; each week I do a 3 gallon water change, and
> use 2 or 3 gallons for evaporation topoff. My tap water has a GH of
> 11 dH.
>
> Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

Dave · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 22

Thanks for your reply. Which Kent model do you have?

The capabilities of the various units must be different though ...
aren't some better at removing sediment, phosphates, silicates etc.
than others? I'm also looking for a unit that's (relatively?) easy to
maintain, get replacement parts/cartridges, etc.

"Pszemol" wrote in message news:...
> Any smallest unit will do. I have KENT 10 gallons per day
> and when I leave it running for a night I have full bucket of
> RO water next morning - you do not need anything bigger.
>
> "Dave" wrote in message @posting.google.com...
> > Hi ... reef newbie here. I'm looking for suggestions, advice,
> > pointers to articles etc. for selecting my first RO/DI unit.
> >
> > I have a 55 gallon tank; each week I do a 3 gallon water change, and
> > use 2 or 3 gallons for evaporation topoff. My tap water has a GH of
> > 11 dH.
> >
> > Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

Marc Levenson · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 667

I disagree. I think a larger unit is far more useful. Cost-wise, most all
units run about the same, but a larger unit will have filters that last longer
if they aren't used that often, plus when you do need RO/DI water in a hurry,
you've got access to it within mere hours.

I'm making 5gals of water in 60 minutes now. During the winter, it took 80 mins
(water was colder going into the unit). Here's the one I use, with some
information that can help answer some questions you might have Dave:

http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/tank/ro_di.html

Keep in mind that at some point, you'll probably upgrade your tank or add
another, and you'll be using more water anyway. With 4 tanks in my house, we
have the unit running just about every other day making a new 5g jug full. Smile

Marc

Dave wrote:

> Hi ... reef newbie here. I'm looking for suggestions, advice,
> pointers to articles etc. for selecting my first RO/DI unit.
>
> I have a 55 gallon tank; each week I do a 3 gallon water change, and
> use 2 or 3 gallons for evaporation topoff. My tap water has a GH of
> 11 dH.
>
> Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

CapFusion · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 155

> Keep in mind that at some point, you'll probably upgrade your tank or add
> another, and you'll be using more water anyway. With 4 tanks in my house,
we
> have the unit running just about every other day making a new 5g jug full.
Smile

>

Not just your tank, but for yourself too.... for drinking and cooking ...
etc....

CapFusion,...

Dave · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 22

Marc;

Thanks for the reference. I was considering buying the 4-stage
Spectrapure unit from http://www.islandaquatics.com ... now I'm not
sure. Wink

One question ... can I only run the unit as needed in order to produce
water for my tank (about six gallons per week), or does the unit need
to be run for longer periods of time for some reason (I don't know, to
avoid damaging/wearing out the membranes?)?

I've heard that RO/DI water is particular susceptible to air-borne
contaminants and organisms ... if I produce more water than I need, is
it adequate to just keep the container covered until I take what I
need?

Thanks for the patience with my newbie questions.

- Dave

Marc Levenson wrote in message news:...
> I disagree. I think a larger unit is far more useful. Cost-wise, most all
> units run about the same, but a larger unit will have filters that last longer
> if they aren't used that often, plus when you do need RO/DI water in a hurry,
> you've got access to it within mere hours.
>
> I'm making 5gals of water in 60 minutes now. During the winter, it took 80 mins
> (water was colder going into the unit). Here's the one I use, with some
> information that can help answer some questions you might have Dave:
>
> http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/tank/ro_di.html
>
> Keep in mind that at some point, you'll probably upgrade your tank or add
> another, and you'll be using more water anyway. With 4 tanks in my house, we
> have the unit running just about every other day making a new 5g jug full. Smile

>
> Marc
>
>
> Dave wrote:
>
> > Hi ... reef newbie here. I'm looking for suggestions, advice,
> > pointers to articles etc. for selecting my first RO/DI unit.
> >
> > I have a 55 gallon tank; each week I do a 3 gallon water change, and
> > use 2 or 3 gallons for evaporation topoff. My tap water has a GH of
> > 11 dH.
> >
> > Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

Fred · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 5

Marc,

Your idea of using the longer tubing coiled and submerged in a bucket with a
heater is a tremendous idea.

"Dave" wrote in message@posting.google.com...
> Hi ... reef newbie here. I'm looking for suggestions, advice,
> pointers to articles etc. for selecting my first RO/DI unit.
>
> I have a 55 gallon tank; each week I do a 3 gallon water change, and
> use 2 or 3 gallons for evaporation topoff. My tap water has a GH of
> 11 dH.
>
> Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

Marc Levenson · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 667

Hi Fred,
I can't remember where I found that idea, but it really is a good one. Wink

Marc

Fred wrote:

> Marc,
>
> Your idea of using the longer tubing coiled and submerged in a bucket with a
> heater is a tremendous idea.
>
> "Dave" wrote in message
> @posting.google.com...
> > Hi ... reef newbie here. I'm looking for suggestions, advice,
> > pointers to articles etc. for selecting my first RO/DI unit.
> >
> > I have a 55 gallon tank; each week I do a 3 gallon water change, and
> > use 2 or 3 gallons for evaporation topoff. My tap water has a GH of
> > 11 dH.
> >
> > Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

Bob Parkins · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 32

I have been very happy with mine from www.airwaterice.com
Great service product and price. Don't make any decissions untill you check
it out.... also go through the sponsor's forum on www.reefcentral.com you
may get a discount (and free TDS meter I think).

Dave wrote in message@posting.google.com...
> Hi ... reef newbie here. I'm looking for suggestions, advice,
> pointers to articles etc. for selecting my first RO/DI unit.
>
> I have a 55 gallon tank; each week I do a 3 gallon water change, and
> use 2 or 3 gallons for evaporation topoff. My tap water has a GH of
> 11 dH.
>
> Any help would be appreciated, thanks!
>

CJImbach · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 8

dave@spamcop.net (Dave) wrote in message news:...
> Hi ... reef newbie here. I'm looking for suggestions, advice,
> pointers to articles etc. for selecting my first RO/DI unit.

Hello Dave,

I actually bought my RO system to feed my espresso machines, but it
has been most useful for a variety of applications including watering
my orchid garden, filling the fountain, and topping up my reefs - in
this weather it an 200 gallon-a-week requirement - a bit more than it
sounds like you are dealing with Smile

I would urge you to get an "always on" system that is plubed into a
garden hose or similar and has a 3-4 gallon storage tank. The reason
for this is three fold:

o RO units produce water slowly, and it is right convenient to have
2.5-3 gallons available at all times (it sounds like this is all
you really need)
o Zero setup and knockdown times around use, easier to use.
o Easy to plumb off the tank to a float valve for auto fill using
icemaker line.

Oh, and they're cheap! I have been spending $108+s/h on them from
Water General. I always buy last years model on ebay and havebeen
very pleased.

http://tinyurl.com/fh3c Or go to ebay and type: reverse osmosis USA

I have been VERY happy with them over the years and i have discovered
that regardless of how big a membrane I stick in one of these, I can
always use a bigger one! I would recommend AT LEAST a 50 GPD TFC
membrane. 80+ TFC is actually even more useful. I have 4 of these in
three houses - DI is a ~$30 option I believe

Nearly all non-aquaria Reverse Osmosis units (and many hobby specific
units) use standard parts. Typically TFC membranes come from DOW, the
GAC (Granulated Activated Carbon) prefilters are a commodity item, and
all the cartrige holders are OEM'd, this is a product that you can
really price shop, so look around. As long as the membrane is good
and the fittings are fine, it will work great.

Deionization is a nice gee-whiz feature and our one system with it is
nice, but doesn't taste/test any different than the standard systems.
UV is useful if you have giardia etc... in your water.

Many hobby specific systems, Kent, Spectrapure, etc... do not include
the storage tank, and let me re-itterate, it is handy.

I have built a stand for my system in the rental house, it plugs into
the garage utility sink with braided SS lines from my local Ace
Hardware and works like a dream. I will post a pic to my site -
www.albuspuer.com/ro.jpg

Hope this helps, now I am off to locate more plumbing tips for my new
chiller!
-Jesse