[map95003]

Hi everyone, I'm just looking for your feedback before purchasing this unit from The Filter Guys

Below are the specs, what do you guys think, should I get any of the add-on's, if so which ones should I get?
Also, is this the best unit I could get for my $$?

Note: I'll be using it for my 75g reef DT w/ 55g sump & 20g fuge.

Thanks for your help.
Martin

$135.00 - OCEAN WAVE FIVE STAGE 75 GPD RO/DI
All systems are made to order with clear 10" canister housings
Stage One NSF rated 5 micron poly sediment filter
Stage Two 5 Micron Matrikx NSF rated CTO/2 carbon block filter
Stage Three 0.6 Micron Matrikx NSF rated +1Chlorine Guzzler carbon block
RO membrane 75 GPD Dow FilmTec
Stage Five in-line color-changing DI cartridge
Quick connect fittings
Self Piercing Saddle Valve Water Supply Connection
Drain Connection
Filter wrench to make cartridge replacement easy

ADD ONS:
PRESSURE GAUGE KIT - $12
MEMBRANE FLUSH VALVE - $10
RO BYPASS VALVE - $12
DUAL TDS METER - $35
DUAL DI SYSTEM - E-MAIL FOR PRICING
AUTO SHUT-OFF - $8
100 GPD FILMTEC MEMBRANE OPTIONAL - $5

[Arnold40]

This is a good filter. The add ons that are needed are:
pressure guage kit--you need to know what pressure your operating the filter at.

Membrane flush valve--your membrane will last longer if you flush it periodically.

Dual TDS meter--this will tell you the quality of your RO/DI water. Also will indicate when you need to change filters.

Auto shut-off: you will need some sort of float valve for your product water for this to work.

[map95003]

thanks for the response. So with the base price of $135 + $60 in ADD-ON's + Shipping I'll be over $200....not a problem, I budgeted $200 for the unit anyway, I just want to make sure this is the best RODI unit I could get for $200. Any other recommendations or should I go ahead and get this one?

[Arnold40]

Most of the unit across all of the sites are the same. the only difference would be the membrane manufacturer. The filter guys' unit work very well and they have great customer service. They also have a thread at reefcentral.com. This unit will work and not give you any problems so you can spend more time on your tank.

[wesley6610]

Originally Posted by map95003

thanks for the response. So with the base price of $135 + $60 in ADD-ON's + Shipping I'll be over $200....not a problem, I budgeted $200 for the unit anyway, I just want to make sure this is the best RODI unit I could get for $200. Any other recommendations or should I go ahead and get this one?

Personally, I think you should get a unit that does more than 75 gpd, that really just scraping the surface with the summer heat coming and evap taking off. You can get units off of ebay for less money, but do about 100 - 125 gpd without the need for a pressure pump. Actually, unless you know you have a pressure problem, meaning low, you won't really need a gauge since you can't do anything about it anyway, so why gauge something you can't fix? I would suggest a digital TDS monitor instead of a pressure gauge, that will be more useful to you each time you make water.

[map95003]

Wes, I see your point. Doesn't make much sense to guage it if I can't do anything about....I have city water, the pressure is pretty strong so I don't think that would be an issue. I try not to go for cheap when buying equipment because most times you have to end up buying the expensive one anyway (after you figure out the cheap one is junk), however I would prefer to save a few $$ where I can without affecting quality too much and use the extra $$ to get something else...

That said, do you mind sending me a link to the unit you are refering to on ebay?

I just want to check it out before making a decision.

thanx.

[wesley6610]

Must be your lucky day, this unit is the same as mines and it comes with a free pressure gauge.

AQUARIUM RO 2DI REVERSE OSMOSIS WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM - eBay (item 130214732456 end time Apr-17-08 12:45:17 PDT)

I would also buy the digital TDS, but nothing more.

[pogodzib]

The fitlerguys RO/DI units are amongst the most popular units used by intermediate level reef keepers because of their quality and price. Spectrapure units are better, but they cost more. E-bay units are built cheaper but they also cost less.

IMO, all RO/DI units used for our tanks SHOULD have clear canister housings, a vertical DI resin chamber, built in TDS meter, auto shutoff w/ storage tank, and pressure gauge. Manual flush valves are nice, IF you actually take the time to use them often. Clear housing gives you a look into what your filter cartridges look like to help decide when they need replacing. A vertical DI resin chamber is much more efficient than a horizontal chamber. In horizontal chambers, the water will find the path of least resistance through the chamber and won't use up all of the resin nearly as efficiently. With vertical chambers, the water is much more efficient with using up all of the resin so it costs less in the long run through less DI resin replacements. A built in TDS meter is much easier to keep and eye on than a handheld TDS meter that you need to pull out every time that you want to see what kind of TDS the unit is producing so you end up checking you TDS more often with a built in TDS meter. An auto shutoff valve is only necessary if you have a pressure storage tank or float valve, but since water gets produces slowly with RO/DI units, I feel that a storage tank and auto shutoff is a great addition. Finally, a pressure gauge helps let you know when a cartridges need to be replaced. Often, the pressure will drop in a RO/DI unit as a cartridge gets plugged. As the cartridge plugs up, the pressure will drop inside of the RO/DI unit, causing your RO membrane to have a lower ejection rate and water ouput, thus taking more time and using up more DI resin. Without having a gauge, you may not know if a cartridge is getting plugged and causing these issues. Unless you've used a good RO/DI unit with a pressure meter and 2-dual TDS meters, it is tough to see how nice these addons really are, but once you've used one, you'd never want to go back to without it.

I'm not trying to help you spend money that you don't have, I'm just letting you know that the extra cost is well worth it if you can afford it. I started out with a cheap E-bay unit, and I thought it did a good job. I now use a Spectrapure unit with all the bells and whistles that does a great job. It all comes down to what you can afford and where to best spend your money.

[wesley6610]

I fully agree and support Brian's detailed comment, and it should also be modeled for all other equipment as well from skimmers, lights, heaters etc.

[map95003]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate all the feedback and the time everyone took to explain the pros and cons. When I started my build I had budgeted ~$200 for the RO/DI unit, I know the e-bay unit is a bit cheaper and would probably be OK but I'll go with the filterguys 5-stage unit, it's $199 and comes with pretty much everything I'll need (their 4-stage unit would work out to be the same price after all the add-on's, the 5-stage comes with the add-on's). And as you all mentioned their units are built a bit stronger and would be better in the long run....thanks.

[map95003]

Here's the one I ordered, I also ordered the float valve for the auto shut-off:

$ 199.00 - OCEAN REEF + 1 FIVE STAGE 75 GPD RO/DI
All systems are made to order with clear 10" canister housings
Stage One NSF rated 5 micron poly sediment filter
Stage Two 5 Micron Matrikx NSF rated CTO/2 Workhorse carbon block
Stage Three 0.6 Micron Matrikx NSF rated chlorine guzzler carbon block
RO membrane 75 GPD Dow Filmtec
Stage Five refillable cartridge with color-changing DI resin
100 PSI pressure gauge
Auto shut-off (Requires Float Valve or Switch To Work)
Membrane flush valve
Dual TDS meter
Quick connect fittings
Self Piercing Saddle Valve Water Supply Connection
Drain Connection
Filter wrench to make cartridge replacement easy

[wesley6610]

Where did you order it from, post the link so I can take a look.

[map95003]

Wes, I ordered it from thefilterguys.com last night, but apparently my order did not go through. I will call them in a few hrs...is that a sign?

Here's the link, you'll have to scroll to see the one I got (well the one I thought I ordered), it's the OCEAN REEF + 1 FIVE STAGE 75 GPD RO/DI for $199

RO/DI Systems

[wesley6610]

Looks pretty good and if I ever get tired of my horizontal DI part of my existing unit, I most likely will get a vertical one like shown on their website. Good find!