What RODI unit do you use?

[larryandlaura]

I was wondering what make and how many gpd everyone is using? And any pro vs cons of your unit. Thanks in advance.

[fishboy13]

I've always bought my RODI units from The Filter Guys (http://www.thefilterguys.biz/index.htm) . I've always used: OCEAN REEF + 1 FIVE STAGE 75 GPD RO/DI . Here is a pic: http://www.thefilterguys.biz/images/OCEANREEF1.jpg

The Pros are that the water quality is great, filters are easy to change, and it is easy to hook-up.

The Cons are that I have flooded the basement with it several times (easily avoidable if I had made an auto shut-off or something like that, and doesn't really have to do with the unit itself)

The guys who work there are great and they will have your unit shipped in a few days.

[larryandlaura]

Sweet setup. Im thinking a spectrapure 90 gpd. Keep them coming people.

[DereksReef]

I have used several different types over the years, but my favorite is the BRS 5 stage. I get great life from the membrane and I don't have to change the filters quite as often. It seems like they hold more than others.

I make a lot of water, so I upgraded to the 150gpd system and set it up to recycle the waste water. I have the booster pump as well, and my setup works flawlessly (knock on wood) The only problem I have had with it is I cut my TDS tester line accidentally. I can splice the line, but I figured a but connector might mess up the signal so I plan to buy a new "In" wire and redo it. The "Out line isn't connected so it still works just fine, and I can monitor it, and I have a handheld TDS to double check it.

It fills my rubbermade brute in just a few hours and meets all my water needs.

I also should note, that I don't use the Deionization filter. R/O water is already like a magnet ready to suck up atmospheric pollution. Deionize the molecules seems counter intuitive to keeping pure water pure. But then again I don't use my water right away. I don't need it sitting in an container pulling anything with an Ion out of the air just to regain molecular balance.... Also, I personally think it removes specific minerals that are better left in.

All in all, I love my BRS unit, and don't see myself changing anytime soon.

[larryandlaura]

Thanks for the input!

[ReefWerks]

I use AquaFX primarily. Great quality and track record..

[larryandlaura]

Keep them coming CR!

[creefer]

BRS 5 stage here....no complaints.

[larryandlaura]

How many gpd?

[Sir Patrick]

I use this 9 year old E-Bay brand with good filters and membranes from sponcers instead of the e-bay brands they came with.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/fishtank/100_4282.jpg

75 GPD- No DI.

I will be adding a DI stage eventually.

[larryandlaura]

Very nice Chris I love the wall paper!

[Sir Patrick]

Its got more stages, including the DI, just havnt used them yet-

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d87/sirpatrick1/1027081731.jpg

[larryandlaura]

Nice Chris! I think I am going to the it the spectrapure 90gpd.

[Tom Toro]

I use a 10year old RoUltratec 100gpd system with an add on DI unit for one and a 5 year old ebay 100gpd Water General with a DI add on. Both have been fitted with Spectrapure's silica busting membranes so they've been reduced to 75gpd. My Roultratec also supplies my refridgerator's water/ice upstairs before the DI.

[Sir Patrick]

I use a 10year old RoUltratec 100gpd system with an add on DI unit for one and a 5 year old ebay 100gpd Water General with a DI add on. Both have been fitted with Spectrapure's silica busting membranes so they've been reduced to 75gpd. My Roultratec also supplies my refridgerator's water/ice upstairs before the DI.

Mine was also originally a 100gpd, but reduced it down to the better 75 gpd rejection rate, a few years latter, after I found out about it.

[spartyblaze]

I got this one from Filterdirect.com in California for $160.

It has the reservoir tank that keeps the system pressurized and even pushed RO clean water to a faucet upstairs and the icemaker. RO ice is worth it in the long haul IMO, but it'll fill your ATO reservoir a lot quicker if you ever run too much out of your drain.

http://filterdirect.com/images/6100di2.jpg

[larryandlaura]

Nice setup.

[TM01]

Spectrapure 90gpd Maxcap RODI

Plus
Membranes are tested at 98%
Inital sediment is 1 micron
Comes loaded with 2 DI canisters
all the goodies (gage, TDS meters, clear canisters)

Negatives
98% membranes can only come from Spectrapure (as far as I know)
Restictor needed to be trimmed and unit tested to bring unit to operating spec when new.
Ordering any parts from Spectrapure takes for ever to ship for some reason..I call them "slowpokepure".

I purchased this unit new and added a Aquatec 8800 booster pump kit and a flush valve. Its been a great unit with wonderful customer service from Spectrapure to boot in the last 4yrs.

[larryandlaura]

Spectrapure 90gpd Maxcap RODI

Plus
Membranes are tested at 98%
Inital sediment is 1 micron
Comes loaded with 2 DI canisters
all the goodies (gage, TDS meters, clear canisters)

Negatives
98% membranes can only come from Spectrapure (as far as I know)
Restictor needed to be trimmed and unit tested to bring unit to operating spec when new.
Ordering any parts from Spectrapure takes for ever to ship for some reason..I call them "slowpokepure".

I purchased this unit new and added a Aquatec 8800 booster pump kit and a flush valve. Its been a great unit with wonderful customer service from Spectrapure to boot in the last 4yrs.

Thanks Todd. That's the same unit im looking at.

[CalmSeasQuest]

I use a BRS 75 GPD 6 stage fitted with a boost pump. The 100 PSI working pressure allows the RO to produce ~1 TDS water into the DI.

http://i786.photobucket.com/albums/yy141/tconwell/Reef/rodi_1773-6-stage-deluxe.jpg
http://i786.photobucket.com/albums/yy141/tconwell/Reef/aquatec-cdp-8800-booster-pump-kit.jpg

I did add another pressure meter on the water supply side. I also purchased Spectrapure MaxCap and SilcaBuster DI resins as I'm told they are far superior. Haven't had a chance to test them yet.

[larryandlaura]

Wow very nice setup!

[AZDesertRat]

Spectrapure hands down.
NO other vendor treats and hand tests their RO membranes to increase their performance then guarantees them. NO other vendor uses 0.5 or 0.2 micron absolute rated sediment filters to protect the more expensive 0.5 micron 20,000 gallon carbon block.
NO other vendor custom blends every ounce of their reef specific DI resins in house based on thousands of hours of real world testing.
Only 1 other major vendor (Buckeye Field Supply) uses the same much better capillary tube flow restrictors to fine tune the waste ratio.
NO other vendor holds as many patents, copyrights and trade secrets or does as much research in the water treatment field.
Only 1 other vendor has been in business as long, 25+ yerars. (AWI)

Take a look at their website and the technical support information, educational materials, owners manuals, and ideas available to the public and you will see a difference.

SpectraPure Water Purification Products (http://www.spectrapure.com)

Sales flyer:
Untitled Document (http://www.spectrapure.com/email/customer-appreciation.html)

They als osponsor many of the reef forums we all enjoy. I believe in supporting a vendor who believes in and supports this hobby, look at old copies of FAMA Magazine, the yhave done so for decades and have survived nicely. That should say something about their reputation, integrity and quality.
I have used alsmost exclusively Spectrapure for going on 9 years now and would never go back to the previous 3 systems I owned before that.

Its all about water quality and cost of ownership. You may find a system with a lower initial cost but I personally guarantee you, it will cost you more in time than my Spectrapure systems have. I'm on my third one, stepping up each time. First a 90 GPD MaxCap, then a dual membrane 180 GPD MaxCap, now a 100 GPD MaxCap UHE ultra low waste 1:1 microprocessor controlled system.

Ask the thousands who use them, thats not bad for a little company that probably employs less than a dozen people!

[MizTanks]

Filtersdirect hands down!! Great prices, fast shipping and great customer service!
Spectrapures customer services sucks IMO I ordered some parts from them (at another reefers suggestion) and they sent the wrong ones-I contacted them 3 times and never heard back...wound up going to ACE hardware to get what I needed/wanted.

[larryandlaura]

Well I ordered the spectrapure 90gpd RODI. It was only $140 shipped. Thanks for all the input!

[creefer]

You're going to like that for sure, Larry. I use spectrapure resin as recommended by AZ and will likely be buying their membrane and filters when mine need replacement. Find something air tight to store the resin in though.

[binford4000]

Filtersdirect hands down!! Great prices, fast shipping and great customer service!
Spectrapures customer services sucks IMO I ordered some parts from them (at another reefers suggestion) and they sent the wrong ones-I contacted them 3 times and never heard back...wound up going to ACE hardware to get what I needed/wanted.

BA ZINGA I also like filter direct.Had a spectrapure a while back and never really saw a long term cost saveing diffrence described above.I found filter direct to be a very informed and customer driven company that doesn't try to sell you over priced products.

[larryandlaura]

BA ZINGA I also like filter direct.Had a spectrapure a while back and never really saw a long term cost saveing diffrence described above.I found filter direct to be a very informed and customer driven company that doesn't try to sell you over priced products.

Filter direct. I think im going to check them out. I can always return the spectrapure!

[binford4000]

Filter direct. I think im going to check them out. I can always return the spectrapure!

happy b day and shhh !! you shouldn't write that, I think AZ works for spectrapure LOL :jester: Just jokeing AZ

[Fish Dad]

Larry - what did you find at Spectrapure for $140? I'm not seeing anything under 199 with DI also

I still have to look at the other sites, BRS and Filterdirect.

What your opinions on having the TDS gauges built in? is it worth it or are you better off just testing your water?

[larryandlaura]

Larry - what did you find at Spectrapure for $140? I'm not seeing anything under 199 with DI also

I still have to look at the other sites, BRS and Filterdirect.

What your opinions on having the TDS gauges built in? is it worth it or are you better off just testing your water?

I called them direct and they routed me that price. I always used a TDS meter and tested my water. Having it built in sounds like less work!

[AZDesertRat]

MAXPURE MPDI SYSTEM (http://www.spectrapure.com/St_RODI-REFURB.htm)
Untitled Document (http://www.spectrapure.com/email/customer-appreciation.html)

Inline TDS meters are not as accurate nor can they be used portable so you are stuck with two monitoring points. A good handheld is worth its weight in gold.


Filters Direct is Water General on ebay and thats exactly what you get, a mediocre ebay quality system suited for drinking water and not a true reef quality system with low micron filters, a tested RO membrane and a 20 oz vertical DI filte rfilled with fresh reef specific DI resin. You really do get what you pay for with RO/DI and cheap is not where you want to be.

I don't work for any RO vendor or manufacturer but I have owned many units over the last 20 years and am a water treatment professional with 37 years experience so have more than a little experience with all of the components and manufacturers on the market. I have personally helped many many other reefers completely rebuild Filters Direct units so they do what they are supposed to which should not have to happen. There is no comparison, just look at each components description yourself and make up your own mind.

[ReefWerks]

MAXPURE MPDI SYSTEM (http://www.spectrapure.com/St_RODI-REFURB.htm)
Untitled Document (http://www.spectrapure.com/email/customer-appreciation.html)

Inline TDS meters are not as accurate nor can they be used portable so you are stuck with two monitoring points. A good handheld is worth its weight in gold.


Filters Direct is Water General on ebay and thats exactly what you get, a mediocre ebay quality system suited for drinking water and not a true reef quality system with low micron filters, a tested RO membrane and a 20 oz vertical DI filte rfilled with fresh reef specific DI resin. You really do get what you pay for with RO/DI and cheap is not where you want to be.

I don't work for any RO vendor or manufacturer but I have owned many units over the last 20 years and am a water treatment professional with 37 years experience so have more than a little experience with all of the components and manufacturers on the market. I have personally helped many many other reefers completely rebuild Filters Direct units so they do what they are supposed to which should not have to happen. There is no comparison, just look at each components description yourself and make up your own mind.

Even though AZ and I differ on the most superior unit, he knows his sh** and his feedback is always quality...

[binford4000]

Even though AZ and I differ on the most superior unit, he knows his sh** and his feedback is always quality...

I agree he does give solid advice.Although water general is not the only ro on ebay
spectrapure ro systems | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=spectrapure+ro+systems&_sacat=See-All-Categories)
I have had no issues with the filters or equipment from filter direct and am very satisfied with it
LOL:jester:

[AZDesertRat]

I could proobably find a Rolls Royce or Ferrari on ebay if I looked.

The point is the "Typical"ebay RO/DI systems are a far cry from reef quality systems.
Again, compare them to a quality system component by component and the differences are very obvious.

Just for startes you will not find a 0.5 micron absolute rated sediment filter on one, probably not a 1.0 micron filter even. You do not find 0.5 micron, 20,000 gallon carnon blocks on them, nor will you find a specially treated and hand tested RO membrane. Many of the ebay systems still either do not even tell you what you are getting by brand and model number or the sel you a 100 GPD Dow Filmtec 90% efficient nano filter not even a RO membrane. Msot use low efficiency, very very inexpensive horizontal hollow tubes and call them DI filters as oppsoed to a real reef system that uses the industry standard 10" vertical canister with a refillable 20 oz cartridge inside.
Most ebay systems do not come with an inline pessure gauge nor do they use the more efficient capillary tube flow restrictors. Many still use the old style compression fittings rather than the much better speed fittings. The differences go on and on and Like I say, pull up the specs on a good name brand RO/DI and one of the many ebay varieties and you really egin to see the differences.


The key to the whole issue is water quality and cost of ownership. With the ebay system you may pay a little less up front but the long term cost is more while with a better system, the initial cost may be a little more but it saves you in the long run with extended filter and membrane life. Sort of a pay me now or pay me later sitation. I keep my tools, and an RO/DI to me is a fine tool, for years so I choose to invest in a good one that lasts a lifetime and returns my investment over and over.

[binford4000]

I never slamed your brand guy.Relax alittle. evryone knows you like the spectrapure line. Personaly I really don't know why I try to add anything in a thread that has to do with R/O's becuse your going to write a novel about how evrything s#$ks but spectrapure.I've been reefing for 23 years( and yes I know you;ve been a water guy for 37 years) and the truth is we use to keep nice tanks with just plain old tap water in the old day's.Everyone has the right to an opinon,even if it's diffrent then yours.I keep a zero tds just fine with my unapproved RO tho.Larry hope ya like the new RO guy !! :big_grin:

[ReefWerks]

I never slamed your brand guy.Relax alittle. evryone knows you like the spectrapure line. Personaly I really don't know why I try to add anything in a thread that has to do with R/O's becuse your going to write a novel about how evrything s#$ks but spectrapure.I've been reefing for 23 years( and yes I know you;ve been a water guy for 37 years) and the truth is we use to keep nice tanks with just plain old tap water in the old day's.Everyone has the right to an opinon,even if it's diffrent then yours.I keep a zero tds just fine with my unapproved RO tho.Larry hope ya like the new RO guy !! :big_grin:

AZ is a seasoned vet in this category..no doubt he has found what he prefers, and we can respect that. I can also respect the fact that there are many others companies putting together units that deliver the same results. This topic can go on for days...
End of the day, buy what YOU want with the knowledge you get, monitor, gauge, replace.
We prefer AquaFX, others prefer SpectraPure and so on...

I have learned alot from AZ and have used it to better my knowledge for sales, in return, makes the consumer better off.

I still stand behind my company...but value his knowledge. :thumbsup:

[larryandlaura]

Lots of good points and opinions here. Thanks everyone!

[AZDesertRat]

The reason I believe in Spectrapure products is 9 years of testing in my own home has proven to me, they are not all the same, nor do they produce the same results. I have owned several other name brand systems and was fortunate enough to be able to test them side by side with the MaxCap and there really are significant differences. The differences amount to a huge cost savings and better water quality.

The biggest difference I have found is in the DI life, it is amazing. Compared to my old Typhoon III, which is an above average system itself and very popular, the DI life with no other changes whatsoever was 5.5 times greater on the very first DI cartridge that came with the Spectrapuer system and 6.7 times one the next several cartridges. I even tried different brands of DI resins from Resin Depot and other trusted sources in the Typhoon and it made little difference.

I have yet to replace a Spectrapure RO membrane in any of my 3 systems and with the Watts Premier, AWI and H2o Splash systems I get 18 months to 36 months maximum when using their suggested replacement filters, again no other changes and the same source water.

What these amount to are significant cost savings to the end user, no hype, no bogus claims and no BS, just money in your pocket. Higher quality, lower micron filters filter better making the components downstream last longer and work better, saving you money in the process. Its really as simple as that and it works.

I will continue to run systems side by side for comparison, its a fun project and helps me to understand why some things work better than others.

[larryandlaura]

Great observations AZDesertRat!

[creefer]

AZ is the one who influenced me to go with the Sprectrapure DI resin and his claims are accurate. I get far more volume from that resin than I did with others available.