Cheap(er) booster pump for RO/DI

[1Der9_3hy]

I have tried running my ro/di on just my well pump pressue (40 psi). It works, but its not optimal and im not happy with the waste water to product water raio (it was close to 10:1). After speaking with a ro/di supplier, they explained to me why I need a booster pump, and how it works. I looked around for 10 minutes and found that Aquatec 6800/8800's seem to be the defacto booster pump for ro/di's. At $140 for the "kit" (dont get me started, why is it a "kit" when all it is a pump and the transformer you need to plug it in!?) its a nice chunk of change just to increase the ro systems efficiency and improve the membranes life span.

After looking for some more generic terms for these pumps, i was able to find 123filter.com. They sell this:

123filter.com Water Filter, Reverse Osmosis, Replacement Cartridge

Thats a chinese clone of the aquatec 8800, for half the price. But thats only one piece of the puzzle here...we still need a power supply to run it. If you look closely, you will see its a 24V 0.65 anp DC motor. Quickly, run to amazon and find one i thought! After a few seconds i found this:

Amazon.com: 24 Volt 1 Amp Power Adapter, AC to DC, 2.1mm X 5.5mm Plug, Regulated UL 24v 1a Power Supply Wall Plug: Electronics

$18! Thats, $12 cheaper than the required transformer for the Aquatec pump. If your keeping track, this pump setup is $66 cheaper than the Aquatec. If you compare this to the smaller aquatec 6800 pump, its still $25 cheaper. If you dont have an RO system, 123filter.com has the cheapest boosted ro/di system ive found yet ($220 +free ship).

Just thought id share this, since for me...it was a real hurdle to spend that much on a booster pump. Given that many of us have old laptop chargers laying around collecting dust, you may not even need a AC to DC 24V power supply (you will have to do your own homework on those, but most of them should work).

 

[Jake1]

Great idea

 

[AZDesertRat]

To put it as simple as possible, "You get what you pay for with RO/DI". The clone pumps are cheap for a reason and why reputable vendors do not use them. Same with RO or RO/DI systems, they are not all the same even if outwardly they look similar. Its what is inside that counts and what you are paying for. Since water is the single largest ingredient in a reef system, and everything depends on its quality and stability, cutting corners is not advised.

If you have a 75 GPD or larger RO membrane the Aquatec 6800 or its clone will not keep up with the volume and will burn up in time, the 8800 is the answer and leave the clones where they belong.

You really do get what you pay for.

 

[1Der9_3hy]

Great idea

Thanks

To put it as simple as possible, "You get what you pay for with RO/DI". The clone pumps are cheap for a reason and why reputable vendors do not use them. Same with RO or RO/DI systems, they are not all the same even if outwardly they look similar. Its what is inside that counts and what you are paying for. Since water is the single largest ingredient in a reef system, and everything depends on its quality and stability, cutting corners is not advised.

If you have a 75 GPD or larger RO membrane the Aquatec 6800 or its clone will not keep up with the volume and will burn up in time, the 8800 is the answer and leave the clones where they belong.

You really do get what you pay for.

To each their own, ive owned 3 different systems (a new Kent, a used filter guys and a used Buckeye system). They all used the same membranes, sediment filters and carbon blocks. Its a gamble buying a knock off of anything, but im willing to give it a try. YMMV, but with the little water production i need (about 75 gallons/month) im going to give this a shot.

 

[AZDesertRat]

Of the three systems you have owned the only one worth having is the Buckeye. Russ builds a good system. Thye are not all the same and did not use the same sediment and carbon blocks when new I guarantee you. Russ uses high quality, low micron filters and a single carbon block in the 0.6 micron range, the others don't. As I said earlier, there is a difference. Russ also uses a capillary tube flow restrictor and on his Premium systems provides an inline pressure gauge and thermometer, the others provide neither. You get what you pay for. My first choice wuld be Spectrapure who has been engineering, testing and selling systems for over 27 years and Buckeye would be my close second choice. Both use and recommend Aquatec 8800 booster pumps for a reason, they have been around the block a time or two.
And fow what its worth I have owned at least 5 or 6 RO/DI systems personally and tested and used literally dozens in my profession as a water systems operator. there is a difference and you ge twhat you pay for.