Reverse Osmosis for Aquarium and Home?

[Mark Allan]

I have been using a water distiller for over 30 years and thinking of replacing it with a newer system. I am also thinking of trying my very first reef tank. When shopping for Reverse Osmosis for both a reef tank and my houses drinking water is there a difference in what I should be looking for? Or is RO water just OR water and buy what ever system I can get supplies for?

 

[rfgonzo]

For drinking you don't want DI. Only RO

For saltwater tank you want RO/DI

 

[Mark Allan]

For drinking you don't want DI. Only RO

For saltwater tank you want RO/DI

Actually DI is better for human consumption then RO. there is a book written by a Doctor (forgot the name) called the "choice is clear". But that is a totally different thing to disagree about. My question is what do I need to know when shopping for an RO unit. All my local suppliers only know home use not reefing.

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

Ummm, I am not going to get into a debate about what water you should be drinking. But I would advise you to do a little more research before piping RODI through your home plumbing. ESPECIALLY if you have metal plumbing. It can lead to increased risk of metal toxicity, reduce the amount if electrolytes in the body, and strip minerals from your food if you cook with it.

But hey.. why trust science when you can just find a book that reinforces your beliefs.

 

[lapin]

I have been using a water distiller for over 30 years and thinking of replacing it with a newer system. I am also thinking of trying my very first reef tank. When shopping for Reverse Osmosis for both a reef tank and my houses drinking water is there a difference in what I should be looking for? Or is RO water just OR water and buy what ever system I can get supplies for?

Where are you located and what is your water supply?

 

[Opus]

The only reason not to drink DI water is DI is not food grade material.

As for units, they are basically the same shell wise. The filters themselves are what set them apart.
Here is a link to a write-up reef-junky did a week ago. It is a good place to start. I would add if you are on city water, getting a copy of the latest water report is also a good idea. It should be available on their website.

The Basics of an RODI Filter

An RO membrane forces molecules through a semipermeable membrane (certain substances can pass through but not others) to form a less concentrated solution then you started with. The inside of the membrane looks like so: Some of the things an RO membrane can filter out are: Lead Copper...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[AZMSGT]

You can put a T fitting just prior to the DI portion of the filtration system and feed a drinking water storage tank. BRS sells a drinking water kit that you can add to any RODI system. It works well, I run it. You get the RO water but no DI. Very easy to implement.

Add-On Faucet Kit

This Add-On Faucet Kit is necessary to set up your reverse osmosis unit to supply drinking water on demand. The BRS Add-On Faucet Kit includes everything needed to bypass the DI (deionization) stage and add a pressurized tank and faucet to your reverse osmosis system. The pressurized tank...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[Reefs and Geeks]

You can put a T fitting just prior to the DI portion of the filtration system and feed a drinking water storage tank. BRS sells a drinking water kit that you can add to any RODI system. It works well, I run it. You get the RO water but no DI. Very easy to implement.

Add-On Faucet Kit

This Add-On Faucet Kit is necessary to set up your reverse osmosis unit to supply drinking water on demand. The BRS Add-On Faucet Kit includes everything needed to bypass the DI (deionization) stage and add a pressurized tank and faucet to your reverse osmosis system. The pressurized tank...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

This is what I do and has worked great for a few years now. I put a Tee after the RO filter and one line goes to a check valve then supplies my drinking water tank. The other line goes through my DI canister and to my RODI storage for the reef. Never had an issue with the drinking water or the reef's RODI water this way.

 

[NanoSteam]

I've been wanting to do this so I can fill my 5 gallon water dispenser jug at home. So is the consensus that it's safe to put a T-tap + valve before the DI resin and make drinking water that way? Do we need to worry about adding minerals back into the water?

 

[Mark Allan]

Where are you located and what is your water supply?

Wiarton Ontario Canada and water source is Colopys Bay mechanical filtration then UV light then distilled. But now looking for replacing my 35 year old distiller.