Just The Basics vs Distilled Water

[adsf430]

I have a nano tank and I've been using Just the Basics water from CVS to maintain it. Does anyone have experience with it? Am I better off buying distilled? Is there some form of modern RODI unit I could buy that only produces a few gallons a day that doesn't take up space? Really don't want to purchase an RODI system as I live in Manhattan and it would be an eyesore I can't hide well in my apartment.

 

[blaxsun]

There was a post the other day from someone who started using one of those pitcher filtration systems (similar to Brita, but I don't recall the name offhand). It's something you could probably put in the fridge or the counter and use for both your tank and drinking water.

 

[adsf430]

Zero Water? Saw someone mentioned that in 2016 but it only does 15 gallons of 0 TDS

 

[afrokobe]

I heard good things about zero water, but I also heard it chews through filters. I would just get an rodi setup. It pays itself back

 

[nereefpat]

Just the Basics label says 'purified by distillation.' I would just by regular 99 cents/gallon distilled. Depending on how much water you go through, your own RODI may or may not pay for itself quickly.

Really don't want to purchase an RODI system as I live in Manhattan and it would be an eyesore I can't hide well in my apartment.

You don't have a sink that the unit can sit under?

 

[Mhamilton0911]

These are small "counter top " ones. Could use on the counter and put away after.

Really depends on how 'dirty' your source water is on how long you get from any type of filter.

 

[adsf430]

I live in NYC in a fairly new building so I imagine the tap water isn't that bad to start out with. Cost is less of an issue than convenience since I only need about 5 gallons of water a week, so I don't want to set up a full system for that. I also rent my apartment so don't want to mess with the plumbing. Would Zero Water be a good option? Regardless of the need to replace the filters often? Honestly lugging water back and forth from CVS is a pain, and with the supply chain issues, distilled water is rarely even in stock.

 

[blaxsun]

Zero Water - that's the brand the other guy was using. I assume the 5 gallons is also for water changes? The large pitcher is rated for 5 gallons a week and the filter is rated for about 20 gallons, so as long as you're ok with the filter cost every month it should work out great for you.

And yes, the thrill of lugging around 5 gallon water jugs fades pretty quickly (I still lug them from the RO in my my laundry room to the tank downstairs, but at least I don't have to drove halfway across the city lugging 20+ gallons of water around anymore).

 

[adsf430]

I currently carry two 3.5 gallon jugs from my closest CVS 3 blocks away or the further one 2 avenues and 7 blocks away when necessary : ( no bueno. Yes 3.5 gallons for water changes and probably around 1.5 gallons for the ATO. Sounds like the best way to go, thanks everyone!

 

[nereefpat]

Looks like Zero Water is just DI resin after water pitcher type filter. It will depend on TDS of feed water how long that lasts. DI without RO doesn't make much sense to me, as you could be removing 95% of contaminants with the RO instead of burning through DI resin, but I can see why someone not wanting to do any plumbing would like the idea.

 

[Grumblez]

I did a video on this

Basically I tested distilled, purified water I think, and the 5 gallon jug with calcium added. All had zero phosphate.
A trick for making zero filters last q very long time is to get 2 pitchers, your first pitcher has an old filter, the second a new one. Once 2nd filter starts reading 1 or 2 tds put it in your first pitcher and a new one in the 2nd.