Is DI all it's cracked up to be?

So I have a stricly RO (with a pre-filter) water filter for my tap water used for my tank that has been fine for a few years. Until recently, that is, - I found that it was not keeping out phosphates (and who knows what else), so I ended up with algae everywhere and a mess (that's a whole other thread). Anyway, in the process of trying to assertain what happened the conclusion was that the membrane on the RO filter got a tear or hole etc. in it and would need to be replaced. My question is this: I can replace that membrane for like $45 - $50 or I can invest in a whole new filter - one with the DI portion of it. But I'm not 100% sure of all the benefits I would get from the DI portion and if it would in fact be worth the difference in the cost of $45 to like $200. What can you all tell me about that?
Also, assuming that I did go with a RO/DI replacement, can any of you recommend a good one that is inexpensive? I just have a 55 gallon tank so I'm not to concerned about gallons per day, and I don't have loads of funds to spend right now (which is why I was considering just a new RO membrane).

Thanks as always for all the help - you guys are all great here!

 

I have to say that there is an improvement when using DI water. I started out not knowing any better with city water... After the few months of outbreak of all kinds of algae, and being chewed on by my fiance I went out got two 5 gallon bottles and started filling them with RO. It helped but then my dad offered the DI from his shop so I jumped on that. And almost right away I noticed that the cyano had gone away and other pesky issues with algae went away as well.

So in short DI is well worth it! As for cheap systems if you look at a few of the sponsored sections at the bottom of the forums you might find one that works out well. I think one is PureH20 and there's a few others, plus other members I'm sure will have recommendations. I still need to buy my DI unit but for now I'll leach from my dads source =P

 

It's tough to go wrong with a spectrapure system. I love mine and it made a huge improvement over RO only water. No more pest algae.

 

The DI portion removes the nitrate and phosphate from your water along with other cations and anions you do not want in your water.

 

I love my spectrapure
Here is the one I got 128 plus shipping.
MAXPURE MPDI SYSTEM

 

Is that all you need? Do you need extra accessories? I am new to RO/DI system still shopping one for my new tank.

 

Deionization Resin..ummm good... : ) eliminates many many many issues.8)

 

DI resin provides that final polishing and contaminant removal that we desire for aquariums, especially our SilicaBuster cartridge since it is highly effective at silicate removal.
Our add-on DI stages are simple to install and come with everything needed, just feed with water from your RO.

Happy Reefing!

Shane,
SpectraPure, Inc.

 

The resident Guru on water will tell you that Spectrapure sells the best system for the price, and he says he doesn't work for them either. AZDESRAt ithink is his handle.

I've read many of his posts, I believe him.

Look into those, I've heard they're around $125?

 

He works in wastewater treatment in NV (I think it's Nevada). He knows water better than any of us care too lol.

Edit: I'm retarded... why would AZdesertrat work in NV.... long day.