Making Water

Polyp Punk · Jan 20, 2021

Hey Reefers,
What is the best and simplest way to make water for my 15-20 gallon tank? I used to have a big RODI system for my 75 gallon back in the day... Is there a nano version of any RODI system these days ? Interested in your thoughts Thanks!

1guydude · Jan 20, 2021

You can buy ro water at the supermarket. Whats your home tds? Run it through a di resin block and be done. Lol. Get a tds meter too. Lol
Hths
D

Red_Beard · Jan 20, 2021

There is a little one, can't say how well it works though. https://aquaticlife.com/collections...ge-compact-reverse-osmosis-systems-cartridges

If you can though, might as well do a 5 stage, then you get longer filter life and better water quality. The BRS 5 stage is legit, that i can vouch for.

polyppal · Jan 20, 2021

The go-to cheap and effective RODI. Its 60gpd would easily accommodate your tank size

AZMSGT · Jan 20, 2021

Many people with smaller tanks have turned 4 stage RODI into portable units on carts. Tough to get away from the bulk.

You can always buy distilled water and it's just as good.

Polyp Punk · Jan 20, 2021

Red_Beard said:
There is a little one, can't say how well it works though. https://aquaticlife.com/collections...ge-compact-reverse-osmosis-systems-cartridges

If you can though, might as well do a 5 stage, then you get longer filter life and better water quality. The BRS 5 stage is legit, that i can vouch for.

yea i have the 3 stage rodi from BRS.. but all the filters are old and dirty from my old tank.. can i just replace the filters so i dont have to buy an entire new system ?

Reef. · Jan 20, 2021

Salt_Life said:
yea i have the 3 stage rodi from BRS.. but all the filters are old and dirty from my old tank.. can i just replace the filters so i dont have to buy an entire new system ?

yes but the seals may need replacing too.

the water from a rodi unit doesn’t know if it’s going in a small or a big tank, it needs to be the same quality for both, I would not go for a small unit, as they are compromised in some way.

Nick Steele · Jan 20, 2021

Using the old rodi unit should be fine. I’m using a 6 stage BRS unit for my nuvo20 and it just sits under my bathroom sink when I need to make water I unroll the ro lines and make water in the shower in case I forget about it.

Polyp Punk · Jan 20, 2021

Reef. said:
yes but the seals may need replacing too.

the water from a rodi unit doesn’t know if it’s going in a small or a big tank, it needs to be the same quality for both, I would notion for a small unit, as they are compromised in some way.

which unit from BRS would you suggest for a 15-20 gallon nano ?

Red_Beard · Jan 20, 2021

Salt_Life said:
yea i have the 3 stage rodi from BRS.. but all the filters are old and dirty from my old tank.. can i just replace the filters so i dont have to buy an entire new system ?

Absolutely! I had one from wayback i was using for freshwater discus. It sat for a few years before i got it back online for reefing. Just clean it and replace all the media/membrane and make sure the seals on the canisters are still good and you are good as new!

shim · Jan 20, 2021

Salt_Life said:
which unit from BRS would you suggest for a 15-20 gallon nano ?

I'm using their 75GPD 5 stage for my 25gal tank. I've added a booster pump though because making 40 gallons of RODI used to take >20hrs, after adding the booster, it's about 3 hrs for 20 gallons.

Red_Beard · Jan 20, 2021

Salt_Life said:
which unit from BRS would you suggest for a 15-20 gallon nano ?

I would say it isnt about size so much as water quality. If you are starting with decent water(lower tds, like sub ~150 or so, and no chloramines) you would probably be best served from both a price and quality standpoint just adding a dual stage di after your current 3 stage. All that buying a new one would do is give you a new canister configuration.

Reef. · Jan 20, 2021

Salt_Life said:
which unit from BRS would you suggest for a 15-20 gallon nano ?

I’m in the UK so unfortunately don’t use BRS but this one seems very good and seems to match the one I have. Remember your water pressure needs to be fairly good around 70psi is good, if not it will be slow producing the water and you will not be getting the best out of the unit, a booster pump is well worth getting.

4 Stage Value 75GPD RO/DI System

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www.bulkreefsupply.com

Polyp Punk · Jan 20, 2021

shim said:
I'm using their 75GPD 5 stage for my 25gal tank. I've added a booster pump though because making 40 gallons of RODI used to take >20hrs, after adding the booster, it's about 3 hrs for 20 gallons.

where can i get a booster? and you install it right onto the sink ?

shim · Jan 20, 2021

I bought this:

Reef. · Jan 20, 2021

Salt_Life said:
where can i get a booster? and you install it right onto the sink ?

very easy to install, all you do is cut the tubing from your rodi system, stick one end in the booster pump and the other in the opposite side.

Search results for: '' - Bulk Reef Supply

Bulk Reef Supply - Saltwater Aquarium Supplies for Reef Tanks

www.bulkreefsupply.com

shadow1013 · Jan 22, 2021

Why does it have to be small? I had a 20 gallon brute but still had a 4 stage RODI. Honestly I'm thinking of trying to go bigger this time even with a smaller tank to one large batch of fresh water to last a month so less need to flush each time.

Polyp Punk · Jan 23, 2021

shadow1013 said:
Why does it have to be small? I had a 20 gallon brute but still had a 4 stage RODI. Honestly I'm thinking of trying to go bigger this time even with a smaller tank to one large batch of fresh water to last a month so less need to flush each time.

im goign to just buy the 4 stage BRS RODI system. Any others that compete with the BRS ?

Familyman2010 · Jan 23, 2021

Salt_Life said:
yea i have the 3 stage rodi from BRS.. but all the filters are old and dirty from my old tank.. can i just replace the filters so i dont have to buy an entire new system ?

I don’t see why not

A2dahlberg · Jan 23, 2021

zbryce said:
The go-to cheap and effective RODI. Its 60gpd would easily accommodate your tank size

That's the one I have it works great. If you hook it up to your shower head you have to make an adapter 2 pieces from your local hardware store and your done.