[bbleifus]

I need to know if DO water is absolutely needed for a reef system? I kills me to know for every one gallon of DO water three gallons go down the drain. I was brought up in "the waste not want not" era. If I get a dual DI filter with a TDS meter is this water OK for top offs and water changes. I am planning on getting refillable filters with mixed bed resins.

[pogodzib]

RO water is not necessary if you have a good source of water. If you try using only DI Resin for your water, the cost starts to mount quickly if your water coming out of the faucet doesn't have a very low TDS to start with. I wouldn't take long before you'd soon find out that RO/DI water is much cheaper. If you are concerned about wasting the waste water, you could use it pump the waste water into you washing machine for washing close or get a more expensive RO/DI unit that is more efficient (some of the units have 2 RO filters - one for the initial water entering the unit and a second one to filter the waste water). Don't ask me about how the washing machine thing is done because I don't have a clue how people rig it up correctly without overtopping the machine when it gets full, but I have heard of several people doing it.

[rlcline76]

I use my waste water line on a nearby shrub, it is pretty green.

[marciemp]

You can get a zero waste R/O unit at Costco.ca, which is Canadian, maybe they have one at costco.com too. It is twice as expensive as regular R/O units but I imagine over time you save money on water if you are on a water meter. You need to have a costco membership to buy. If costco makes it then I would think it is available elsewhere too.

[bbleifus]

I purchased the Watts Zero Waste at Costco. Thanks for the info. I know it will pay for itself in time. I am also looking into adding DI filter on the out put of the Zero Waste unit.

[jimw369]

I purchased a 6 stage RO/DI unit for $100. Its probably not a good one. Yes, rechargeable filters. TDS reading is 2ppm and company says it will go down 1 more ppm. For every gal of ro/di water I get 2.25 gal of water to be used elsewhere that I was going to use straight from the tap anyway. Mostly for shrubs and flowers. I am sure if someone wanted they could come up with some creative ideas for that "wasted" water. If the filters last as long as the company says they will the ro/di water will cost somewhere close to 5 cents a gallon. If it can go wrong, it will go wrong for me. I felt ro/di water was necessary for me. Hope this helps a little. Good Luck!

[stevdea]

The RO water from walmart is $.68 a gallon. It test 0 with my reef test kit, and is eaiser then setting up my own RO unit. I rent therfore its not condusive for me to put out the effort. It cost about $10.00 per water change. Just throwing it out there.

[marciemp]

I am glad you found the zero waste unit a costco to buy, happy to help. Have you used the zero waste unit yet? I am thinking of buying it. How many gallons per day can it make? That is my main question which is not answered on the webpage.

[Krazy]

The Filter Guys

take a look over there, find the # and call, ask for *Jim*

He'll walk you through 100% of the way !