WTB RO/DI system

[Agent Jones]

i apprecite all your guys input however i have to keep in mind my budget. This is my second hobby. my main hobby is my mustang. So if i get it wrong, by under budgeting then i will accept my downfalls. I got the tank at such a steal if i messed up one time and figured out this wasnt for me, i could sell everything and recoup 95% of my money

[Bill S]

Yes, soft water is easier on an RO/DI unit - especially here in SA. But, your incoming TDS is still very, very high, for reef inhabitants. Also yes, installing a water softener in a house not pre-plumbed can be anything from "not too bad" to "what was I thinking!".

If you have some patience, decent units do occasionally show up. But, most experiences show you will throw money at a used unit. Rarely do they show up with "just changed the membrane and filters!" in the ad!

[Agent Jones]

Yes, soft water is easier on an RO/DI unit - especially here in SA. But, your incoming TDS is still very, very high, for reef inhabitants. Also yes, installing a water softener in a house not pre-plumbed can be anything from "not too bad" to "what was I thinking!".

If you have some patience, decent units do occasionally show up. But, most experiences show you will throw money at a used unit. Rarely do they show up with "just changed the membrane and filters!" in the ad!

yeah ours was "what was i thinking". they had to run pipes underground around the whole house because the water line and softener were on opposite sides of the drive way. They tried to go underneath the drive way but that didnt work.

also, so once i do get a RO/DI unit, do i run hard or soft water through the RO/DI when putting water in the aquarium? The water softner i had installed has a shut off valve so i can do either one.

[mharmon]

You want to run soft water through your RO/DI unit.

[Agent Jones]

You want to run soft water through your RO/DI unit.

ok thanks,

thats what i figured but one person said "If you plan on using "soft water" for your tank, you will crash and burn. Just being honest.?"

i know RO/DI is best but just because you dont use one doesnt mean it waill "crash and burn" i have seen a couple of different reef tanks using just regular tap water.

[JimD]

Whats your source TDS?

[Bill S]

i know RO/DI is best but just because you dont use one doesnt mean it waill "crash and burn" i have seen a couple of different reef tanks using just regular tap water.

Really? I'd like to see photos. Fish Only? Maybe. But stony corals? No way.

[brewercm]

There you go getting Bill and Jim all riled up again. JK
There are probably very few if any long term "reef" tanks that are kept up without RO/DI water.
Remember that the passion about all this is because this site is really for sharing experience and knowledge much before buying and selling.
That being said I bought a unit off of Ebay many years ago that I've been very pleased with, bought another for my in-laws house that was nothing but a disaster. So be careful what you get.

[Gseclipse02]

i bought a BFS one about 2 weeks ago and i finally set it up but my tds from my tap water is 247 and my DI water is 0 .... i love it !!!! and i dont have to leave my house any more !!!

go with there value series its like 129 or so ....

[seamonkey2]

dude you paid $1500 for a water softener???? you got robbed big time, I got a pretty big one I think is 72,000 grains, with an extra large holding tank for $500 last fall.

I know is hard to spend the money, but I know most of the guys here that have given you advice and listen to them, they are just helping you from their own experience.

good luck.

Jose