looking for good economy rodi unit.

kaceyo · Aug 6, 2019

Where is the best place to by and what is the best unit for the price? I can get the rodi units offered on BRS and Marine Depot cheaper on Amazon and ebay but are there benefits to buying from the reef stores named? I don't need a very advanced unit as my tap water is only around 40tds from the tap. I have two 10" housings on a mount I used for sediment and carbon to treat water for my discus tanks for years and thought I might incorporate them into it but maybe a single portable unit would be best.
Thanks

Kacey

GoVols · Aug 6, 2019

Hello, Kacey

I have always heard that the RO Buddie does a great job, if your looking for a small unit.

But, I would want a hand held tds meter to use with it.

Seems like Amazon sells the replacement cartridges too.

Freddie

Zos4me · Aug 6, 2019

Bulk reef supply

Mical · Aug 6, 2019

This by far is the best value - https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/4-stage-value-ro-di-system-bulk-reef-supply.html

Later upgrade to the - https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/water-saver-upgrade-kit-bulk-reef-supply.html

Granted it's an investment upfront but $$$ savings in long run

kaceyo · Aug 7, 2019

GoVols said:
Hello, Kacey

I have always heard that the RO Buddie does a great job, if your looking for a small unit.

But, I would want a hand held tds meter to use with it.

Seems like Amazon sells the replacement cartridges too.

Freddie

I've heard the same good things about it but would rather have one with standard cartridges.

Ruben's Reef · Aug 7, 2019

I have this RO Buddie for over a year and is good for my 40g breeder. Only buy the refill DI from BRS and you can refill about three times the DI cartridge. Around $60 on Amazon.

This is the upgrades I made for this unit. A TDS meter, a shut off valve and a valve to get drinking water.

GoVols · Aug 7, 2019

kaceyo said:
I've heard the same good things about it but would rather have one with standard cartridges.

Welp,
One day sale on the 75 gallon per day at $194
4 stage with built in TDS meter.

4 Stage Value Plus RO/DI System

BRS 4 Stage Systems are perfect for reefers who have water treated with chlorine or relatively clean well water. Self-contained on a single bracket making them ideal for tight spaces or where a non-permanent connection may be required. Every BRS RODI system can be installed within minutes with...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

phpwebdev · Aug 7, 2019

Mical said:
This by far is the best value - https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/4-stage-value-ro-di-system-bulk-reef-supply.html

Later upgrade to the - https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/water-saver-upgrade-kit-bulk-reef-supply.html

Granted it's an investment upfront but $$$ savings in long run

I am looking at these BRS as well. I am looking more at the "Plus" version with built-in pressure gauge and two-sided TDS. Is that important or should I just get the non-plus version?

Silver14SS · Aug 7, 2019

kaceyo said:
I've heard the same good things about it but would rather have one with standard cartridges.

Excellent idea to stick with the industry standard size! Do you have chloramines in your source water?

GoVols · Aug 7, 2019

phpwebdev said:
I am looking at these BRS as well. I am looking more at the "Plus" version with built-in pressure gauge and two-sided TDS. Is that important or should I just get the non-plus version?

You want a pressure gauge and at least one tds meter, on the output.

kaceyo · Aug 7, 2019

Silver14SS said:
Excellent idea to stick with the industry standard size! Do you have chloramines in your source water?

No, there are no chloramines and the tap waters at 40ppm tds.

Seagull · Aug 7, 2019

Go for the plus from BRS. You definitely want the TDS meters so you can monitor your membrane and DI resin. The pressure gauge is a nice add as well.

kaceyo · Aug 7, 2019

phpwebdev said:
I am looking at these BRS as well. I am looking more at the "Plus" version with built-in pressure gauge and two-sided TDS. Is that important or should I just get the non-plus version?

I'm wondering the same thing. Handheld TDS meters are cheap and soare pressure gauges so don't know if it's worth the extra $$$.

dantimdad · Aug 7, 2019

From experience I can tell you the best value for a home reef keeper is the RO Buddie 4 stage and add a booster.

It's fantastic!

phpwebdev · Aug 7, 2019

dantimdad said:
From experience I can tell you the best value for a home reef keeper is the RO Buddie 4 stage and add a booster.

It's fantastic!

I certainly like that price-point and the 1-day shipping from AZ.

cvrle1 · Aug 7, 2019

Seagull said:
Go for the plus from BRS. You definitely want the TDS meters so you can monitor your membrane and DI resin. The pressure gauge is a nice add as well.

Dont trust inline TDS meter too much, as they can be wrong and show incorrect numbers. They are good for giving you idea on what is going on between stages, but dont take their readings as 100% correct. Use handheld TDS meter for correct readings.

OP, if you find BRS unit for cheaper on Amazon, just check who is it sold by and shipped by. If it is not at least shipped by Amazon, I would check seller ratings to make sure everything checks out. I am not sure how someone could sell brand new unit for cheaper than manufacturer does. In terms of which manufacturer to get, they are all pretty much the same really. It is more important to get good filters and media that go into the unit than to worry about who made the actual unit. I have AquaFX Barracuda and it is a great unit that I added TDS meter to, added BRS membrane flush valve and got 100gpd membrane when I had to change it out. It produces same water as BRS, Spectrapure and other more expensive units for just as long.

phpwebdev · Aug 7, 2019

I just purchased an RO Buddy from AZ for $58. Its $140 less than the BRS and with my 24g tank I think I will be ok with this one. This helps with my lighting budget.

kaceyo · Aug 7, 2019

Marine depot has the Spectrapure 90gpd for$179.99 and with my 10% coupon it is $162. Add a gauge and a flush kit and that might be the one.

kaceyo · Aug 7, 2019

cvrle1 said:
Dont trust inline TDS meter too much, as they can be wrong and show incorrect numbers. They are good for giving you idea on what is going on between stages, but dont take their readings as 100% correct. Use handheld TDS meter for correct readings.

OP, if you find BRS unit for cheaper on Amazon, just check who is it sold by and shipped by. If it is not at least shipped by Amazon, I would check seller ratings to make sure everything checks out. I am not sure how someone could sell brand new unit for cheaper than manufacturer does. In terms of which manufacturer to get, they are all pretty much the same really. It is more important to get good filters and media that go into the unit than to worry about who made the actual unit. I have AquaFX Barracuda and it is a great unit that I added TDS meter to, added BRS membrane flush valve and got 100gpd membrane when I had to change it out. It produces same water as BRS, Spectrapure and other more expensive units for just as long.

The Barracuda is a high rated unit too. One of my serious considerations.

GoVols · Aug 7, 2019

phpwebdev said:
I just purchased an RO Buddy from AZ for $58. Its $140 less than the BRS and with my 24g tank I think I will be ok with this one. This helps with my lighting budget.

Ha ha!!

... ;Woot ;Woot

If you can tie in a TDS meter, down the line, like @spyder813 ... ;Singing ;Singing ;Singing