Advice on RO/DI

Hey, I'm ready to take the plunge and get a real RO/DI filter (have been using chemicals and pretend RO units and buying RO water thus far). Can anyone lay suggestions on brands, models, features etc that'd be good to look for? Also, any specific retailers (web or otherwise) that would be good to purchase from might be helpful too. Want to make sure I spend my hard earned cash on something that'll last me and fit my needs.

 

Good call.

I own a Spectapure (www.spectrapure.com) RO/DI unit that I am extremely happy with. They have a stellar rep in the biz and their customer service/tech support is top notch. They really know their stuff and will help you dial it in. They wet test their RO membranes before shipping them to insure they are up to snuff, many don't. They are pricey though.

3reef sponsor Air,Water, Ice Inc. (www.airwaterice.com) has some impressive looking units for less money. And many come standard with some nice options such as quicklink faucet attachments. I don't have one, but Birdlady does and loves hers. They do have a excellent digital TDS (total dissolved solids) meter as well for like $30 bucks that I did pick up. It's very handy and easy to use.

I added a pressure gauge to my unit and I recommend making sure your RO unit has one. I had my running with very low pressure prior to getting one. Apparently RO membranes do not filter as well with low pressure. The optimum pressure is 40 - 80 psi.

Hope this helps...

matt

 

I would also like to add that I used to have a spectrapure unit before I got my new unit from airwaterice and I was very satisified with both of them they were very easy to use and always gave me quality water.

 

I purchased this unit here on Ebay and have been very pleased with it. It even comes with a complete set of extra cartridges (except the RO membrane). All for $107.00 shipped.

There are only 2 caveats I would mention. The instructions, while lengthy, assume a drinking water unit that includes a storage tank. So you have to figure out what to eliminate. The second problem has nothing to do with the unit itself. The saddle valve that comes with it (and all of these needle piercing valves IMO) are terrible! It worked for awhile, but then would not shut off and I did not realize it until my wife asked me why there was water dripping out of the ceiling light in the living room!!! Do yourself a favor, put the valve on to get your supply, but then leave it on, go to Lowes or HomeDepot and buy a ball valve for Poly tubing and put it in the supply line. use that to turn on/off the supply. The unit has an automatic shutoff if you block the RO output. I tested it and it seems to work fine, but I just feel more comfortable turning of the supply and knowing there is no pressure in the cartridges.

I have run better than 200 gallons through it and it still tests 0 TDS.

 

me i got this one from ebay and have had no problems with it even came with a tds-3 meter and a psi meter


http://cgi.ebay.com/AQUA-SAFE-AQUAR...401849229QQcategoryZ20684QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://www.aquasafecanada.com/Aquarium.jpg
(edited large pic)

 

I bought my typhoon III from airwaterice.com and while the first one had a small leak on it, I called and spoke to walter about what to use to seal it myself and he sent out an entirely new top unit so all I had to do was put my filters and covers on and send him my leaky one back! AWESOME customer service...would definately buy from them again.

 

I also have a typhoon from air water and ice, and it is awesome and service is great!!! ;D

 

I've got an AquaFX Barracuda 4-Stage RO/DI System and have had no problems with it.