Do you actually "need" a RODI eater system?

[bjmartie]

So a few months into my saltwater switch from fresh water. I got a 90g with 40g sump. Got live sand, around 80lbs of rock. Got a few (16 mixed) corals in the tank currently. Tanked my few fish out and running it fallow currently.

Been looking into getting a RODI water system. Up until now, why wife hasn't given we any problems with the amount of money I threw at the tank so far, she actually likes it just as much as me. But now I mentioned needing a RODI water system and she is giving me **** now. Could be cause I just gave her hell for buying 4 pairs of shoes in a month! You can only wear one pair at a time!

But is a RODI system actually needed?! If been filling up a brute with around 30 gallons of water and letting it sit for a day or so, then mixing in my salt. Letting that sit for a day or so and doing my water changes. I have city water and I don't believe it to be terrible water.

But should I just get the RODI?

 

[Mark Goode]

But should I just get the RODI?

Yep. Unless you plan to buy it premade, or buy premade saltwater from your LFS - or unless your tap water is really good - which it probably isn't ( I work in the water industry).

 

[Slayyyter]

I've learned the hard way by using tap water for a while it always leads to excess nutrients thus creating more problems. Got one on Amazon for 60$ works great. Hooked up to my faucet

 

[exnisstech]

I say yes. But..... mine was for my Gals drinking water because she hates the taste of chlorine and doesn't like to have to buy bottled. I just happened to put it in the basement (no room under the counter honey) where my mixing stations is and teed it to the faucet upstairs then to the di. Win win

 

[Gtinnel]

IMO using tap water isn’t a long term option, especially if you plan on keeping corals. With the size of your tank buying filtered water isn’t really a viable option either.

It seems to me like you have learned a valuable lesson, never complain about how much your wife spends. Just use it as justification for what you spend. Anytime we go to a mall I encourage my wife to go and look at purses and shoes.

 

[olonmv]

Buy her a couple of pairs of shoes, then order your RODI system. Problem solved. And yes, a water filtration system is better than not.

 

[bjmartie]

I've learned the hard way by using tap water for a while it always leads to excess nutrients thus creating more problems. Got one on Amazon for 60$ works great. Hooked up to my faucet

Which one did you get?

 

[MaxTremors]

It really just depends on your tap water. I would, at the very least, get an ICP test done on your tap water (and do it at least yearly). Tap water is just an unknown, and makes troubleshooting much more difficult. I used tap water for the first several years of my reefing career, and the tanks and corals I keep now, I would not have been able to keep using the tap water I used back then. I know there are plenty of people out there that use tap, that are successful, but I think that most peoples’ tap water would be a handicap.

 

[MaxTremors]

Which one did you get?

Pretty sure they’re talking about the 50gpd aquaticlife unit from Amazon. It’s fine if you have a nano, but for a larger tank, you need a 100 or 150gpd unit.

 

[Slayyyter]

Which one did you get?

AQUATICLIFE RO Buddie Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System for Aquariums https://a.co/d/cDxoaMd (four stage for better filtration)

 

[Slayyyter]

As mentioned above you probably want the 100gpd I got the 50gpd for my use

 

[JJ"sSouthernAquatics]

It really just depends on your tap water. I would, at the very least, get an ICP test done on your tap water (and do it at least yearly). Tap water is just an unknown, and makes troubleshooting much more difficult. I used tap water for the first several years of my reefing career, and the tanks and corals I keep now, I would not have been able to keep using the tap water I used back then. I know there are plenty of people out there that use tap, that are successful, but I think that most peoples’ tap water would be a handicap.

Yeah, my local fish store only uses tap water, but they have some of the best (at least tasting) tap water.

 

[exnisstech]

AQUATICLIFE RO Buddie Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System for Aquariums https://a.co/d/cDxoaMd (four stage for better filtration)

I just replaced one of these. It was OK but I think if your in the hobby for the long haul or have a tank larger than a nano a traditional system with canisters and 10" cartridges is the best way to go. Then you can add different stages if you want to use more than 1 di resin canister or add an extra carbon block. I wouldn't run less than 2 stages of di resin. Put a tds meter after the first stage and when it starts to read some tds swap out the resin. The water going into your mixing station will still be zero thanks to the seconds stage of resin. JMO

 

[Mikey-D]

I used the cost analysis with mine. More upfront but with the amount of money plus trips to the lfs to buy premixed that would double the cost monthly rather than up front cost and then only every 3-6 months changing filters depending on how much water totalality(used water plus waste water your making). So that helped me get my mixing station. Best of luck wih yours

 

[FishPureLuck]

I bought one and put it under the sink in the kitchen with a storage tank. I ran a line to the fridge for water and ice, and I also added a faucet on my sink to be used for cooking. Those are hooked just to the RO part. I run another line to a storage tank, and right before it gets there, I plumbed in my DI. It makes your water taste better, and your ice is crystal clear. That might be what you need to do to get your wife on board. They look to be under $200 with the tank and faucet. Get the one that you can unscrew the filter housing and replace the filter inside. Then buy another canister and use that for your DI for your ATO and water mixing. The filters are pretty cheap to replace.

 

[rtparty]

Unless you have the best tap water in the nation, it's not feasible long term. As soon as they switch to chloramines, bye bye tank

An RODI unit is one of the cheapest things in this hobby. Consider it insurance for the thousands you'll have in corals and fish

 

[Bpb]

Gonna pull up a seat for the comments. This one might get good. These threads are usually more colorful than the led vs metal halide ones.

No, you don’t NEED an rodi. I would personally never run a tank without one though. Take away my rodi filter, and I am out of the hobby and onto something else. This hobby is ultimately about managing water quality above all else. Mighty hard to do that being at the mercy of municipal water

 

[Mikey-D]

Gonna pull up a seat for the comments. This one might get good. These threads are usually more colorful than the led vs metal halide ones.

No, you don’t NEED an rodi. I would personally never run a tank without one though. Take away my rodi filter, and I am out of the hobby and onto something else. This hobby is ultimately about managing water quality above all else. Mighty hard to do that being at the mercy of municipal water

Or your local lfs. Id rather be at the mercy of my own hands and be able to know exactly whats going in my tank.

 

[gbru316]

I bought one and put it under the sink in the kitchen with a storage tank. I ran a line to the fridge for water and ice, and I also added a faucet on my sink to be used for cooking. Those are hooked just to the RO part. I run another line to a storage tank, and right before it gets there, I plumbed in my DI. It makes your water taste better, and your ice is crystal clear. That might be what you need to do to get your wife on board. They look to be under $200 with the tank and faucet. Get the one that you can unscrew the filter housing and replace the filter inside. Then buy another canister and use that for your DI for your ATO and water mixing. The filters are pretty cheap to replace.

Absolutely this.

My wife was on the fence before I purchased one for our last house. When we moved, it was one of the first things she requested.