what ro/di to buy?

[spynltap]

I am looking to buy a ro/di unit and would like advice. Is there a significant diffenence between a 3,4 or 5 stage unit? I have read the specs but does it really matter in the overall water quality for your tank? I am willing to spend the money if the results are better. Any recommendations about a specific unit (brand). There seems to be a wide variance in cost and I wonder if you get what you pay for or if there is really any difference.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Anonymous]

It really depends on the type of the stages. For minimium, you need a sediment prefilter, a carbon prefilter, a RO, and a DI post filter. That is alread 4 stages. If you want to use the RO water for drinking, you will need to tee off the line between RO and DI with a carbon post filter.

I will look for canister DI filter (same size as the prefilters), not those disposible DI post filter (thinner, and you need to throw away the whole thing, including the connectors.)

 

[ChrisRD]

Without knowing what your tapwater is like it's hard to say for sure, but in general the regular 4-stage RO/DI units (sediment prefilter > carbon prefilter > RO membrane > DI cartridge) are more than adequate for most reefkeeping applications.

Any of the common brands are fine. I've been very happy with the unit I got from http://www.aquaticreefsystems.com/. A lot of people have said good things about http://www.airwaterice.com/ as well. Of course you can always check the sponsor list too - all quality vendors.

HTH

 

[benthos]

Very happy with the Compact reefkeeper 5 stage unit from air water ice. Specially coming from a kent bare bones 2 stage unit. Finally got a TDS meter through air water ice as well and Im embarrased to say what the Kent unit tested at. Suffice to say Im now algae free.