LED or RO?

[Tom@HaslettMI]

I have some spare $ to spend on the reef... I'm trying to decided which of the above I should get. The LED array would only be one of 3 or 4 modules I would need, but I would incorporate the LEDs with T5HO right away. The RO (possibly w/DI) would mean no more trips to the store lugging bottles of RO water.

Please vote and provide insight on which you voted for.

Thanks for your input,
Tom

P.S. The goal of this poll is to gather info. So, PLEASE post your thoughts. My decision will be based more on the info. posted than the actual vote tally.

[creefer]

Tom,

If I was in your shoes I would without a doubt get an RO/DI unit. IMO, there is no reason for RO without DI. It's not much more of an additional cost and is worth it. It's the most pure and clean water you can get. Further, the LED technology is only going to get cheaper. So, if it's one or the other, RO/DI. Further, it's nice to always have water on hand with no trips anywhere to get water to only then have to mix it.

HTH,

Chris

[CalmSeasQuest]

RO and DI.

To me, starting with perfect water is more important. If you're currently using RO water - depending on the quality of you RO, you may see an overall improvement with the switch to RO/DI and zero TDS.

It's so hard to get nutrients out, I think it's worth every effort to keep from unintentionally introducing them.

[AZDesertRat]

Water is the single largest ingredient in a reef system and everything depends on it. Having your own RO/DI gives you ultimate control of your water quality.

[zenpytho]

hey tom go to purewaterclub.com 6 stage rodi
Aqua Reef RO DI Reverse Osmosis water System ROH-6BB-100
[ROH-6BB-100] $100.00

cant beat it

[AZDesertRat]

You get what you pay for with RO/DI systems and many are ebay quality at best. Expect to pay between $150 and $250 for a true reef quality system unlike the drinking water systems that sell for around $100 or less. The differences are many and usually include things like lower micron rated prefilters and carbon blocks which do a much better job of protecting the name brand RO membrane, a full size 20 oz vertical refillable DI filter, an inline pressure gauge, a TDS meter and more. Many of the low end systems will have small horizontal tubes for DI filters that are very inefficient due to channelling and short circuiting (wate rtakes the path of least resistance along the bottom of the tube) plus they often only holed 6 to 9 oz of resin not 20 oz. The prefilters are often about as effective as a screen door and the carbon often lasts as little as 1000-1500 gallons versus 20,000 gallons for a good unit.

Shop wisely and look at more than the initial cost alone. Usually the low cost systems end up costing much more in the long run.

[Sir Patrick]

Since ya got lights already, I vote get the RO. If ya didnt have lights already, my vote would be different.

The only thing that would change my vote is-

If you were to get the LED's, which I would guess are more expensive than the RO unit, how long down the road would it be before you got an RO unit?

Taking a shot in the dark here, but- at my guess on price differences, the RO wouldnt hurt the wallet the way a LED light can.....so, if ya plan on getting the RO unit very soon, go ahead and get the LED instead.

If the RO and LED are close in price though- definitly get the RO first.

[iyachtuxivm]

I hate to be a party pooper too (cause we all know LEDs are the bomb) But I say RODI also. I remember lugging water from the store it wasnt the most fun thing to do. RODI All the way!

[Tom@HaslettMI]

I sense a trend. :)

Thanks for the input so far everyone. Please keep 'em coming.

Tom

[brandeewyne]

i'm jumping on the bandwagon for this one and voting for the RO/DI unit.

i think the bases have been covered as far as reasoning why; more control over your water quality, alleviate all those trips to the store, you already have lighting and the LED upgrade will be dropping in price over the next few months.

i do suggest investing the time to research RODI units thoroughly before making your final decision on which is right for you. Marc Levenson has some great Q/A on his site (Melev's Reef (http://www.melevsreef.com/shop/index.html)) that you may find helpful .. check the page for the 100gpd system, the graphic will give you the basic breakdown of a RODI system and has some helpful information tucked in the description.

[CalmSeasQuest]

I echo the prior remarks about doing your homework - All RO/DIs are certainly not the same.

My first RO was a 4-stage unit sold through a marine vendor designed to do both RO/DI for the reef and RO for drinking (included an accumulator.) The problem was one of the filters was undersized, mounted horizontally and required frequent replacement. The poor performance of that filter reduced the performance and longevity of every filter thereafter. Because of the non-standard size filter, I was also limited as to the replacement cartridges. After much research, I replaced that unit after about a year with a BRS 6 stage RO/DO that I was able to customize to my exact water source and needs (~500 TDS well water.)

I quickly learned the most expensive part of running an RO/DI is the DI resin. My current RO produces 2 TDS water whereas my prior model struggled to create 10 TDS. The upgrade resulted in my Di resin lasting 500% longer.

There are many great choices in RO/DI - For reference, here's what I built...

BRS Build Your Own RO/DI (http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/build-your-own-ro-system.html)

Build Your Own RO System - 6 stage Deluxe RO w/ Dual DI

Stage One - 5 Micron Sediment Filter
Stage Two - 5 Micron Carbon Block (cto/2)
Stage Three - 1 Micron Carbon Block (+1)
Stage Four (Membrane) - Dowtech Filmtec 75 Gallons Per Day (98% Rejection)
Stage Five (on it's own bracket) - Dual DI

Accessories
Heavy Duty Dual TDS meter (DM-2)
Auto shut off valve
Pressure Gauge (oil)
Flush Kit

I found that build fit my specific needs. The pressure gauge helps you determine when the pre-filters need to be replaced. The back-flush valve extends the life of the membrane. Dual TDS meters allow you to monitor both the quality of the water leaving the RO and the final product. I also like having a handheld TDS to Double check the built in meters and to verify the source water quality.

However, as everyone's source water and needs are different, you need to do your own homework (i.e. if your water source contains Chloramines, you'll need a different filter set.) The total cost for my build was ~$230, but after the initial investment, the lesser filter costs and increased DI resin longevity provides for better water quality, less maintenance and lower cost/gallon overall.

[schminksbro]

RO for sure. Not only will it insure you have good quality source water but it will save your back! You will find yourself wondering why you didn't get one long ago.:thumbsup:

[Sandman]

RO....I couldn't imagine reefing with out it. I have changed out almost 80 gallons over the last 10 days. I hate moving it up a flight of stairs, but certainly couldn't have to imagine going to the store to get it. Plus, you won't fight the urges every trip and you will save money faster for the LEDs.

[Tom@HaslettMI]

RO....I couldn't imagine reefing with out it. I have changed out almost 80 gallons over the last 10 days. I hate moving it up a flight of stairs, but certainly couldn't have to imagine going to the store to get it. Plus, you won't fight the urges every trip and you will save money faster for the LEDs.

I've been reefing for almost 20 years and never had one! Sounds like its time.

Tom

[Heidi]

RODI is what I would buy before LEds. I don't even have a LFS so I gotta risk life and limb lol (not really :) ) driving way out in the boonies to a friends house. So I just freak out cause in the back of my mind what would I do if my little tank (only 35) needed a 100% change out. . . in the middle of the night . . . I would be screwed. Right now the most water I can keep on hand is about 15 gallons. But like other people have said make sure you get the di part so you can get all the phosphates and stuff out.
My 3 cents :)
Heidi

[skuttduck]

Tom,
If you ever need any RO water, let me know, I usually have 30 gallons of the stuff on hand.

I did have something kind of funny, but not happen to me this weekend though. My waste water pipe got knocked out of my washtub, so I spent a couple of hours vacuuming up water in the basement.

[bobilo]

RODI for sure. I do not miss driving buckets to and from the store. Trying not to constantly flood your home is also a problem though heh.

[jolson10450]

rodi for sure, if you dont have the water quality to keep high demand coral then the leds are pretty much pointless.