Reverse Osmosis

[adamRS80]

If I buy a RO system to make water for my tank can it also be used for drinking water? I'm almost positive it can but I wanted to check with you guys first. Also which brand/model should I look at. I don't need more than 15gpd. Looking for a fairly small system.

[StephenA]

I use a dual system, It does RO for drinking and RO/DI for the tank. My family loves it.

http://www.airwaterice.com/home_reef.htm

[RobertG]

I have one of these systems, I think it is great. Very affordable & quality!

[Bigreefer]

I've got and am happy with this system also. :-D

[adamRS80]

I was going to try to order from Marine Depot because I have to order a Kent drip system too. Is there anything wrong with drinking RO/DI water? I know RO is fine but is RO/DI water good for drinking and cooking as well. I know this is a stupid question but I just want to make sure. Anybody have a Kent system? I was considering one of the Hi-S RO/DI systems. Thanks

[StephenA]

No problem with drinking RO/DI. It's hard to get DI to boil. It's best to add a pinch of salt. If you try boiling it in the Micro becareful. It might not boil but the sec something is added it could explode on you. I wouldn't buy a RO/DI filter from Marine Depot just because you needed something else. I had a couple of install questions and walter took care of the issues and sent me the parts for free to make a change. He also gave me a free TDS meter.

[matt]

I would not get the 15gpd filter. You'll regret it, I'm sure. 15 gpd means 15 gallons in 24 continous hours of operation under ideal circumstances. If you need to make up some water quick, like for a water change, or if you ever need to fill up a tank, you'll be waiting forever.

[adamRS80]

Alright well this is all good to know. Is using just RO water in my tank ok? Does it need to be DI? I'm trying to be able to use the same system for drinking water and tank. I'll definitly go with something like 35 gpd.

[obtusewit]

I have a Kent Maxxima RO/DI 60 gpd which works great for me. I replumbed this unit as shown here to allow me to get RO or RO/DI water with just a turn of the valve. I added a bypass on the waste line to allow me to flush the RO unit which greatly increases the life expectancy. The 60 gpd seems like a lot, but the elements last longer and I can do a 4-5 gallon top off in about 30 minutes. The flow really cranks at first then slows down. I measured the output with new filters and got 4 3/4 gallons at 30 minutes, slightly less than 8 gallons in 1 hour 39 gallons at 12 hours and 64 gallons in 24 hours.

The valves and fittings are available at Home Depot (of course) and are the 'push-in' tubing type... easy to put together and easy to get apart and they NEVER leak or wear out. FYI they are the white ones with the blue handles... about 5 bucks apiece. I built a common manifold out of a 1/2" x 3" PVC nipple and bought 1/4" npt x 1/4" tubing valves for the output side. Just drill into the side of the pipe and thread it with a 1/4" npt tap. It mounts nicely on the maxxima frame and makes them a lot easier to turn. I capped one end and used a cap with the 1/4" tap treatment on the other end.




RO water is great for drinking, RO/DI just doesn't taste worth a darn. Like Stephen said, be careful if you boil this water in a micorwave, it will sperheat and explode when you pour it into your coffe press, greatly slowing down your morning....

PM me if you need some help

[adamRS80]

Wow thats awesome. Now I can have both. Thanks for the diagrams I think I'll be able to get it set up. I'm tired of buying water at HEB.

[obtusewit]

For those who don't know, you can buy the 1st stage particle filter and second stage carbon filter at Home depot for about 1/2 of Kent's price. The ion resin/silica removal cartridge is also available at www.spectrapure.com/

[kaiser]

I got my RO/DI from filterdirect on ebay. It's already set up for 2 spigots. 1 for RO water for drinking water and one for RO/DI for the fishtank. Works well Easy to install. I bought the 110 GPD but he's got 75's and 50's as well. I figured the 110 was not that much more money and when I do need a lot it can produce it. This is what I bought
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=46310&item=4302234 905&tc=photo