RO/DI Help Calling All Experts

I had been going back and fourth 3 years ago on what type of RO/DI system to buy, and at that time I decided to go with a smartreef.com system as it was cheaper than the spectrapure.

The unit worked great, I had ~200TDS going in and 0 coming out after I got the system all dialed in. I have a friend that has a Spectrapure unit CSPDI-90 (90GPD). The unit I have from Smartreef is a 75gpd unit. We both live int he same area, so i know the source water is the same. His spectrapure unit has by far, in the end, cost less than my smartreef.com system. The resins in the DI cartridge from smartreef.com go bad within 2 months of use, and I believe its due to the seemingly cheap RO membrane. Which I have had to replace often as well. his was still 90+% efficient and 0 TDS

In a perfect world, Id own a UHE100 model. Overall I was pleased with the quality of the smartreef, but the membrane and the cartridges they use certainly do not compare to the quality and output of the Spectrapure that my buddies got. We did a somewhat controlled experiment over 2 months. We both produced the same amount of RO water, and after 2 months I was beginning to read 2-5 TDS on my output, and my DI membrane had already shifted from blue to brown fast.

im at about a 5:1 ratio right now with my smartreef.com and he's at a 4:1 on his spectrapure.

dont know if this helps, but this is what ive found over the last 3 years of using this smartreef.com system. at this point, looking back, and comparing the pricing - im going to put a spectrapure system on my personal reef related christmas list this year lol

 

+1 love my spectrapure unit. probably the best thing ive invested into with this hobby.

 

+1 one to this. His knowledge of RODI systems is incredible.

 

Thanks!! I just placed my order.