Is it time to stop buying water?

I currently buy 5 gallons RO ($.50 per gallon) and 10 gallons saltwater ($1.00 per gallon) per week. $12.50 a week, $50 a month. Is it cost effective for me to start making my own water?

Took a look a SpectraPure website. $200 to $900 for RO/DI units. If I settle for the $200 unit, will the water produced be that much worse than the $900 unit? I would expect the local LFS's would have higher end units.

I recently purchased a Dual Phosphate/Carbon reactor from BRS. they seem to have a nice 5 stage "Plus" unit for the same $200.

Should I even consider a used unit?

Needing only 15 gallons a week, if the unit sits idle most of the time, does that damage the filter/membrane materials?

Gotta factor in not only unit, but also cost of salt. I know salt prices will vary widely. And I would want to use "better" salt, at least for piece of mind. Also replacement filters and membranes.

Thanks to all for any input.

 

Definitely look into a RODI unit.

 

Heck yeah it's time for you to get an RO/DI unit, it was the best thing I ever did, as I used to buy 10g of water per week. I got my 90gpd SpectraPure unit a year ago and have never looked back. You can get one for $145 + shipping from this link, the CSPDI-90, great price: SpectraPure Customer Appreciation SALE! 20% - 50% off

The problem with a used unit is you are relying on the previous owners info on how old the membranes/filters are. With something like that I'd much rather get brand new so there's no wondering.

 

+1 RO/DI unit is definitely worth the money. it will pay for itself in the long run. Watch getting your water from the LFS. Most arent going to change the filters nearly as often as they should.

 

+3^^^ just got my spectrapure this last week and allready feeling it was one of the best investments for my tank that i could have made.

 

+1 to Spectrapure. I got the MaxCap (249 on the sale page), but the CSP-DI should work for you, which is 145 on the sale page.

 

The CSP-DI will produce better water than 99% of the small LFS. Many large major LFS across the country and most of the big brand coffe shops use Spectrapure units, in the case of the coffe shops they make RO/DI then remineralize it with just the right levels to make the coffee taste best.

The CSP-DI would pay for itself in 3 months at $145 versus $50 a month plus gasoline and your time to purchase water. I have run the numbers many times and it calculates out to much less than 5 cents a gallon to make your own water including water and sewer rates, tariffs and taxes and even the 6 month filter replacements too. Pretty darn cheap and you have ultimate control of its quality!

I also use the MaxCap but in the UHE version. I'm in Phoenix with a tap water TDS over 800, with RO only it gets it down to between 5 and 6 then the dual DI takes it to 0 easily after that. You won't find better units than Spectrapure anywhere at any price and the $100 off makes it even sweeter.

 

RODI! Also factor in the time and gas money to drive to the LFS. Me having a big V8 and driving about 30 miles round trip with water being about $1.10 a gallon, it was well worth it to me and I can guarantee it will for you.

I also recently bought the Spectrapure 90GPD and it works great!

 

I know I am kinda stumbling on this a little late, but I got my RODI unit through Airwaterice.com for $150 and its 75 gpd

Aquarium Water | Reverse Osmosis | RODI Water | ReefKeeper Water | Typhoon 5 stage RODI Reefkeeper 75 GPD

just fyi

 

This is a good way to go,it will give you zero tds water to use with your salt mix which is all you need.The convenience of having your own unit and not lugging water from the store is priceless!!!