RO/DI system worth it?

[Cammed_02]

I am running 2 tanks, and use about 10 gallons of SW a week between water changes and top offs for the two tanks. I have been looking into getting a RO/DI system to save on trips to get water.

Only having to use 10 gallons a week I was wondering do you think its worth spending the cash on a system?

What size system do you recommend?

[ErikH]

Is it worth your time to not have to lug jugs back and forth? That's the 150 dollar question. The smaller the GPD on the RO membrane typically means cleaner water IIRC. To me, yes, it is worth it.

[350gt]

I love it...... So much more easier to have water on hand when I want.... No more trips to the windmill and not worrying about getting jacked while I'm there... Lol

For you the 75gpd should be good.... My unit took 7 hrs to make 35 gallons and its a 125gpd I believe...

[Mr Cob]

do it

[Cammed_02]

Yeah I figured it would be a pretty good investment. I'm still a little confused as to how they work though, you just connect them to a water line and have a bucket at the end to collect the RO water? What about the waste water?

[Roo&Lis]

I connected mine with a Y fitting for washing machine and the waste drains down the washer drain.

[rrasco]

My Buckeye unit just came in yesterday. I have not hooked it up yet because I'm not sure where it's going. For me, initially, it wasn't worth it on my 29 since the amount of water required was minimal. Now that I am moving to a 210, it's necessary. However, even with my 29, if I didn't have RO ready to top off, I would end up using tap water, which would in turn raise my phosphates and result in algae. When I had RO on hand, I never had that issue.

[LuckySingh]

best investment u can do for ur tank.... go for it

[randomfish]

yes i would get one if i were you one of the best investments for a swt

[alton]

What everyone else said, also it is a good idea to keep 30 gallons of RO/DI water stored just incase something bad happens and you need to make up some salt water in a hurry.

[Europhyllia]

I couldn't imagine NOT having one. Living without an RO unit sounds positively awful.

[randomfish]

I couldn't imagine NOT having one. Living without an RO unit sounds positively awful.
like trying to watch basic tv lol

[Europhyllia]

I don't have cable so I can afford an RO unit ;)

[Cammed_02]

What everyone else said, also it is a good idea to keep 30 gallons of RO/DI water stored just incase something bad happens and you need to make up some salt water in a hurry.

Never thought of this, but with a system this would not be a problem. Definetely gonna order one tonight.


like trying to watch basic tv lol

haha, I'm sure I will feel exactly this way AFTER I get the RO/DI system

[Regric25]

I totally agree with everyone here! When I had mine I hung it on the wall in my garage and ran the waste water line to my flowerbed and got a new rubber maid trashcan from HD with the lid (food grade) and installed a ball valve at the bottom and placed on a stand I made out of 2x4s. I took the clean water line and installed a float valve at the top and kept the water in the ON position 24/7. When I needed water I got my bucket and put it under the valve and opened it up and got what I needed. The float valve would trigger and it would automatically refill it. Might be a good idea to run a redundant float valve just in case the first one fails. If its out in the garage you might also consider putting a heater in the trashcan to keep water at temp. This way i always had a steady supply of RODI anytime I need it.

[350gt]

louis had some BRS in stock, if thats what I saw on the floor today...... why wait?


believe me bro, I thought it wasnt so bad carrying all that water. I mean the windmill is right up the street from me...... But now I dont know why I didnt get one sooner....

[350gt]

Yeah I figured it would be a pretty good investment. I'm still a little confused as to how they work though, you just connect them to a water line and have a bucket at the end to collect the RO water? What about the waste water?


if you ever want to drop by and see how mine is ran... LMK

my washer line had a valve going to the washer, which was very fortunate for me... But I just added a 2way valve to that then connected the washer to one and the RO unit to the other...... My drain line is ghettofied and runs across my garage out the front into the grass.... why waste water?

[Regric25]

Plus you can make your own clean filtered drinking water!! Double win! :)

[randomfish]

if you ever want to drop by and see how mine is ran... LMK

my washer line had a valve going to the washer, which was very fortunate for me... But I just added a 2way valve to that then connected the washer to one and the RO unit to the other...... My drain line is ghettofied and runs across my garage out the front into the grass.... why waste water?

i run mine off the washer with a y splitter also

[allan]

I've had mine for a couple of years now, definitely nice to have. Before I was just using tap water with a dechlorinator.

Beware the 24/7 on with a float. I run mine this way, but I monitor the sound of waste water running out. If you can't do this then you could end up paying for it.

A few months ago I discovered the four way valve thing that is supposed to only run waste water WHILE making rodi was stuck open.

Can you say $390 water bill? My wife was upset. Very upset. As upset as only a latina can pull off.

It wouldn't surprise me to learn that more than one marriage has been ruined by this hobby.

[cowboy572]

They are worth the investment. I have had mine for a couple of years now and been through the learning curve with it. I used to go to a water store on the corner of Marbach and Hunt at night sometimes and worried about getting jacked as well. No more worries now, just need to hard mount it. I connect it and remove it from my outside faucet when water is needed. I think thats why I have problems with mt TDS readings, I can never get them to zero. The connecting, removing, and inconsistent pressure on the membrane is why I can not get a constant zero reading each time I make water.

[Regric25]

Beware the 24/7 on with a float. I run mine this way, but I monitor the sound of waste water running out. If you can't do this then you could end up paying for it.

A few months ago I discovered the four way valve thing that is supposed to only run waste water WHILE making rodi was stuck open.

Can you say $390 water bill? My wife was upset. Very upset. As upset as only a latina can pull off.

It wouldn't surprise me to learn that more than one marriage has been ruined by this hobby.

I got mine from aquarium designs and he put a cut off valve on there that unless the float valve was tiggered nothing would run. Not event he waste water. If the float valve shut off everything shut off so there was no unessisary waste. Worked like a charm for me. :)

[allan]

I got mine from aquarium designs and he put a cut off valve on there that unless the float valve was tiggered nothing would run. Not event he waste water. If the float valve shut off everything shut off so there was no unessisary waste. Worked like a charm for me. :)

Yep, me too... Until mine failed. I replaced it and now pay attention to the tell tale signs in case it fails again.

[Europhyllia]

Things always work -until they don't lol

[Cammed_02]

Woohoo SpectraPure RO/DI system has been ordered!

Feel free to post up your setups, im thinking brute can, some sort of stand.... and a ball check valve.

[Cammed_02]

Thanks to all who posted, yall helped save me back pain down the road lugging those jugs.

[randomfish]

i have the the spectra pure 4 stage and i love it good unit if you have any questions just ask

[Cammed_02]

Yep thats the one i ordered in 90 gpd, sounds like everyone likes it based on all the reviews I read.

[randomfish]

thats what i have great unit

[grouch]

Figure time and gas and qualiity of water you are buying. I got one from Air Water Ice with with a sink drinking water hookup and a free TDS Meter. I checked LFS water it came out 24ppm now I am running 0ppm.