RO/DI System

[Sherri]

Since I won a $30 Gift Certificate at the March Meeting :-D from Premium Aquatics...Would it be a good idea to get my RO/DI system from them? They carry 4 different brands...Captive Purity, Kent Marine, Spectra Pure & AquaFX....or does anyone suggest any other that may be good and at a decent price. I really need to get one soon...I'm tired of carrying gallons of water home.

By the way...would store bought water cause the rust colored algae that has showed up on the sandbed (small patch)? And what can I do to get rid of it? Forgot what causes that type of algae... :oops:

Thanks

Sherri

[Sherri]

HEB by me has a machine that I fill empty gallons. Troy Valentine had mentioned www.airwaterice.com also. Guess I'll check them out. Any suggestions what size model? I have a 100 gal reef...

Sherri

[z28pwr]

Sherry, I have the 4 stage 100 GPD OCEANUS from Aquatic Reef Systems and so far everything looks good. They also sold me a digital TDS meter for $20 dollars more when purchasing the RO unit.

http://www.aquaticreefsystems.com/Reverse_Osmosis_4Stage.htm

[Triggerman]

also have the air,water,ice 100 gpd model, i don't think there was much price difference between the bigger and smaller units so go for the bigger and make sure and get a TDS meter. i haven't had any problems with it pretty easy to use and install. if you decide on this one talk to walter and tell him the SA water is very hard and he'll do some modifications to adjust to the hardness whic helps the membrane last a little longer.

ray

[Sherri]

Thanks Guys...I need to do this pretty soon. Not only is it a pain to lug gal jugs, I know it still isn't the quality needed for the reef. I'll post whatever avenue I decide on...Don't know if this is due to the water quality or not...but noticing I'm getting a few "patches" of a "bushy" or "hairy" green algae growing & spreading on my LR. Any suggestions as to what causes this? And how to eliminate it?

Sherri

[kakfish]

Sherri,

I guess i'll toss my two cents in on the RO unit. You might want to price a unit from www.aquariumwaterfilters.com I have used them a couple of times and the units are very nice. I order the 50 gal/day. Also good support.

Hair algae is always complicated stuff, but i was wandering what kind of iodine you were using, the brand and how often you dose?

Ken
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[Sherri]

Hey Ken...I just started using iodine a couple of weeks ago...Kent..about 1 teaspoon once a week.

Sherri

[kakfish]

Sherri,

Well the iodine probably isn't the problem concerning the algae outbreak, since you just started dosing the tank. However using too much of the typical iodine solutions avaiable on the market can cause hair algae to take a better position in your aquarium (levels above .06). Normanl seawater is .06 ppm and you should keep your aquarium around .04. Salifert makes, to my knowledge, the only test kit that will read in this range.

Another major problem is the over use of calcium chloride. This too can cause algae problems. Most shelf Ca products are calcium chloride. The problem is that the animals will use the Ca, but noooooooobody want any thing to do with the chloride. If you are taking minimal water changes monthly the chloride will build up in the system causing water chemistry problems. When the water is off it always seems that it is algae to the rescue.

Sorry for not getting back, I been on a large project.

Ken
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[Tim Marvin]

Sherri, there is only a few companies that make the membrane so you will do just as well with the cheaper model than the most expensive. I have a GE from home depot in my home tanks, and the fanciest Kent 5 stage RO/DI hi-S in the garage tanks. I have used both for 2 years and can't tell any difference in the two except for price.

[Carol]

I'm also looking for a new water source as some of you may have seen on another thread. How is deionization benificial? Would it be ok just to have an RO unit without DI?

Please excuse my ignorance but I need help. :oops:

Carol

[Tim Marvin]

Carol, like I said I use a GE RO unit from Home depot with the same results as my fancy one.

[Sherri]

Thanks for the info Tim...I'm a wholesaler in the beauty industry...and there are also a limited amount of mfg'rs...but there are "name carriers" for those manufacturers. Makes sense as that is what I do. ;) Appreciate the heads up on that one...

Sherri

[Sherri]

Ken...no prob...been busy myself...I did a 10% water change today...since I have started adding my animals, etc. in the last month and a half, I think I'm seeing what happens when I "need" a water change. Before, since I only had a few zoos...polyps...mushrooms, I didn't have to do water changes as often. My levels are ok...I keep a good check...but noticed in the last few days that my "water quality" wasn't as good. Everybody is healthy and happy in the tank...will keep an eye on the algae. The only question I have now is with good water changes...will these "algae patches" go away or stay? Don't like 'em.. :roll: Or will snails eat it? Will be adding a Lawnmower Blenny here soon...will he "mow" it? ;)

Learning....and appreciate the feedback. Like the thread I started...I am trying to look into a RO/DI system cause I don't think the "quality" of the water I pick up in the machine at HEB is that great...which I feel is part of the algae prob I got. Once I do that, I'm sure I'll see a big improvement in the water quality also.

Sherri

[TexasState]

Unless you recharge them, those *lone* DI unit are expensive to buy and replace.

You've seen my setup, I use RO/DI for my reef tank.

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?MfcISAPICommand=GetResult&SortProperty= MetaEndSort&ht=1&query=RO%2FDI

I don't know how this guy on Ebay does it for so cheap.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2316256355&category=20 758
United States Shipping and handling US $27.50
Shipping insurance per item (required) US $5.00

His price is even cheaper then AirWaterIce's price. I paid over $200 for my RO/DI setup w/ the RO storage and drinking faucet. He sell out of Canada, so when you convert to US dollar, it might even be cheaper. I'm not sure, probably not.

[TexasState]

That price from ebay is even cheaper then the unit from the local hardware store or Sam's club.

I wonder if he uses John Guess's fitting for easy operation/maintenant.

airwaterice.com

[Hammer]

Only thing about this system is the SMALL DI filter.
He only lists it good for 538 gallons of 0 TDS water. Of course the filter is only half used at that point. But even 1000 gallons from a DI isn't that much. Most larger ones are rated at 7500 gallons for a comparison.
Otherwise, a GREAT deal.
$99 for a 5 stage, then $25 S+H, is still a great deal. Even if the DI is not the longest lasting one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2315880506

Ed

[TexasState]

IF this is a re-useable canister, you can do a group order buy in DI filter for cheap couldnt' you?

[Hammer]

It's not a reusable cartridge.
And the ones that are usually have a short lifespan as well.
DI cartridges are re-chargable btw. And the chemicals may be harsh, but at cheap, and looks like an easy process.

[Hammer]

Hmm, of course if MAAST did a bulk order on DI resins. That could be a lot cheaper :)

http://www.resindepot.com/page10.html