RO/DI filter question

This may be a stupid question but, when you replace your resin for DI, Do you have to use the same brand as the filter is or will any DI resin work?

It seems with the carbon filters and the RO membrane you would have to use what is designed to fit the manufacturer unit, right?

TIA

 

Any DI resin will work but they are not all created equal.
Most rodi use a standard 10" filter but there are exceptions.AZ will be here any sec ond.lol

 

If you have a normal reef quality RO/DI the sediment and carbon block filters will all be standard 10" replacement size. As Vinny said though, not all filters and resins are the same quality. Cheaper, less efficient and higher micron sediment filters will not provide the same level of protection for the billions of tiny microscopic pores in the carbon block so it will plug or foul quicker and possibly lead to damage of the RO membrane and more frequent DI replacements. Carbon blocks are rated not only by micron size but also their ability to adsorb chlorine and volatiles from the tap water so it protects the RO membrane which is damaged by even small traces of chlorine.

DI resins vary tremendously. Myself I used to buy bulk resins from a well known vendor but found I was only getting 150 gallons per 20 oz refill no matter what I tried. I switched to a different vendor and the very first DI refill lasted 830 measured gallons with no other changes! With a little tweaking I now get over 1000 gallons per DI cartridge and my tap water TDS is over 600. Even though they fit, not all filters or resins are the same. Shop wisely, what seems like a good deal price wise may end up costing you much more over the long haul. You may spend a little more up front but when the filter or resin lasts 3 or more times longer it is worth it.

 

Alright, so I think i need to replace all but the ro membrane at this time. So i should buy the sediment and the carbon from the manufacturer?

What Micron should i get for carbon, given i have a choice? And is there a term for absorption ability?

What do I look for in DI resins so i can make sure I am buying quality resin?

 

He's probably gonna recommend the Spectrapure di resin.
Its specifically blended for use on aquariums.8)

 

Go to spectrapure. The best.

 

I have 2 carbon filters on my unit. would i use the same micron for each or do 1 micron for the first .5 on the second or is .5 on both better?

 

Toss one of the carbons as it is not necessary when using a good quality, low micron sediment filter. I recommend a 0.5 or 1.0 micron sediment filter, a single 0.5 or 1.0 micron carbon block, the RO membrane and Spectrapures SilicaBuster DI resin in the DI if you have a single DI or you can use your extra unused carbon canister and turn your system into a dual DI. In that case I would recommend Spectrapure MaxCap DI in the first DI canister and SilicaBuster in the second.
It is very easy to replumb the extra carbon canister into a DI requiring maybe 20-30 minutes for a first timer and maybe $5-$8 in parts if you don't already have them.

 

i have one sediment, 2 carbon, ro and 2 di chambers. So you think i should only use one carbon and i already have 2 di, so would l leave the second carbon slot for a second sediment or just nothing?

 

Are your present DI's full size verticals or the small horizontals? If they are verticals then I would leave the extra carbon canister empty or remove it, if they are horizontals I would replumb the vertical canister as the first DI then remount one of the horizontals into a vertical orientation so it fills from the bottom and exits the top as the second DI.