Purchasing an RODI, opinions

[TangerineSpeedo]

I am tired of carrying jugs up the stairs and paying a premium for RODI. So its time, or really past time.
My parameters are such;
I live in an apartment so probably hook it up under the bathroom sink.
I need to make about 20- 40 gallons a week depending on QT, water changes and evaporation.
I have good water pressure, but will probably get a pump
I live in Los Angeles
So my ?'s are
Can I start with a 4 stage and expand from there depending on my needs?
Should I go with a "water saver" kit right away? If I do do I need a pump to run that?
The available systems all seems pretty much the same, but it is hard to tell quality from a picture or a review...
Which brand and or system should I avoid?
Thanks for your time.
-T

 

[ScubaFish802]

The BRS systems are good quality/price and have easy to follow instructions imo

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

I am tired of carrying jugs up the stairs and paying a premium for RODI. So its time, or really past time.
My parameters are such;
I live in an apartment so probably hook it up under the bathroom sink.
I need to make about 20- 40 gallons a week depending on QT, water changes and evaporation.
I have good water pressure, but will probably get a pump
I live in Los Angeles
So my ?'s are
Can I start with a 4 stage and expand from there depending on my needs?
Should I go with a "water saver" kit right away? If I do do I need a pump to run that?
The available systems all seems pretty much the same, but it is hard to tell quality from a picture or a review...
Which brand and or system should I avoid?
Thanks for your time.
-T

I like the brs units but there are many options. Without knowing the city water conditions it’s hard to say on a four stage. You can always try it and add on to it if needed. The difference will be long term costs basically as mixed bed resins will need to be changed out when one of the resins is still good. Individual anion and cation resins make it so that you only replace the depleted resin without throwing out the other, which saves money in the long haul but it’s nothing spectacular. Water saver is great for water conservation so I always recommend it especially when you’re in a drought zone. Not knowing your pressure I can’t state for certain that you wouldn’t need a pump but it is typically advised and the greater pressure makes it more efficient. If you’re in an apartment and water is included in the rent….and you don’t give a hoot about the drought, you could get by without. Figure without your probably dumping four gallons down the drain for every one gallon of rodi you make. With a water saver it’s closer to one and a half gallons down the drain for every gallon of rodi produced. While I was waiting to move into my new house I had a brs seven stage unit that I bolted the two sections together using the supplied brackets. Placed the booster pump on the bracket channel and zip tied it, and made a chain handle. This made it very compact and portable as I had to go outside and used the hose bib to make water every two weeks while I was staying with relatives. As compact as it was like that, I doubt it would have fit under a typical smaller bathroom sink. I believe the brs units come with a sink adaptor, a under sink adaptor and a piercing valve for a plastic under sink drain. I would double check though. Plus not a under sink water supply are the same size so you may need a larger adaptor. Not having to lug jugs around will be great!

 

[ScubaFish802]

Without knowing the city water conditions it’s hard to say on a four stage. You can always try it and add on to it if needed.

This is a good point. You should be able to find your towns latest water testing report online which could help as additional info for the post

 

[Dbichler]

I really like aquafx only unit I’ve ever had going on 12 years like you previously hauled water for four years.

 

[Uncle99]

I have been using the 3 stage geek pure off Amazon $100,plus a separate DI canister $40, plus resin $10, for 10 years.
Tons of Zero TDS and I use 20-30gallons every week as you do.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

I like the brs units but there are many options. Without knowing the city water conditions it’s hard to say on a four stage. You can always try it and add on to it if needed. The difference will be long term costs basically as mixed bed resins will need to be changed out when one of the resins is still good. Individual anion and cation resins make it so that you only replace the depleted resin without throwing out the other, which saves money in the long haul but it’s nothing spectacular. Water saver is great for water conservation so I always recommend it especially when you’re in a drought zone. Not knowing your pressure I can’t state for certain that you wouldn’t need a pump but it is typically advised and the greater pressure makes it more efficient. If you’re in an apartment and water is included in the rent….and you don’t give a hoot about the drought, you could get by without. Figure without your probably dumping four gallons down the drain for every one gallon of rodi you make. With a water saver it’s closer to one and a half gallons down the drain for every gallon of rodi produced. While I was waiting to move into my new house I had a brs seven stage unit that I bolted the two sections together using the supplied brackets. Placed the booster pump on the bracket channel and zip tied it, and made a chain handle. This made it very compact and portable as I had to go outside and used the hose bib to make water every two weeks while I was staying with relatives. As compact as it was like that, I doubt it would have fit under a typical smaller bathroom sink. I believe the brs units come with a sink adaptor, a under sink adaptor and a piercing valve for a plastic under sink drain. I would double check though. Plus not a under sink water supply are the same size so you may need a larger adaptor. Not having to lug jugs around will be great!

Yes, since I live in SoCal I am concerned about wasting water, probably recycle some of it for plants, dishes, etc. Also the double resins are a great point! One of the reasons I waited so long, is you can easily get overwhelmed by all the options and brands. My LFS is only a block away, so I'll get frustrated and just go over there. When I started my Nano, 5g would last me two weeks if not more. Now my 40 cube evaporates at least a 1/2 gallon a day. I could of bought three 7 stages by now, I just need to pull the pin.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

Also, I forgot. Are chlorine and chloramines read as TDS? I know this may be a stupid ? But TDS stands for "Total dissolved solids" and technically Chlorine is a gas. So if you have zero TDS you will not have any Chorine or Chloramine ?
Thanks
-T

 

[Dbichler]

No they get tested by chlorine strips if you check your cities water report you will know if they use chloramines and then you need a chloramine buster filter as well basically a specialized carbon to eliminate it. Most cities use it and a safe bet to just add it on.

 

[mdb_talon]

I am a big fan of discount rodi units. Paying for a brand of when most all just the same hardware dont make sense to me. In the filters is where u may want to spend some extra money, but i would go with one of cheaper 4 or 5 stage on amazon unless you really want a bunch of bells and whistles. When it time to replace filters then decide what level of quality u want to go with

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

Yes, since I live in SoCal I am concerned about wasting water, probably recycle some of it for plants, dishes, etc. Also the double resins are a great point! One of the reasons I waited so long, is you can easily get overwhelmed by all the options and brands. My LFS is only a block away, so I'll get frustrated and just go over there. When I started my Nano, 5g would last me two weeks if not more. Now my 40 cube evaporates at least a 1/2 gallon a day. I could of bought three 7 stages by now, I just need to pull the pin.

If you use it for plants you may want to dilute it with fresh water as it may have very high tds that certain plants wouldn’t like. Cleaning and filling up toilet tanks are fine uses.

 

[Gtinnel]

I use a cheap aqua fx filter and I started with a basic 4 stage and added to it to meet my needs. If you have low enough tds on your supply water and enough pressure (should be fine with a booster pump) then I’d strongly recommend a second membrane. Not only does it save water but it also makes water twice as fast. I’m considering adding a third membrane to mine.

 

[Screwgunner]

If you have chlorine the ro buddy is good for 400 gallons with the di filter . Get an extra carbon and di filter . Change the two and you are good for another 400 gallons. Cheap on chewy.com .

 

[eqbal9947]

whatever you buy make sure it has the built in TDS meter and pressure gauge.

 

[kristianosayer]

I know this may be a stupid ? But TDS stands for "Total dissolved solids" and technically Chlorine is a gas.

Showbox jiofi.local.html tplinklogin​

 

[minus9]

I live in Los Angeles (SFV) and our water is crap. I started off with the 4 stage water saver unit from BRS, then over time, I upgraded to a 7 stage system with a booster pump, but I run a hybrid BRS/Spectrapure system and it does an awesome job. My waste water goes directly into my pool or I catch 5 gallons and water some plants, but nothing goes to waste, especially now with our water restrictions. Here's the order of my system, which does wonders for cleaning up our water. 0.5 micron sediment filter > Universal carbon (1 micron) > Universal carbon (1 micron) > booster pump > 2 dow 75g membranes > MegaMaxCap > Super SilicaBuster > Enduro
I'm actually considering dropping down to just one membrane to help prolong the DI resin's life, but I'm only replacing the silica buster and mixed bed, the mega max cap is still going strong. I was using the BRS bulk resins, but I got tired of packing resin and the anion resin would always deplete pretty fast (this is the one that removes silicates), so I switched to Spectrapure resins and haven't looked back. The water saver units are good, especially here, but be aware that you'll most likely have to replace your resins and membranes slightly earlier than others.
Also, check the local clubs/forums, there's always someone selling a good used unit.

 

[mdb_talon]

I know this may be a stupid ? But TDS stands for "Total dissolved solids" and technically Chlorine is a gas.

Showbox jiofi.local.html tplinklogin​

Chlorine can be a gas. It can also be a liquid or a solid.

 

[Duncan62]

I am tired of carrying jugs up the stairs and paying a premium for RODI. So its time, or really past time.
My parameters are such;
I live in an apartment so probably hook it up under the bathroom sink.
I need to make about 20- 40 gallons a week depending on QT, water changes and evaporation.
I have good water pressure, but will probably get a pump
I live in Los Angeles
So my ?'s are
Can I start with a 4 stage and expand from there depending on my needs?
Should I go with a "water saver" kit right away? If I do do I need a pump to run that?
The available systems all seems pretty much the same, but it is hard to tell quality from a picture or a review...
Which brand and or system should I avoid?
Thanks for your time.
-T

RO buddy 4 stage. Very affordable and easy.

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

SpectraPure works for me.