Purchasing RO/DI unit

Plunder · May 18, 2020

I've been looking at the RO/DI units and I found what seems like a decent one for $240. It's the Essence premium quality 75 GPD +pH alkalinity using calcium mineral cartridges. Has anyone used one of these? Sounds too good to be true, do you think it might give the required minerals without having to dose or use extra equipment?

AZMSGT · May 18, 2020

You sure that’s an RO DI system or just an RO with some odd calcium supplement cartridge? Me personally, go with what works and no gimicky things.

If this is what you are referring to it’s just an RO system. It’s missing the DI side.

APEC Water Systems Essence Premium Quality 75 GPD pH+ Alkaline Mineral Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System ROES-PH75 - The Home Depot

Enjoy fresh, great tasting ph+ calcium mineral water right at home that is perfect for drinking, cooking and making delicious coffee, tea and ice. ROES-PH75 is guaranteed to remove up to 99% of harmful

www.homedepot.com

A basic RO system can have a separate purchased DI cartridge added to it.

Retro Reefer · May 18, 2020

That system is for making drinking water, the mineral cartridge is to add flavor to water after it is stripped clean by the RO system.

Bo. · May 18, 2020

The brs 4-stage is a pretty decent entry RODI unit for around $150. Spectrapure is another great brand, and is my preference.

Plunder · May 18, 2020

AZMSGT said:
You sure that’s an RO DI system or just an RO with some odd calcium supplement cartridge? Me personally, go with what works and no gimicky things.

If this is what you are referring to it’s just an RO system. It’s missing the DI side.

APEC Water Systems Essence Premium Quality 75 GPD pH+ Alkaline Mineral Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System ROES-PH75 - The Home Depot

Enjoy fresh, great tasting ph+ calcium mineral water right at home that is perfect for drinking, cooking and making delicious coffee, tea and ice. ROES-PH75 is guaranteed to remove up to 99% of harmful

www.homedepot.com

A basic RO system can have a separate purchased DI cartridge added to it.

Good catch, I didn't even notice that. I did a little more searching and found a Koolermax AR-122 6-stage RO+DI on amazon for $145. I like that it comes with an attachment for a garden hose fitting as I would use that to add the water to my 44g brute. Anyone try or heard anything about the Koolermax models?

jstncoffman · May 18, 2020

I personally have the BRS 150GPD with twin DI canisters, twin membrains and automatic shut off valve, thing just makes great water and the 3 way tds Meter let's you keep a eye on when the filters and membrains are getting bad, i have mine hooked up to a float on my main RO/di water can and its set and forget, but remember water pressure is important, if your house water pressure is not at least 55psi a booster pump may be needed for the 150GPD , you can go with the 75GPD with lower inlet water pressure just my 2 cents

dohc97 · May 18, 2020

I also have the brs water saver unit and it works great, find a similar system from a good seller and you should be good

jstncoffman · May 18, 2020

dohc97 said:
I also have the brs water saver unit and it works great, find a similar system from a good seller and you should be good

+1

Plunder · May 18, 2020

jstncoffman said:
I personally have the BRS 150GPD with twin DI canisters, twin membrains and automatic shut off valve, thing just makes great water and the 3 way tds Meter let's you keep a eye on when the filters and membrains are getting bad, i have mine hooked up to a float on my main RO/di water can and its set and forget, but remember water pressure is important, if your house water pressure is not at least 55psi a booster pump may be needed for the 150GPD , you can go with the 75GPD with lower inlet water pressure just my 2 cents

I like that Koolermax AR-122 has a built-in water pressure indicator. It said 85psi was ideal. I never really messed around with the water pressure in the house before, so I'm not sure what it is. But couldn't the pressure from a garden hose be adjusted easier than say in the house?

Snoopy 67 · May 18, 2020

House pressure is the same inside or outside. If there is an adjustment it should be by the pipe entering the house. Many RODI's come with a pressure gauge. Spectrapure,BRS, Buckeye Hydro, all good systems.

jstncoffman · May 18, 2020

Plunder said:
I like that Koolermax AR-122 has a built-in water pressure indicator. It said 85psi was ideal. I never really messed around with the water pressure in the house before, so I'm not sure what it is. But couldn't the pressure from a garden hose be adjusted easier than say in the house?

Yes most house houses are around 50 to 55, the brs has a pressure gage also, but yes it would be better to adjust pressure at a water inlet or at your water heater inlet

dohc97 · May 18, 2020

The water pressure gauge is there so that you can see what your house pressure is initially and also so that you can gauge if things are clogging up. If your house pressure does not go over say 55 you might want to add a booster pump. My unit consists of the following:

1 micron sediment
2 1 micron carbon blocks
2 75gpd membranes
2 di resin stages
1 pressure gauge
3 sensor TDS meter
Manual flush valve

My water pressure is usually 65-70 psi so I do not require a booster pump, when my water pressure drops it's usually due to my sediment filter being partially clogged, also the 3 way tds lets me keep tabs on tds after the membranes, after the first di cartridge and after the second di cartridge.

jstncoffman · May 18, 2020

9 times outta 10 most 50 to 75 GPD units are good for most houses, the standard water presure is 50psi unless you live on well water or something not provided by your city

dohc97 · May 18, 2020

jstncoffman said:
9 times outta 10 most 50 to 75 GPD units are good for most houses, the standard water presure is 50psi unless you live on well water or something not provided by your city

I have the dual membrane model for the water saver feature more than for the faster water production. In my case I do make quite a bit of water and it makes me feel better to waste a little less than I used to with my 75gpd unit.

MTBake · May 18, 2020

This one is a great starting point. Quality filters and good housings. Can add what you need down the road.

Premium RODI System

At Buckeye Hydro we specialize in providing the highest quality water filtration systems and accessories for every potential need.

www.buckeyehydro.com

Spieg · May 18, 2020

I think you are going at this backwards. Picking the right filter should start with what your specific needs are.
To start with - are you filtering water from a well, municipal supply, rain water collector?
Do you have chlorine or chloramine?
What water pressure do you have (you may need a booster pump)?
How much water do you need to make over what period of time?
Is high volume of waste water a concern (some areas have very expensive water so 50% waste is a problem)?
Are you willing to invest a little more up-front to save money down the road?

GaryE · May 18, 2020

Plunder said:
Good catch, I didn't even notice that. I did a little more searching and found a Koolermax AR-122 6-stage RO+DI on amazon for $145. I like that it comes with an attachment for a garden hose fitting as I would use that to add the water to my 44g brute. Anyone try or heard anything about the Koolermax models?

I installed one last week. Works just fine.