RO/DI reviews

[Beeba]

Has anyone used the Water General RO/DI units like the ones listed on eBay? RO/DI Unit

I'm looking to buy one but not sure what kind is best. I don't want to overspend but I also don't want to waste my money.

My tank is a 72 gallon and I change about 25 gallons every 3-4 weeks.

 

[Angelscrx]

I use a canister type DI unit for my water but wow that looks pretty nice. I know that I need to get something for RO but money is tight right now.

 

[Illusion]

That Ro unit is a Fairly good one.. had mine for almost a year now and havent had any issues except the normal replacement cartridges... If I were you I wouldnt worry about it and order it.. Get refill cartridges now so you have them in a year or so when you need them and save on s/h charges..

HTH<
James

 

[Beeba]

Thanks for the info. I didn't want to order it and find out that it is junk.

 

[Scooterman]

I have no experience on that particular model but from my experience, I'd get it, you can always buy higher quality filters if you think it is necessary but a TDS of 3 isn't bad. With shipping at 25$, I think it is awesome, I paid twice as much without all that is in this unit. JMO!

 

[Illusion]

IMO all ro units are the same.. Most consist of the same filters... They are all pretty much the same though... Never really had a problem with the Filterdirect one... You also might look at ebay seller Aquasafecanada they are a direct competitor and i hear great things about them as well..

HTH,
James

 

[Scooterman]

Heck, If I'd have the money I'd buy it to add to my existing system lol, it looks like a good scoop, check the back ground of the seller throughly as with anything on e-bay.

 

[Llarian]

I have the 75gph RO/DI unit from them (no RO tap before the DI filter). Water tests with a TDS of 2. Admittedly, my tap only tests at 45, but even so, that's good enough for me. The price is right, the company is responsive to email, and from what I hear they have good customer service down the road.

-Dylan

 

[NaH2O]

my tap only tests at 45

Man, living out there must be nice. It is a good day when my tap TDS is below 500.

As some supplemental reading, this thread contains some good info: Any Suggestions for RO units?.

 

[Scooterman]

My water test at about 160ppm, but now that I'm using the .5 micron filters, replacement has also doubled, hard to believe what had a TDS of 0 before, also has the same 0 TDS reading now, but the other nasties must also be getting removed before the membranes, which I hope will extend their useful life. I've learned that watching water pressure helps determine Pre filter & carbon replacement.

 

[Nautilus]

RO/DI may look the same, but the most important part of the unit is the membrane.
There are allot of membranes not worth the shippings costs so please make sure that the membrane is of high quality like filmtec by DOW company.

 

[Llarian]

The unit being asked about uses a filmtec membrane.

-Dylan

 

[Beeba]

I guess it seems like a pretty good deal so I think I'll get one. I have a terrible problem with hair algae right now. My tank is more green than anything. I thought when I got past the cyanobacteria problem I was doing well but this is definitely more of a problem. Its growing like weeds. :lol:

Off the subject... can anyone tell me what is the lowest number of hours I can leave my lights off without harming my corals or anemones?

 

[Scooterman]

beeba, if you want to turn your lights off to impact your algae, keep them off a couple days, then on in small amounts after. You will need good quality water, lights, good circulation, siphoning also blow your rocks off every day until you get it under control.

 

[Angelscrx]

beeba, if you want to turn your lights off to impact your algae, keep them off a couple days, then on in small amounts after. You will need good quality water, lights, good circulation, siphoning also blow your rocks off every day until you get it under control.

How will this impact the corals?

 

[wrassehole]

getting rid of the hair algae by other means than lowering the lighting requirements. this is what wont impact the corals, thats the point.

 

[NaH2O]

The corals will be fine. Sometimes, one of the only ways to get rid of dinoflagellates is to turn your lights off for a few days. Remember, it isn't always so sunny on the reef - sometimes horrible storms come through. To get technical the zooxanthellae only need a flash of light to get their process started and feed the coral. You can learn more on the topic of how the corals use light from this thread: Let's Talk About ~Reef Lighting~. I certainly would want you to figure out where your excess nutrients are coming from. If you aren't using RO/DI water currently, then that is a good start to eliminating those nutrients.

 

[jesshimom]

I did just that, turned my lights off for two solid days. THen on the 3rd day I only used half the lights for a partial day and kept adding an hour each day and then added the second set of lights for just a few hours mid day. (It's when I upgraded to T5's and double the wattage and the tank was getting very hot).... it made a great difference, took alot of time but the yucky dark greenish black rocks and cyano (I had no hair algae thank goodness) is gone now. I"m back to the magnet on the front and sides every day and that's it.

 

[Scooterman]

Seems like I got back a little late, like Nikki said, get to the source. Sometime it isn't cut & dry but this with a new RO/DI is a good start.

 

[Angelscrx]

Is there another source forr phosphates to come from other than water and Salt mix
? Just curious.