Recommend me a RO/DI unit

[BC United]

Hi everyone,

I am looking into purchasing a RO/DI unit and am interested in hearing which systems you guys like and which you do not. I have read good things about Spectrapure RO/DI systems and am considering a refurbished 4-stage system from them that costs $129. Looks like to replace all filters/membranes from Spectrapure would total $91. Not sure if this is high or low.

Anybody have thoughts on RO/DI units? My tank is 29gallons, so do not need a lot of water.

Thanks

[larryandlaura]

I have a 90gpd spectrapure and love it. Easy setup with the sink adapter.

[BC United]

I have a 90gpd spectrapure and love it. Easy setup with the sink adapter.

I think I will purchase the spectrapure. I will have to make sure that I have the sink adaptor because I definitely like easy setup.

Anybody else have input of RO/DI units?

Thanks

[BC United]

Anybody using this Bulk Reef Supply system?

75 GPD RO/DI 4 Stage Economy System

I expect that the membranes that come with this unit are not as good as those for Spectrapure. But this unit, at $129 is cheaper than the refurbished spectrapure unit after shipping and tax. And membrane replacement is also cheaper. Also BRS will be in my backyard once I move to Minneapolis. Anybody have opinions on this unit?

Also, should I purchase the Spectrapure unit, I will need a faucet adaptor with Spectrapure does not have in stock, not to mention it cost ~$20. Anybody know if the faucet adaptor from BRS, which is half the price, would work with the Spectrapure?

Thanks

[AZDesertRat]

Spectrapure is about the oldest name in the industry and the most trusted.
You will not find any other vendor who specially treats all their RO membranes to increase the efficiency then either batch or individually hand test them for quality control.

They are also the only vendor to use the much better absolute rated sediment filters to protect the carbon block and membrane rather than less expensive and less efficient naominal rated filters.

Add to that the fact they custom blend every ounce of their DI resins such as the MaxCap and SilicaBuster, based on tens of thousands of hours or bench and real world beta testing so they are the absolute very best and the freshest, usually blended and vacuum packed in mylar foil bags the day they ship.

It does not come any better. I have personally used them for over 9 years now after owning 5 other systems and would never even consider another. There really is a difference.

"Why should I switch vendors and go with SpectraPure?" - Reef Central Online Community (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2173771)

Maximizing Performance and Minimizing - Reef Central Online Community (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=929156)

Cost Justification for SpectraPure Membranes vs Others - Reef Central Online Community (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1336345)

Ro Rejection Differences... Why The Different Ratings For The "same" Membrane???... - Reef Central Online Community (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=895507)

Whats so special about spectrapure membranes? - 3reef Forums (http://www.3reef.com/forums/spectrapure/whats-so-special-about-spectrapure-membranes-72247.html)

[Tom@HaslettMI]

I run an oldschool spectra pure unit. I got it used (with new prefilter/carbon), and love it. I am by no means an expert with RO, but my take is that the housing doesn't matter. So, if you buy a non-spectra pure unit I would suggest replacing the "guts" with spectra pure (sooner or later). That may not be a cost savings... I'll let you do that math!

Whichever you choose... you'll LOVE having pure water at your fingertips.

Tom

[BC United]

Spectrapure is about the oldest name in the industry and the most trusted.
You will not find any other vendor who specially treats all their RO membranes to increase the efficiency then either batch or individually hand test them for quality control.

They are also the only vendor to use the much better absolute rated sediment filters to protect the carbon block and membrane rather than less expensive and less efficient naominal rated filters.

Add to that the fact they custom blend every ounce of their DI resins such as the MaxCap and SilicaBuster, based on tens of thousands of hours or bench and real world beta testing so they are the absolute very best and the freshest, usually blended and vacuum packed in mylar foil bags the day they ship.

It does not come any better. I have personally used them for over 9 years now after owning 5 other systems and would never even consider another. There really is a difference.

"Why should I switch vendors and go with SpectraPure?" - Reef Central Online Community (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2173771)

Maximizing Performance and Minimizing - Reef Central Online Community (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=929156)

Cost Justification for SpectraPure Membranes vs Others - Reef Central Online Community (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1336345)

Ro Rejection Differences... Why The Different Ratings For The "same" Membrane???... - Reef Central Online Community (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=895507)

Whats so special about spectrapure membranes? - 3reef Forums (http://www.3reef.com/forums/spectrapure/whats-so-special-about-spectrapure-membranes-72247.html)

Thanks for the info AZ. I know the spectrapure units are popular with reefers and have only heard good things about them.

[BC United]

I run an oldschool spectra pure unit. I got it used (with new prefilter/carbon), and love it. I am by no means an expert with RO, but my take is that the housing doesn't matter. So, if you buy a non-spectra pure unit I would suggest replacing the "guts" with spectra pure (sooner or later). That may not be a cost savings... I'll let you do that math!

Whichever you choose... you'll LOVE having pure water at your fingertips.

Tom

Thanks Tom. I just today purchased a RODI unit. Went with a 5 stage RODI "build your own system" from BRS. I will be moving my tank to Minneapolis in 11 days and Minneapolis uses chloramine instead of chlorine as disinfectant for the city water. It seems that the presence of chloramine in tap water was not common knowledge to the local reef club in Minneapolis. From a thread I started in that club's online forum, it seems most people in the club were not using special filters for chloramine removal, but were not having obvious problems in their tanks either. I figured the BRS unit, which many in the Minneapolis are use because BRS is located there, if configured with chloramine specific filters, would do more than an adequate job for my nano system. The price of the system could not be beat, especially with their free shipping. Thanks for your PM as well. I am looking forward to not having to rely on the LFS for water....I think that I won't have time for frequent trips to the LFS, like I do now, once I start my new job.

[AZDesertRat]

Do not wasteoney on so call Chloramine filters, they are not needed and really do nothing special.
Here is why.
Chloramines are a compound created with chlorine and ammonia.We all know chlorine is removed with carbon but what they don't tell you is carbon DOES NOT emove ammonia! It is the job of the RO membrane and the DI resin to remove all forms of ammonia including ammonia, nitrires and nitrates, not the carbon.

Spectrapure has spent decades improving the performance of membranes and ammonia and have the most knowledge on the subject in the industry. They will sell you a chlroramine carbon if you really want to waste your money on it but itis nit their practice and is why the do not offer a so called chloramine filter standard, their research shows it is not necessary.
Here are some articles on chloramines:
Chloramine and the Reef Aquarium by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-11/rhf/feature/index.php)

GENERAL INFO ON REVERSE OSMOSIS (http://www.spectrapure.com/SYSTEM_BREAKDOWN.htm)

More detailed explanation on Chloramines, RO membranes and Carbon Filters... - Reef Central Online Community (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1735402)

Chloramines - Reef Central Online Community (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=200056)

Unfortunately there are many vendors entering the market who do not have the knowledge or experience others do and they are promoting products without doing their homework. While I love many of their chemical products sold in bulk, they might want to stick to just that and leave treatment to those who know it best.


I will also say here, there is a huge difference in plastic housings on the market, they are in no way all the same just as all membranes or filters are not the same. Many plastics are not ANSI/NSF rated for contact with drinking water nor tested and rated for pressure applications. Stick with name brands and do not do your shopping on ebay. Find a vendor with a ong term US presence and a brick and mortar storefront so you can count on them to be there to back their poroducts up 25 years from now. There are several RO vendors in that category I would recommend all the time and who have been in existence for a decade or longer.

[BC United]

Do not wasteoney on so call Chloramine filters, they are not needed and really do nothing special.
Here is why.
Chloramines are a compound created with chlorine and ammonia.We all know chlorine is removed with carbon but what they don't tell you is carbon DOES NOT emove ammonia! It is the job of the RO membrane and the DI resin to remove all forms of ammonia including ammonia, nitrires and nitrates, not the carbon.

Spectrapure has spent decades improving the performance of membranes and ammonia and have the most knowledge on the subject in the industry. They will sell you a chlroramine carbon if you really want to waste your money on it but itis nit their practice and is why the do not offer a so called chloramine filter standard, their research shows it is not necessary.
.
Here are some articles on chloramines:
Chloramine and the Reef Aquarium by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-11/rhf/feature/index.php)

GENERAL INFO ON REVERSE OSMOSIS (http://www.spectrapure.com/SYSTEM_BREAKDOWN.htm)

More detailed explanation on Chloramines, RO membranes and Carbon Filters... - Reef Central Online Community (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1735402)

Chloramines - Reef Central Online Community (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=200056)

Unfortunately there are many vendors entering the market who do not have the knowledge or experience others do and they are promoting products without doing their homework. While I love many of their chemical products sold in bulk, they might want to stick to just that and leave treatment to those who know it best.

I will also say here, there is a huge difference in plastic housings on the market, they are in no way all the same just as all membranes or filters are not the same. Many plastics are not ANSI/NSF rated for contact with drinking water nor tested and rated for pressure applications. Stick with name brands and do not do your shopping on ebay. Find a vendor with a ong term US presence and a brick and mortar storefront so you can count on them to be there to back their poroducts up 25 years from now. There are several RO vendors in that category I would recommend all the time and who have been in existence for a decade or longer.

It is not true that catalytic cabon cannot remove ammonia:
http://www.wcponline.com/pdf/0906potwora.pdf


It is not true that Spectrapure does not recommend chloramine filters. Spectrapure recommended to use one of their chloramine carbon blocks and I did not inquire about them. See following email response from Spectrapure:

Adam,

You will need at least two DI stages andpossibly two carbon stages.

The lowest cost way would be the #RO-90- (http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/usertag.php?do=list&action=hash&hash=RO-90-) REFURB @ $105 RO system and request withthat to exchange the standard carbon filter for the # CF-CR-10 ChloramineReduction Carbon Block Cartridge + $10.00 and substitute the 0.5 micronsediment for the 1-micron sediment + $9.00

Then onto that RO system, add our MaxCap D2 DI system at $75.00

This still may not be fully effective at removing your very high levels ofchloramines. You could try it as it is but in the future you may need to add anadditional filter housing before the RO system. That assembly would be the #FA-1STA-10 (http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/usertag.php?do=list&action=hash&hash=FA-1STA-10) and add order the 0.5 carbon with it. With this additionalhousing added you could install the sediment filter in that housing and in thenew refurb system you would install a 0.5 micron carbon filter followed by the CF-CR-10 chloramine reducing filter.

Charles Gibbs
Applications Engineer
SpectraPure Inc

I agree with you that experience is very valuable and that Spectrapure has an advantage here. However, I know a many happy BRS RODI users....
Personal question: I have seen on other forums where you avidly promote Specturepure RODI systems. Do you have a professional affiliation with Spectrapure or are you just a reefer in Arizona who really likes to promote the local Spectrapure company? It would be nice to know if you have conflict of interest. I would still value your opinion even if you did have a professional affiliatioin with Spectrapure, but it is always nice to be clear about conflict of interests.

[AZDesertRat]

No affiliation in any way, I am a certified water and wastewater treatment plant manager and operator by profession with 37+ years in the industry though. I have personally owned 7 or 8 RO and RO/DI systems over the last 20 years with 3 of the most recent 4 being Spectrapure systems. I can say from both personal experience and from my training and background there is no comparison to others and have several logbooks of data to back it up. Since water is my business I am quite picky about what I buy and what I recommend.
I have never met Charles Gibbs but I do personally know Charles Mitsis the founder of Spectrapure and Bruce the President of the company, both used to support our old local reef club and do speaking engagements for them. Thye both have many articles on chloramines as does Randy Holmes Farley and none has recommended catalytic carbons in the past for chloramines in the normal 0.5 to 2 mg/L range found in drinking water which is a walk in the park for a good carbon block. I stand by my statements.

[BC United]

Thanks for the info AZ, and for your RODI input. It sounds like you are a passionate reefer and have the professional background to be a good resource to fellow reefers on RO/DI. Should my BRS unit give me problems I will certainly look to switching to spectrapure internal components at least. Currently I am happy to support the local Minneapolis company where I will be living shortly. I do not expect to run into a problem with the BRS unit based on the many reefers using BRS in the MN area, and on this site.

[AZDesertRat]

You are fortunate in that Minneapolis has very good water quality so even an ebay unit would suffice. Its when you get into challenging water situation that the research and development other vendors do really pays off. I used to own a Typhoon III which everyone raved about at the time. I could never get more than 150 gallons out of a DI cartridge no matter what I did. I even replaced the membrane and had Watts Premier bench test it for me and still 150 gallons before the TDS was at 2-3. I tried fresh resin from Resin Depot, AWI and many others and still the same.
I sold the unit and installed my first MaxCap. The very first DI went 830 measured gallons before it showed 1 TDS. The second and all subsequent cartridges have been over 1000 gallon since then. My MaxCap UHE is like 4 years old now, the membrane is the original still running at 99.43% efficiency, the tap TDS exceeds 560 to as high as 800, the RO only tDS runs between 2 and 3 using a handheld HM Digital COM-100 meter, and I have only replaced 1 MaxCap DI cartridge and 3 SilicaBuster DI cartridges in all that time. Thats with a 100G display/30G sump and a 16G nano.
As I keep pointing out, there really is a difference and my unit has already paid for itself in membrane and DI replacements as well as water and sewer savings.

[raswank]

Spectrapure for the win. Just bought a 90gpd Maxcap from Spectrapure. Tried it last night for the first time. What ease of operation.