RO Systems...where to start?

alyak06 · Jul 8, 2013

Hello,

We are new to the hobby (just started our quarantine tanks yesterday), and we are looking for an RO system to purchase for future use. To start we purchased 25 gallons on premixed saltwater from a local petstore, but we want a more permanent, reliable option. RO water is difficult, if not impossible, to find in our city. We live in an apartment, so we're looking for an RO system we can hook up to our sink. Our display tank is 45 gallons, but we are aiming for a 125 gallon tank once we get established in the hobby (& a new home). Where should we start to get the most bang for our buck?

Joker79 · Jul 8, 2013

Spectrapure refurb 90 gpd unit for 130.00!!! Can't go wrong!!!

Diesel · Jul 8, 2013

buckeyefieldsupply.com,

Rush is the best, he walks you through all what your needs are.

Pumbooris · Jul 8, 2013

Check out www.thefilterguys.biz the owner Jim knows his stuff and has always stopped what he was doing to help me with any questions ive had over the phone or email.

zladson · Jul 8, 2013

Buckeyes website is a bit sketchy to me. Although the price compared to BulkReef is about 30 bucks cheaper after shipping.

joeyhatch11 · Jul 8, 2013

Got and LOVE my Spectrapure refurb. Really don't know why its a refurb. It looks brand new and is so awesome.

AZDesertRat · Jul 8, 2013

My choices in order are Spectrapure, Buckeye Field Supply and PurelyH2o. I wouldn't even consider others as their systems are average at best and some are ebay quality with little knowledgable support. Several have gotten into the business to make a quick buck and have no knowledge of RO or RO/DI.

The $130 system from Spectrapure is as good as they get with an absolute rated sediment filter, a 1 micron 12,000 gallon carbon block, a specially treated and batch tested 90 GPD high rejection rate RO membrane(not a dry untreated and untested off the shelf membrane which most supply), custom blended in house reef specific DI resin, an inline pressure gauge and a capillary tube flow restrictor backed by a company in Tempe AZ for over 28 years with the best reputation and support in the industry bar none.

The $169 Premium BFS-161 system from Buckeye is almost as good and includes things like a thermometer, a handheld TDS meter and a DI bypass valve so you can use RO only water for things like drinking and cooking which makes it much easier to justify the purchase when you consider the savings in plastic bottles of drinking water. Buckeye has also been around for many years in Ohio and Russ is very knowledgable on the subject

The Optima series from PurelyH2o are also very good quality systems with several options to choose from in the same price range as the others.

alyak06 · Jul 8, 2013

Thank you for all the tips everyone!

fasteddie7 · Jul 10, 2013

I would also look into AquaFx. Made in the USA!

MadBrad527 · Jul 10, 2013

I have to give Bulk Reef Supply the vote on this one; got my 4-stage Value Plus RODI system last night and it's doing a fantastic job. All the reviews online recommend this one as well. Not trying to be Mr BRS salesman here, but everything about BRS has always gone well with me. Very well-ran company and customer support as a whole. Never ran into an issue with them. In regards to my RODI system, it is a little pricy but well worth it. All you have to do is hook it up to a water source, flush it out for an hour, and then it's good to go. No initial installations or the like.

My $0.02

AZDesertRat · Jul 10, 2013

BRS is a great company but their RO stuff is run of the mill, average stuff and you can find better prices if all you are lookig for is average. The ones I mentioned are above average in that they research things and build systems with only the best components, not average. Does BRS supply 1 micron or smaller sediment filters to protect the carbon block? Do they provide absolute rated sediment filters which are much more efficient than nominal rated filters? Is their carbon block a 0.5 or 0.6 micron, 20,000 gallon or 1.0 micron, 12,000 gallon one or is it a 5 micron maybe 6,000 gallon variety? Do they custom blend all their DI resin for maximum performance and lifespan so it costs you less to make water? Do they use the much better capillary tube flow restrictors you yourself adjust for an exact waste ratio versus the fixed type that are rarely correct and cannot be adjusted to fit your unique conditions? Do they treat and test their RO membranes which is proven to improve their performance and cost you less in DI replacements?

There really is a difference and you can get a much better system from any of the three I mentioned before. Not to knock them, I love and have a closet full of their chemicals but their RO is mediocre and nothing special. Being you are in Ohio, I would have gone with a local vendor, Buckeye Field Supply, and gotten much more for my $169 with their BFS-161 Premium system.

zladson · Jul 12, 2013

So the $130 system from Spectrapure is a refurb. Any complaints with the refurb system? I am a little nervous that in a year i will be spending another 170 for a non refurb.

AZDesertRat · Jul 12, 2013

Everyone I have seen post coments is extremely pleased with them and most say they look brand new with no scratches or scuffs at all. The membrane, filters and resin are all brand new and fresh, its the housings that may have a mark on them.