RO/DI Unit

[mharmon]

I want to buy a RD/DI unit, but don't really know much about them.

Does anyone have any advice as to brand, type, size, pitfalls, etc.?

I'm looking for a unit that will produce enough water to top off my 75 gallon tank. I don't think I'd need more than 10 - 15 gallons a week.

I want to install the unit under my kitchen sink to replace the water filter installed by Culligan when they installed the water softener.

Please advise.

Thanks,

Mark

[Gseclipse02]

http://maast.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=54

[corkyGramma]

Are you just looking for new? Can't tell you how many times I've seen military types just drop a 240g system complete with RO/DI unit... And them fall into the hands of non marine aquarists:at_wits_end:

[ismvel]

I have heard of nothing but good things about Buckeye Field Supply units. I don't have one personally. I have an Air Water Ice unit which I love. You can get a water drinking attachment also to replace that culligan's.

www.airwaterice.com (http://www.airwaterice.com)

w/water drinking attachment
http://www.airwaterice.com/c=WfvIKupk9GSIFyCvFmGkMtASx/product/1MAX50/Reverse_Osmosis_Under_Sink_RO.html

[Bill S]

You can pay less, and get a WHOLE lot less.

Just go to www.buckeyefieldsupply.com You will be very happy with your purchase.

[brewercm]

Agree, although I bought mine off of EBAY several years ago my father in law bought the same system and his never worked right.

Sounds like you are doing the same thing as my system is setup to do. Once you get it installed under your sink and the line going from the tank to the spigot on your sink you'll want to put a T on that line. On mine I run a line off of the T through the wall to my garage and to a DI cartridge then to my top off system.
Mine just runs to a float valve in my sump, you can also run to a container of some sort with a float valve and top off from it. You'd just need to decide how you'd like to do yours.

Don't know if you are going on tank tour on Saturday or not, but either way you are welcome to come look at my system if you'd like to get an idea of what you might want to do. Looks like you live semi close to me.

[Texreefer]

+1 for Bills suggestion

[mharmon]

Thanks everyone. Great ideas. Looks like I should call Buckeye field supply. I just wanted a *little* education first so I wouldn't look like a total idiot.

Yes, I would prefer to save a little money and buy used. I'd hate to buy a crappy unit though.

Thanks again,

Mark

[SABOB]

Agree on Buckeye.Have had a unit for about 1 year with no problems.Great people to work with,they don't mind answering simple questions for us non educated folks.

[BuckeyeHydro]

Nearly everyone in the hobby uses RODI for reefs. A typical RODI system is composed of 4 different filters:
1. Sediment filter – removes dirt, sand, etc particles.
2. Carbon filter – removes chlorine and other chemicals like pesticides and solvents
3. Reverse Osmosis Membrane – this is somewhat similar to the sediment filter, except that the "holes" in the membrane are so small that nearly the only thing that can pass through is pure water.
4. Deionization resin filter – this stage removes the few remaining contaminants that made it through the RO membrane.

Once you have a system in front of you and can trace the flow of water through the system with your finger, all this becomes much simpler – you'll see that the system is composed of 4 different "containers" called housings – each holds one of the four filters I described above.

Next, understand that there are some differences between systems available for you to purchase. Systems range form $60 units on ebay, to a $900 system or more. And that's just the start of it. The sky's the limit – you can spend thousands of dollars on systems designed to treat lots of water, or to treat specific contaminants in water. For your purpose, and assuming:
1. You use city water
2. Your water is not treated with chloramines (more on this later)
3. You don't have any particular problem with you water containing lots of sediment

Then you should expect to be up and running with a new system that you'll be happy with over the long run for less than $200.

Some features you should look for in a good system:

• Standard-sized prefilters, membrane, and DI cartridge (so replacement filters are low cost).
• Brand name, high-rejection membrane (that is – a high quality membrane you can trust to remove a high percentage of the contaminants in the water).
• Specifications provided for each stage (You want to know what you are buying – you'll find very inexpensive systems don't provide this information, and in many cases these venders don't understand the systems well enough to provide it.).
• Pressure gauge after the prefilters and before the membrane (this helps you understand if you have enough pressure to run the system, and if you do, it will help you understand when its time to change your sediment filter and carbon filter).
• Thermometer (Output from your system is very much affected by water temperature (and pressure)).
• DI bypass (this is just a little extra tubing and some fittings to provide you easy access to RO water before that water makes it to the DI filter. This is the water you will want to test to see how your RO membrane is working, and also the water you'll want to drink (rather than DI water).

[chark]

Thanks BuckeyeFieldSupply for the great info.

[mharmon]

Thanks everyone for your help.

Looks like the BFS-209 is going to be the winner. (http://www.buckeyefieldsupply.com/showproducts.asp?Category=171&Sub=166)

It's a lot more than I thought I would pay ($277), but I'm sure it will be worth it in the long run.

[Jonthefishguy]

You know there are also brands like Spectrapure as well that may be a bit more affordable for you as well.

[mharmon]

Is Spectrapure a good brand? What is the best vendor to buy one from?

[Jonthefishguy]

I have been using, recommending, and selling Spectrapure RO/DI units for a long time and believe that they are a great product.

[JimD]

Not that they dont have a good product but until Spectrapure or any others can match Buckeyes service and willingness to advise, Buckeye gets my business hands down, every time for sure! Not to mention they're a maast sponsor and should offer a charter discount... Worth looking in to..

[Texreefer]

with so many testimonies for buckeye on here, why would you want to even consider another product.. the pricing and service are great

[DrMark]

Russ at Buckeye provides superior service.
I have emailed him and recieved quick replies, even at 4am.
If you tell him details of your situation, he will customize a unit for you depnding on the quality of your feed water, pressure, usage, etc.
I am getting another unit from him currently, for a different location.
mark

[Bill S]

Really... There are sometimes when having a guy like Russ - is just plain priceless. You might save a few bucks elsewhere, but then what do you do when you need some quick help...

I have TWO el-cheapo units in my garage just sitting there. One from a well-known reef brand. Worked great for a year, and now into the trash!

[mharmon]

It is done. I purchased the BFS-209 and the total including shipping was $296.97.

BTW, BFS does not offer a discount to charter members. That should not influence your decisions however.

[mharmon]

Well, I finished the install just a little while ago.

It was a little frustrating here and there, but a couple of calls to Russ set me straight and I learned a few things in the process.

Here's how my TDS numbers work out for water from...

..the tap out of the Culligan water softener: 300 ppm
...my LFS that I've used since day one: 146 ppm
...the taste filter for drinking: 25 ppm
...the DI port to go into my tank: zero ppm

http://mlharmon.googlepages.com/RO-DI1.jpg

http://mlharmon.googlepages.com/RO-DI2.jpg

[BuckeyeHydro]

Yes! That's what were after! Good deal.