RO unit... Which one should I buy and what to know?

[Myreef55]

I am looking to buy a reverse osmosis unit and am wondering what is actually needed from a reverse osmosis unit for basic reef aquarium with softies and some lps? Which cartriges are needed? I see units with different amounts of them. What are some of the better units to buy for resonable price? Thanks everyone 

[HUNGER]

I run kent never had a problem with it there willbe one up for grabs at our swap

[lazylivin]

Goal is to get to 0 TDS. Even the cheaper ones can do that but as with anything some have better quality parts, filters and layout resulting in longer life equaling less maintenance. Also some are more efficient then others meaning they waste less water but water is cheap so not typically that big of a deal. Would need to know tank size to help size the unit. Here is company and unit you can't go wrong with. Plug and Play ready to go.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/75-gpd-ro-di-5-stage-standard-system.html

[Myreef55]

55 gallon tank with 6 gallon hang on refugium. The water around here is high in minerals so dont want to get something that the filters are too expensive either.

[Wall_Tank]

If your willing to way until the end of the month,   Buckeye Field Supply will be at our Frag Swap.  Russ is very help full with RODI.  If you need to get one now, call them.

[Coral Squad]

SAME HERE IN SPENCERVILLE IM AT TDS OF 1000 IN  BUT 0 OUT

[Myreef55]

So I found a new in the box Microline TFC-4 Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System for very cheap on craigslist and bought it ($65, normally $350). Good deal I thought. The R.O. came with a membrane, activated carbon, and sediment carbon filter. It also came with an inline granular activated carbon filter. My question is it best to use all the filters and the inline carbon for reef water or better to leave one or another of these out? Also I am  trying to figure out how to do an inexpensive auto top off. I will have my R.O. in the basement but will run a line directly to my tank. I also do not have a sump. I am little worried about using floating switches because I have heard of these failing. I dont know any ideas?

[Wall_Tank]

There is no good way to do auto top off directly from a RO unit.    Every time it starts to make water, you get a bad dose.   IF you can, keep a tank of RO water in your basement, then get a Top Off system(redundant float switchs) that controls a pump to get the water to your tank.

AS far as the carbon, You can run everything you want......the more the merrier.

[Myreef55]

Not sure I understand what you mean a bad dose? This unit has small tank for faucet hook up which I plan to use as well. Could I use this instead of bin and pump? I dont really want to drill large holes in floor. I was thinking one small hole for 1/4" r.o. line.

[Wall_Tank]

Sorry....  Bad Dose of TDS, or TDS creep.

When the RO system is off, the RO membrane allows the solids that your trying to remove to get into the "Good" water.   When you start the system, you get that batch of not clean water.  So short cycling a RO system will give you alot of dirty water.

I just re-read that you don't have a sump.   Auto Top off is going to be problematic.   You need more water level fluctuations to make this work without TDS creep.   Plus the sensors are probably unsightly in your display tank.   I would just keep a batch of water and manually fill.

[discus513]

If your willing to way until the end of the month,   Buckeye Field Supply will be at our Frag Swap.  Russ is very help full with RODI.  If you need to get one now, call them.

I agree, contact Russ! he is very good at personalizing RO systems, instead of feeling like you are talking to a business man you feel like you are talking to a buddy that is just way smaerter than you when it comes to RO

[lazylivin]

I have mine connected directly to my rodi system. I use a level loc autotop which has three fail safe's and a timer. The tds creep is about 15 for perhaps 20 drips of water which is insignificant considering it only cycles on once or twice a day depending how I have it configured. + any of this tds creep will be gone as it passes through the di resin. I have been running two of these for bast couple years off the same rodi unit and haven't had to fill a ato container, water change bucket since. For those that don't have room for ato container or want to remove a manual chore associated with keeping a reef tank it is a great way to go.

[cyberwollf]

So I found a new in the box Microline TFC-4 Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System for very cheap on craigslist and bought it ($65, normally $350). Good deal I thought. The R.O. came with a membrane, activated carbon, and sediment carbon filter.

Doesnt sound like you have a DI chamber on this.  You'll want to get one to take out that last 20-30 TDS down to 0. 

[Russ]

Hi guys.

As some general guidance, here are some things to look for in a system for this hobby:

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
TDS meter
DI bypass
Vertical DI stage
Refillable DI cartridge
Aluminum bracket
Quick connect fittings
No water from pressurized storage container delivered to DI
Flush valve
Clear housings
High-quality instructions
Customer support before, during, and after your purchase
A vendor involved in your hobby


If you have any questions - I'm happy to work through them here with you, or at the frag swap.

Russ @ BFS