RO/DI filter

[Legal Reefer]

I'm researching RO/DI filters and trying to find something budget friendly that works. I don't want to spend the extra money to get the filter from BRS if I can get the same results from a lower priced filter from ebay. The town I live in has chloramine added to the water. Would I need a five or six stage filter with one of the stages being a block form of carbon to filter the chloramine out? Is it correct to assume that if you get a 0 reading with a TDS meter that there is no chloramine left in the water. I know some people will say you get what you pay for, but I would prefer not to pay the mark up on a filter sold by different companies if I can get something comparable at a much better price. While I do appreciate what several of these companies do for the hobby, and do buy from them, I need to price shop to stay in this hobby.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I'm researching RO/DI filters and trying to find something budget friendly that works. I don't want to spend the extra money to get the filter from BRS if I can get the same results from a lower priced filter from ebay. The town I live in has chloramine added to the water. Would I need a five or six stage filter with one of the stages being a block form of carbon to filter the chloramine out? Is it correct to assume that if you get a 0 reading with a TDS meter that there is no chloramine left in the water. I know some people will say you get what you pay for, but I would prefer not to pay the mark up on a filter sold by different companies if I can get something comparable at a much better price. While I do appreciate what several of these companies do for the hobby, and do buy from them, I need to price shop to stay in this hobby.

What I did when I first started out, was bought a 5 stage ro unit off ebay (sediment filter, two carbon blocks, ro membrane, di filter) and then later on replaced all the filters with BRS's filters. They're all pretty much interchangeable just double check the sizes of the filters for fitment.
It was something similar to this https://www.ebay.com/itm/Aquarium-R...785014?hash=item3f002b6ab6:g:Ur8AAMXQ855RxJ1b

I've since gotten rid of the sideways DI filters as they don't work, the water channels and then doesn't filter. This is what my RO setup looks like today
I've since changed out the 50 GPD membrane, and swapped it for a 75GPD membrane, and did the BRS 150 GPD upgrade Added a TDS meter, and a pressure gauge.

 

[Legal Reefer]

I was thinking this might work. I know it says 5 micron, but it also has a carbon block filter in one of the canisters. I couldn't find a listing of what all it filters out. There were no reviews on it as of yet. I have seen reviews on older versions where people were getting a O reading on TDS meter, but do not know if they had chloramine in their water before filtering.

 

[Legal Reefer]

What I did when I first started out, was bought a 5 stage ro unit off ebay (sediment filter, two carbon blocks, ro membrane, di filter) and then later on replaced all the filters with BRS's filters. They're all pretty much interchangeable just double check the sizes of the filters for fitment.

Thanks. Did you use the original until they were depleted before switching them out?

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

An RO/DI system is basically a housing for RO filters and DI resins. Almost any RO/DI system will work as long as the membrane housing and prefilter housings are standard sized, which most are. The quality of the filter included with cheap units may leave something to be desired though, so that's something you'll want to keep an eye on. It's always possible to replace the prefilters, membrane and resin after they start to go bad, but that may cost you between $50 and $100. Instead of cutting corners and buying a $99 unit off Ebay with suspect filters and replacing them, it may be better to just buy a quality unit with quality filters up front.

Personally, I would go with three prefilters and two vertical DI stages. Might be a bit excessive, but it gives you more options down the road with regard to filter configuration. Plus, the dual DI resin can be a safety net of sorts if anything does make it past the prefilters and RO membrane.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I was thinking this might work. I know it says 5 micron, but it also has a carbon block filter in one of the canisters. I couldn't find a listing of what all it filters out. There were no reviews on it as of yet. I have seen reviews on older versions where people were getting a O reading on TDS meter, but do not know if they had chloramine in their water before filtering.

The only issue with this kit (in my personal experience) is DI cartridges that sit sideways are ineffective. The water channels and doesn't get properly filtered as with a canister that stands up and down. The water is then forced to pass all the DI resin and cannot channel.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Thanks. Did you use the original until they were depleted before switching them out?

I depleted the sediment, carbon blocks, and ro membrane, but I quickly swapped out the DI after realizing it wasn't doing anything. see post above as to why

 

[don_chuwish]

I started with the simplest 5 stage 75GPD BRS one, got it on sale when there was an opportunity. Then over time I've upgraded bit by bit - 150GPD upgrade, pressure gauges, dual DI, auto flush kit, etc. If it helps to pace out the spending I think it's a valid way to go. Point being that you can start cheap but may end up spending just as much in the long run.

 

[Heart of Dixie]

Spectrapure sells a 5 stage “refurbished unit” with 2 di units. It has a pressure gauge and a tds meter. When you use up the original di units buy refillable filters and resin from BRS. Refilling them is easy and you save about 50% versus pre-filled ones. You can save a lot more by not purchasing mixed resin. BRS has a video on all of this.

 

[Legal Reefer]

I found a 6 stage 75 gallon per day on eBay from oceanic that specified it has 2nd stage KDF85 / catalytic coconut shell carbon NFS components and 3rd stage Chloramine reduction coconut carbon block. It didn't specify what micron. It is being promoted specifically as a reef hobbyist filter that takes care of the chlorine/chloramine problem and extends the life of the systems membranes . I am hoping this will work good enough to give me a good water supply for now. As the filters are depleted I will try to replace with refills from BRS.

 

[krbnsol]

I have the 5 stage BRS RO/DI - Drinking Water system. Works great. If you get the 6 I think you will even be better off

 

[Legal Reefer]

I have the 5 stage BRS RO/DI - Drinking Water system. Works great. If you get the 6 I think you will even be better off

They treat our water with Chloramine, so I figured I would need the two different carbon filters to break it down. I like the BRS filter but it's 125.00 more than the Oceanic.