[NATIVEVAMAN]

Arnold a tds of ten is hardly dirty water.If all ten of those parts were chlorine the fish would never know it.

[Arnold40]

The forum responses that I was reading on reef central were talking way higher TDS than just 10. They were in the hundreds. I can't link to the reef central forums because their search function is down due to high traffic. There were a lot of unhappy people that had those units. I'm not saying that what they say is gospel but I usually like to hear some feedback on the products that i buy and with the feedback in those forums I would never buy this unit. Does anyone here have one of these units and if so what does the water test out as?

[NATIVEVAMAN]

gimmito posted earlier in this thread that he has one and the tds has historicly been between 0 amd ten.He also said that there were two testimonials on reef central praising the unit.Since most city tap water will read tds's of between 150 and 400 and some really nasty water of 450 the numbers you got from rc would imply the thing doesnt work at all.I would like to say that while a lot of good information can be had in a forum like this most of it is simply grounds for further research.

[jimw369]

Originally Posted by NATIVEVAMAN

gimmito posted earlier in this thread that he has one and the tds has historicly been between 0 amd ten.He also said that there were two testimonials on reef central praising the unit.Since most city tap water will read tds's of between 150 and 400 and some really nasty water of 450 the numbers you got from rc would imply the thing doesnt work at all.I would like to say that while a lot of good information can be had in a forum like this most of it is simply grounds for further research.

This is a little off topic but I never heard anyone say that before. Probably some of the best advice Ive seen in print for saltwater.

Dont let it go to your head Native.

[Marine1]

I got my RO/DI unit from here: http://www.buckeyefieldsupply.com/sh...ry=167&Sub=166

Great customer service as well.

[Arnold40]

Here is the link from reefcentral:
Reef Central Online Community - Kold-Steril & TDS question

Reading through this thread and some of the sub-threads, i wouldn't buy this unit. There are three positive reviews for this unit and a bunch of people on the threads that are saying it doesn't work, even a RC MOD.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

After reading that thread I would say that how the water is treated by your local gov't would determine the effectiveness of these units.It would also seem that poly bio is not very responsive to customer questions or concerns.So if someone were not technicly inclined or doesnt have a clue about how there local water is treated I wouldnt buy the thing .I also understand that aquarists (and other people in general) have prejudices about the things they use on there aquarium and have no problem overstateing there case.The perfect example of this would be me.I think metal halide lighting stinks with the acception of some very deep or oddly shaped tanks I see no use for it.So again I will say that getting impiracle data from a web site is a big mistake,do your own research.

[Arnold40]

My point is, I don't have the time to research every piece of equipment that comes out. I am new to this hobby so my plate is full enough just finding corals and fish I can care for. I rely on these threads to give me a basic understanding and then yes I research the subject if it is favorable. Just like I did when I selected t-5 lighting. You were adamant that they would work so I reasearched it and found that they will, so I bought a very nice set-up. After reading the 3 reviews for the kold-steril and reading the large amount of threads on the unit I drew to the conclusion that these units were not worth my time to research and that I wouldn't buy one. I would think that if something works there would be more buzz about it. There just isn't that buzz about this piece of equipment. I know my RO/DI unit works because this is proven technology. This is what I will stick with until something is proven to be better.

[AngelLeah1981]

I just want to thank you all for the information !!!!
Leah

[IceMan]

Originally Posted by NATIVEVAMAN

After reading that thread I would say that how the water is treated by your local gov't would determine the effectiveness of these units.It would also seem that poly bio is not very responsive to customer questions or concerns.So if someone were not technicly inclined or doesnt have a clue about how there local water is treated I wouldnt buy the thing .I also understand that aquarists (and other people in general) have prejudices about the things they use on there aquarium and have no problem overstateing there case.The perfect example of this would be me.I think metal halide lighting stinks with the acception of some very deep or oddly shaped tanks I see no use for it.So again I will say that getting impiracle data from a web site is a big mistake,do your own research.

what lights do you use?

and on that note, people are often advising to go to a lesser photo period... how long of a light period do corals need?

[AngelLeah1981]

NativeMan uses T5HO's. I am going to use them also after reading his great detailed advice and research on my own. I have learned that a lot more people say the T5HO's wouldn't be good enough in a tank 24 inches deep like mine but I have seen pics of tanks with these lights that are gorgeous and the people that have them swear by them.

I am VERY sensitive to water taste. So If I buy a 5 stage unit which is what I'm leaning more towards now I will have to add something to the water to drink it? ...to replace the natural electrolytes? Does it have a taste? Anyone have a link to this? ...sounds awful. Do I add it to water I'm going to drink AND for the fish? Do you have to wait a period of time to drink the water after adding this stuff?
My tank is 120 gallon. How many gpd do you all suggest? Does it even matter much?

If I don't buy a pressure tank and faucet how big does the storage container need to be? I won't be setting up my 120 gallon for a few months so until then can I just make as much water as I can drink? Or do you have to do so much a day? Is it true you have to constantly use the filters so bacteria doesn't develop?
I hope someone can answer this.

Also, someone was telling me if I buy a SpectraPure I will have to add stuff to the water to drink it. Is this true? ....or is this only true with the SpectraPure? Maybe you can't get the water after RO maybe you can only get the water out of the filter after the DI. I'm not sure. Here is the link though and the model is called MaxCap. Untitled Document
One more thing. I can't stand water that has a taste to it. Oddly enough I even think Evian water and Dasani taste bad....because of this do you think I need to buy a unit this expensive? It's $330 !!

[Arnold40]

You definitely do not want to drink DI water. It is not good for you and it is not cost effective to use the di resin when you do not need to. Here is a 100gpd 5 stage unit that is $169. Melevsreef.com - 100gpd RO/DI System

This one comes with all of the fittings for RO drinking water as well as RO/DI for your tank. You do not need to add anything to either the ro or the ro/di water. Just use it as is for your top offs and mix salt with it for water changes. As far as taste goes with the RO water, it does have most of the contaminants that cause bad taste removed. I drink the ro water from my unit and it tastes great. But, taste is relative. Once you get your tank going you will be making a bunch of water so I wouldn't be too concerned over bacteria. I would imagine that a 120gal tank evaporates a lot of water daily plus 12 gals per week water changes and add on to that what you are drinking. You will be flushing that unit pretty good.