RO/DI

[jasonrog]

My wife just got a job in a water purification wholesaler. I can get a RO unit at cost I don't know a thing about them. What should I look for?Here is the link to the company. Scroll down the page and let me know if any of these are acceptable or not.http://www.westheat.com/water.html
Thanks
Jason

 

[O P Ing]

hi.
They are usual water filtration stuff. What is important is the price.

 

[AgentSPS]

As with most industries, water purification has a lot of "smoke and mirrors" All RO and RO/DI units really work on the same simple principal. Force high pressure water into canister filters containing carbon, RO membrane(s), and sometimes a DI canister. There are variations from brand to brand (ie mainly features such as purity meters, pressure gauges, flush valves, etc). IMHO what is most important is the filter media you are using. I personally use SpectraPures product because they do such a great job in MARKETING to the aquarium trade. They claim that they test their filter media before packaging. I just like the fact that they "certify" their stuff for aquarium use. So in closing, save money on the housings and spend the cash on the filter media.


TEAM? DO WE ALL AGREE?

 

[O P Ing]

hi.
I like SpectraPure and willing to pay more for their product because of their excellent service. Everytime I called them, they are very professional and knowledgeable. No sale push, just honest advice. I like that.

The water filtration industry pretty much use standard equipment, and in the residential equipement, pretty much everything is interchangeable. So what is important is the price (if you don't consider the service aspect). I noticed that some of the companies have incorrect documentation on their product, and this is really bad for people who is not familiar with the setup. I am going to say which company, but just say that it is not SpectraPure.

 

[quazi]

jasonrog, these look like good filters. However, they do not have a DI filter. You may want to purchase a de-ionizer (DI) for post filtration processing. You can add that on separately.

The DI filter contains ion exchange resins which remove the last traces of contaminants from the RO product water. A worthwhile investment IMHO.

If the price is right, go for it. RO/DI filtration solves many ills in the reef aquarium.

Incidently, what can you get a 5 stage, 100 gallon a day, unit for? Just curious to the markup on those things. I spent ~ $200 for mine. Well worth it

 

[Nelliereefster]

I disagree, the DI portion is usually more trouble than it's worth. A good RO unit will take out the lion's share of bad stuff.

A good thriving refugium will zap the other stuff a DI filter would get. Save some money, get the Kent Hi-S RO unit. Very good!

 

[O P Ing]

hi.
For some people, a RO is sufficient. But this is not true for everybody. Just do whatever your preference leads you to, there are many way to achieve the same result.

 

[Vixyswillie]

I disagree, the DI portion is usually more trouble than it's worth. A good RO unit will take out the lion's share of bad stuff. A good thriving refugium will zap the other stuff a DI filter would get.

Agree that RO-only units are popular with many aquarists and are very effective. According to Aquatic Reef Systems, for example, the RO stage will remove 88-95% of TDS - and adding DI will increase that figure to approximately 99%.

Confused as to how a "thriving refugium" will affect residual TDS not removed by the RO.

 

[tonytooth]

I disagree, the DI portion is usually more trouble than it's worth. A good RO unit will take out the lion's share of bad stuff.
A good thriving refugium will zap the other stuff a DI filter would get. Save some money, get the Kent Hi-S RO unit. Very good!

Dude...you have no idea! First of all the DI is the one of the most important parts of the system. Second, Kents RO units suck. I have tested water from a friends system with a TDS meter and it was crazy high. I have a 5 stage double DI system from Spectrapure. My sediment filter is 1/2 micron. Yours is at least 1 micron. My water reads less than 1 on a TDS meter. You can't beat it. Water quality is priority one in a reef tank.

I like SpectraPure and willing to pay more for their product because of their excellent service. Everytime I called them, they are very professional and knowledgeable. No sale push, just honest advice. I like that.

I agree O P Ing.

I noticed that some of the companies have incorrect documentation on their product, and this is really bad for people who is not familiar with the setup. I am going to say which company, but just say that it is not SpectraPure.

Spectrapure is the best period. Also if you have chloramines, then you will deffinately want DI. That Kent system will not remove the amonia from chloramines. Did you hear that...I said AMONIA. My second DI cartridge is the AR (amonia removal).

Save some money, get the Kent Hi-S RO unit.

Please don't..the money you save here, you will loose 10 times over in the future.

 

[monkeyboy]

Dude...you have no idea! First of all the DI is the one of the most important parts of the system. Second, Kents RO units suck. I have tested water from a friends system with a TDS meter and it was crazy high. I have a 5 stage double DI system from Spectrapure. My sediment filter is 1/2 micron. Yours is at least 1 micron. My water reads less than 1 on a TDS meter. You can't beat it. Water quality is priority one in a reef tank.

Spectrapure is the best period. Also if you have chloramines, then you will deffinately want DI. That Kent system will not remove the amonia from chloramines. Did you hear that...I said AMONIA. My second DI cartridge is the AR (amonia removal).

Please don't..the money you save here, you will loose 10 times over in the future.

Dude, i wouldn't be so quick to shoot down Kent's R/O unit, even after the "crazy high" levels that were detected from your friends unit. I run a properly maintained Kent Hi-S Maxxima and experience 1-10 tds from the membrane and 0 tds from the product water (post DI). My guess would be that your friend needs to do a better job of taking care of his unit, or something is not functioning correctly. One person with sketchy product water is hardly basis to deface an entire line of RO units. There are piles of people that use Kent RO and maxxima units and have no problems with them. The brand on these things makes little difference. What are your sources on the chloramine removal statement, id like to read up on that.

BTW, he's not going to buy a Kent unit or a Spectrapure unit, if anyone actually read the origional post, he's getting one from the company he works for. So, to answer that question: Any RO unit with a 1 micron or better sediment filter and carbon block should be sufficient. You can get better quality water with a post DI unit, but i didn't see any on that site. Your best bet would be to buy one of those nice dual stage TDS meters and see for yourself, if you want cleaner water you can always add on a DI later. HTH

 

[tonytooth]

What are your sources on the chloramine removal statement

I am the source. Do you know what chloromines are? It's Amonia and Chlorine. How do you remove all the amonia? I understand that they are all similar as far as fittings and housings go but it is the filters that make the difference. I guarantee that the RO membrane that Kent uses isn't as good as a Spectrapure membrane, that's probably the reason the cost is lower. I have done alot of research on RO/DI units. By the way, my friend had just purchased his unit when we tested his water. I know alot of people own Kents untis. I shouldn't say they are junk because they aren't. I am just saying that water quality is very important and I would hate for someone to skimp out just because of price. Maybe I am just too partial to Spectrapure but I know my water is cleaner than yours

 

[Nelliereefster]

Well, we've come full circle. My point on the refugium is this:

A nearly "out of control, algae-wise" refugium, will absorb a great deal of the phantom "TDS" worries that you preach as the bane of the captive reef.

Emotional backing of your belief is noteworthy, but next time, try to make sure your scientific "conclusion" is based on facts, dude.

 

[tonytooth]

Emotional backing of your belief is noteworthy, but next time, try to make sure your scientific "conclusion" is based on facts, dude.

Here's some scientific facts for you:
1. My water reads less than 1 on a TDS meter. (yours aint close)
2. Equivilant stage systems, Spectrapure produces better water than Kent.
3. My water is better for a reef tank than yours.
Those are the facts!

 

[monkeyboy]

I guarantee that the RO membrane that Kent uses isn't as good as a Spectrapure membrane

Or my money back? :lol:

Here's some scientific facts for you:
1. My water reads less than 1 on a TDS meter. (yours aint close)
2. Equivilant stage systems, Spectrapure produces better water than Kent.
3. My water is better for a reef tank than yours.
Those are the facts!

Wow, those are quite the scientific facts, i especially like the "my water is better than yours" one. So, you've proven that you know nothing about what your talking about except that you get chloramine when you put ammonia and chlorine together. I also said that my product water reads 0 ppm TDS, but i suppose that doesn't matter (as if our instruments were of scientific quality anyways to be comparing our results when they're so close).

I think we've learned quite enough from this thread, no more pointless arguing for me.

 

[Newts]

Does anyone know were the RO membranes are made?(Spectrapure and Kent don't actually produce thier own membranes)I remember hearing one time that DuPont pretty mutch produces all membranes.I think they were the inventers of this product.All these companies just build the unit that house the filters.That would mean that all RO membranes are equal.I'm not absolutly sure of this so if anyone knows for sure please correct me.

 

[tonytooth]

MonkeyBoy...that post wasn't for you and your DI system. I am talking about RO vs. RO/DI and you have DI.

That would mean that all RO membranes are equal.

NOT!

 

[justletmein]

The DI is what removes Phosphates from what I understand...

 

[Newts]

tonytooth could you explaine how you know this.Maybe say what other companies make membranes.The way you answer on this post makes you sound so intellegent.NOT!!Like I said let me know if I'm wrong,but you can't seem to give any good explanation to any of your answers.So please tell me who else manufactures membranes,I'd like to know why I'm wrong,DUDE!

 

[jasonrog]

I would be able to get the five stage unit for about $180.00. Don't forget that this is Canadian dollars. If I were to buy this and add on a DI unit, would I be happy with this? Would it be borderline accetable or better. I don't want to buy something that would be just okay. Thanks
Jason

 

[monkeyboy]

Go for it. The only 5 stage units i know of use 2 DI cartriges, or a piggy back RO and a DI. Find out what the filters are in it, you may already be getting a DI.