Buying RO/DI unit question!

Vindicator · 04-27-2008, 08:38 PM

Hey guys, Iv been looking at RO/DI filters the past few days, and I am having trouble deciding the best buy. First of all I am alittle confused. It seems like every aquarium dealer I have checked at sells the units for 200+ dollars. Nothing really cheaper than that. BUT I see them on ebay for around 135 bucks! And they are rated around 100gph. Why the price differance? What is going on? If anyone has bought one off of ebay without problems, do you have a good site? or can point me in the direction of a good ebay unit?

I am just really confused about the price difference.

Varga · 04-27-2008, 09:10 PM

I bought from filter direct on Ebay $125

my LFS sells the exact same unit for $250.

corrado007 · 04-27-2008, 09:21 PM

It would be worth your time to check out these guys
RO/DI Systems
Just give them a call, they're very friendly and informative and won't try to sell you anything you don't need. A number of people here on RS have these systems and are quite happy with them.

cioutlaw · 04-27-2008, 11:19 PM

Not all RO/DI systems are the same. I wouldnt buy one without a DOW filmtec membrane for starters. presure guage before the membrane & inline TDS meters are a must in my opinion. Do a lot of homework. Aqua FX is a RS sponsor & I am very happy with the unit & service I recieved from them. Im sure there other great companies too, Do your homework & ask lots of questions before you buy.

rbursek · 04-28-2008, 03:32 PM

DONOT buy one on FleeBay!!!!
thefilterguys.biz
buckeyefieldsupply.com
Check out these guys, call them and discusss your needs with them, they are great source if knowledge for the person who is not informed on RODI units.

BuckeyeFSupply · 05-07-2008, 07:42 PM

Some things you'll want to look for in an RODI system configured for reefing use:

Standard-sized prefilters, membrane, and DI cartridge
Brand name, high-rejection membrane
Specifications provided for each stage
Pressure gauge after the prefilters and before the membrane
Thermometer
DI bypass
Vertical DI stage
Refillable DI cartridge
Aluminum bracket
Quick connect fittings
Flush valve
Clear housings
High-quality instructions
Customer support after your purchase

Also, and you think this might go without saying, but seeing what is for sale on the auction webiste I guess it needs to be said: A system should have filters that are in the correct order.

Russ @ BFS

saltysupply · 05-08-2008, 06:23 PM

I always recommend aquafx, they are great people and right down the road from me

The units are awsome as well and made with the best of the best parts available...they are also one of the few to offer chloramine blasters.

glampka · 05-08-2008, 06:37 PM

All depends on how big of a system you need. I bought mine from Products and answers for your water treatment needs. - great price & they know reefers.

Rcpilot · 05-12-2008, 07:13 PM

I bought this and I'm EXTREMELY pleased with it. I had to order a pump for it. Total investment was about $225 The flush valve is an $8 option. Get it.

http://filterdirect.com/product_info...products_id=29

rbursek · 05-12-2008, 08:09 PM

Sorry to burst your baloon, JUNK!!!!!!!!! Sent it back or cancell the order!!!!!!!! First a all 100gpd have a lower pure water rate out of the RO then lowergpd units so you will go thru more DI to get 0 TDS, 2nd a good ro membrane can last for years and DOES NOT have to be changed every 6-12 months as they state, 3rd because DI canisters are not fully preasurized, you donot want horizontal ones, you want them to be vertical, the water going thru the resin will only contact the lower 3rd of the resin on that one and not utilixe all of the resin. You did NOT listen to me and do your home work and call Buckeye or Jim at Thefilterguys,and talk to them, your getting ript off, what you save now you will pay more. Then you will be back here trying to get info on all your problems with your RODI system as to why your TDS's are high after a couple hundred gallons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry but facts are facts!!!!!!!!!!!!!

rbursek · 05-12-2008, 08:19 PM

Sorry Vindicator, I directed that post to you. It should have been to RCPilot. If you look at the unit he bought you will see what I am talking about! The DI are not standard size either!!

Origami2547 · 05-13-2008, 11:38 AM

I bought my RO/DI setup (a Typhoon III) at airwaterice.com (AWI) and have been happy with it.

Bob has a point, a lot of 100 gpd membranes ahve a stabilized rejection ratio that is less than many of the 75 and 50 gpd membranes (90% vs 98%). That means that less is removed by the membrane and is left to the DI resin to remove. That, in turn, means the DI resin will not last as long before needing to be replaced or recharged.

However, there is a 150 gpd membrane available with as good a rejection ratio as the smaller membranes (98% efficiency), so the argument is not without exceptions. (See here: the complete FilmTec line of nano and reverse osmosis membranes

Check out the FAQ at AWI if you want to learn more about RO/DI systems in general.

BTW, I've also heard good things about The Filter Guys....

04-27-2008, 08:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
Vindicator Tubeworm Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 37 View Gallery Karma Komment	Buying RO/DI unit question! Hey guys, Iv been looking at RO/DI filters the past few days, and I am having trouble deciding the best buy. First of all I am alittle confused. It seems like every aquarium dealer I have checked at sells the units for 200+ dollars. Nothing really cheaper than that. BUT I see them on ebay for around 135 bucks! And they are rated around 100gph. Why the price differance? What is going on? If anyone has bought one off of ebay without problems, do you have a good site? or can point me in the direction of a good ebay unit? I am just really confused about the price difference.

04-27-2008, 09:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
Varga Acropora Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,791 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Buying RO/DI unit question! I bought from filter direct on Ebay $125 my LFS sells the exact same unit for $250.

04-27-2008, 09:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
corrado007 Plate Coral Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sacramento, Ca. Posts: 708 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Buying RO/DI unit question! It would be worth your time to check out these guys RO/DI Systems Just give them a call, they're very friendly and informative and won't try to sell you anything you don't need. A number of people here on RS have these systems and are quite happy with them. __________________ Justin 90gal mixed reef w/40gal sump/fuge, ATO, NW-200 Skimmer, 2x 250W 10k Reeflux MH & 220W VHO actinics, Koralia #4 & #3, Mag 9.5 return, Aquacontroller jr., LR & LS, and community fish (Yellow Assessor, Bluespot Jawfish, Paired O clowns, Hippo tang, Orchid Dottyback, Yellow Watchman Goby, Neon Goby, Chromis, and a Zebra Dartfish) Here's my 90gal Chronicle (Lots of pictures and DIY)

04-27-2008, 11:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
cioutlaw Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Champaign Illinois Posts: 949 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Buying RO/DI unit question! Not all RO/DI systems are the same. I wouldnt buy one without a DOW filmtec membrane for starters. presure guage before the membrane & inline TDS meters are a must in my opinion. Do a lot of homework. Aqua FX is a RS sponsor & I am very happy with the unit & service I recieved from them. Im sure there other great companies too, Do your homework & ask lots of questions before you buy. __________________ My 120gallon chronical My 225 gallon chronical My website

04-28-2008, 03:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
rbursek Cabbage Leather Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Milw, WI area suburb Posts: 350 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Buying RO/DI unit question! DONOT buy one on FleeBay!!!! thefilterguys.biz buckeyefieldsupply.com Check out these guys, call them and discusss your needs with them, they are great source if knowledge for the person who is not informed on RODI units. __________________ The difference between a Reef tank and a money shredder is the Tank will trip the GFI! Bret Farve turned #4 into #1!!!!! And I am as confused as he is!!! What a supped way to come back! We will see the thought/negotiations that happen with this! 120gal tank, 30gal fuge/sump, 2 250w MH, 2 96w Actinics, SPS's, LPS's, fish. Bob

05-07-2008, 07:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
BuckeyeFSupply Tunicate Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 24 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Buying RO/DI unit question! Some things you'll want to look for in an RODI system configured for reefing use: Standard-sized prefilters, membrane, and DI cartridge Brand name, high-rejection membrane Specifications provided for each stage Pressure gauge after the prefilters and before the membrane Thermometer DI bypass Vertical DI stage Refillable DI cartridge Aluminum bracket Quick connect fittings Flush valve Clear housings High-quality instructions Customer support after your purchase Also, and you think this might go without saying, but seeing what is for sale on the auction webiste I guess it needs to be said: A system should have filters that are in the correct order. Russ @ BFS

05-08-2008, 06:23 PM	#7 (permalink)
saltysupply Pistol Shrimp Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 250 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Buying RO/DI unit question! I always recommend aquafx, they are great people and right down the road from me The units are awsome as well and made with the best of the best parts available...they are also one of the few to offer chloramine blasters. __________________ Salty Supply - Saltwater Aquarium Supplies

05-08-2008, 06:37 PM	#8 (permalink)
glampka Achilles Tang Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Margaritaville Posts: 817 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Buying RO/DI unit question! All depends on how big of a system you need. I bought mine from Products and answers for your water treatment needs. - great price & they know reefers. __________________ We are the people our parents warned us about! JB 30 gal mixed reef 12 gal mixed Aquapod, 70 W MH 12 gal JBJ cube - mixed reef 12 gal Aquapod - work in progress

05-12-2008, 07:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
Rcpilot Has been struck by the ban stick Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Arvada, CO. Posts: 297 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Buying RO/DI unit question! I bought this and I'm EXTREMELY pleased with it. I had to order a pump for it. Total investment was about $225 The flush valve is an $8 option. Get it. http://filterdirect.com/product_info...products_id=29

05-12-2008, 08:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
rbursek Cabbage Leather Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Milw, WI area suburb Posts: 350 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Buying RO/DI unit question! Sorry to burst your baloon, JUNK!!!!!!!!! Sent it back or cancell the order!!!!!!!! First a all 100gpd have a lower pure water rate out of the RO then lowergpd units so you will go thru more DI to get 0 TDS, 2nd a good ro membrane can last for years and DOES NOT have to be changed every 6-12 months as they state, 3rd because DI canisters are not fully preasurized, you donot want horizontal ones, you want them to be vertical, the water going thru the resin will only contact the lower 3rd of the resin on that one and not utilixe all of the resin. You did NOT listen to me and do your home work and call Buckeye or Jim at Thefilterguys,and talk to them, your getting ript off, what you save now you will pay more. Then you will be back here trying to get info on all your problems with your RODI system as to why your TDS's are high after a couple hundred gallons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry but facts are facts!!!!!!!!!!!!! __________________ The difference between a Reef tank and a money shredder is the Tank will trip the GFI! Bret Farve turned #4 into #1!!!!! And I am as confused as he is!!! What a supped way to come back! We will see the thought/negotiations that happen with this! 120gal tank, 30gal fuge/sump, 2 250w MH, 2 96w Actinics, SPS's, LPS's, fish. Bob

05-12-2008, 08:19 PM	#11 (permalink)
rbursek Cabbage Leather Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Milw, WI area suburb Posts: 350 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Buying RO/DI unit question! Sorry Vindicator, I directed that post to you. It should have been to RCPilot. If you look at the unit he bought you will see what I am talking about! The DI are not standard size either!! __________________ The difference between a Reef tank and a money shredder is the Tank will trip the GFI! Bret Farve turned #4 into #1!!!!! And I am as confused as he is!!! What a supped way to come back! We will see the thought/negotiations that happen with this! 120gal tank, 30gal fuge/sump, 2 250w MH, 2 96w Actinics, SPS's, LPS's, fish. Bob

05-13-2008, 11:38 AM	#12 (permalink)
Origami2547 Limpet Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ashburn, VA (near DC) Posts: 135 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Buying RO/DI unit question! I bought my RO/DI setup (a Typhoon III) at airwaterice.com (AWI) and have been happy with it. Bob has a point, a lot of 100 gpd membranes ahve a stabilized rejection ratio that is less than many of the 75 and 50 gpd membranes (90% vs 98%). That means that less is removed by the membrane and is left to the DI resin to remove. That, in turn, means the DI resin will not last as long before needing to be replaced or recharged. However, there is a 150 gpd membrane available with as good a rejection ratio as the smaller membranes (98% efficiency), so the argument is not without exceptions. (See here: the complete FilmTec line of nano and reverse osmosis membranes Check out the FAQ at AWI if you want to learn more about RO/DI systems in general. BTW, I've also heard good things about The Filter Guys.... __________________ Tom

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