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) 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.