RODI system suggestions and storage?

[JZ199]

Hey everyone, so I've come to the realization that I will need a RODI unit. I've read up on them and how to install and use one, but everywhere has been very vague on where to get one or what type to get.

So that's my biggest question is what are some suggestions on systems that have been proven to work well, and are not too costly. Right now I'm not in the market to spend $500 on a huge 200GPD unit or anything insane, but I also don't want to spend $60-$100 on something that will stop working or break after a month of using it.

Also, when I purchase my unit, my plan was to store the water in a 55G drum in my basement most likely, is that safe to do or will the water become contaminated once again if sitting for so long, so only store what I plan on using that day or within a few days? I seen a few 50GPD units, that would be plenty for me.

 

[dbg]

I use an AquaFX Barracuda 100GPD RO/DI unit. It's set up in my garage, and I have the waste tube going through a garage vent to water the garden on the other side of the wall. The product end goes into a 32 gallon trash can w/ lid that I have sitting in the corner of the garage. I've read that trash cans made of HDPE are the best (supposedly don't leach as many chemicals, but who knows?!). Currently, I have just been letting the water sit in there for weeks... it's RO/DI, so I figure that it won't get contaminated unless I leave the lid off of the trash can. My tank has 0 nitrite, 0 nitrate, and 0 ammonia so I figure the water is ok (knock on wood!)I got my unit off of drsfostersmith.com, and I think I paid around $140.

Keep in mind that the unit doesn't produce its advertised GPD unless the temperature of the water and the water pressure are up to manufacturer standards; I started using my unit when it was still pretty cold outside, and I got hardly as much product water out of it as I do now that it is warm outside.

 

[JZ199]

Wow thanks for the helpful answer. I'll definitely look into that unit, that's not a bad price at all. I'll probably end up setting up the waste water for my garden as well lol

 

[dbg]

No problem! best of luck to you... I was surprised how much waste water the units produce, but if you've got a garden/lawn you're not really wasting it!!

 

[Jimbo662]

What size tank do you have and how often / large will your water changes be? Spending a lot more money for a 200 gpd system if you're not really taking advantage of it when you could put that money to other equipment / stock would be the way I would go.

 

[Connie]

I purchased this one and it's plenty for my 180 gallon. The replacement media is cheap too.
BRS 4 Stage Value RO/DI System - 75GPD - Bulk Reef Supply

 

[booth2010]

32 gallon brute trash cans are great for holding rodi water. I even bought a 1/2 bulk head and installed it 2/3 down from top for easy filling of just and buckets instead of taking the top off

 

[Mjpisanti]

I use an AquaFX Barracuda 100GPD RO/DI unit. It's set up in my garage, and I have the waste tube going through a garage vent to water the garden on the other side of the wall. The product end goes into a 32 gallon trash can w/ lid that I have sitting in the corner of the garage. I've read that trash cans made of HDPE are the best (supposedly don't leach as many chemicals, but who knows?!). Currently, I have just been letting the water sit in there for weeks... it's RO/DI, so I figure that it won't get contaminated unless I leave the lid off of the trash can. My tank has 0 nitrite, 0 nitrate, and 0 ammonia so I figure the water is ok (knock on wood!)I got my unit off of drsfostersmith.com, and I think I paid around $140.

Keep in mind that the unit doesn't produce its advertised GPD unless the temperature of the water and the water pressure are up to manufacturer standards; I started using my unit when it was still pretty cold outside, and I got hardly as much product water out of it as I do now that it is warm outside.

I use the same system but the 50gpd unit outside attached to the hose lol, great unit though works very well and all the water tests perfectly. My fish have seemed healthier since i switched over as well!

 

[JZ199]

Thanks everyone and @jimbo, right now I have a 55G tank and do around 20% water changes, and have to top off a little bit every few days or around a week

 

[AZDesertRat]

The average reef quality RO/DI uses a 75 GPD Dow Filmtec RO membrane. The advantage of the 75 over a 50 or less is it takes much less time to make the same amount of water so less standing around worrying about a bucket or jug overflowing and having a faucet tied up for hours on end. Cost is usualy the same or within $5, physical size is the same, it uses the same replacement filters and DI and it wastes the same. There is no advantage to a 50 GPD or less.

My suggestions are Spectrapure which takes a Dow 75 GPD and specially treats it to improve the performance and calls it a 90 GPD, Buckeye Hydro which also uses the 75 GPD Dow or PurelyH2o which again uses the Dow 75. All have reef quality RO/DI systems starting at around $140 that would fit your needs exactly.

 

[reeffirstaid]

I have an Aquatic Life unit, that I don't think they make any longer. Although, I've heard they make this unit RO Buddie | Aquatic Life - that is inexpensive, has an optional DI add on, and performs well.

 

[Spyrule]

I would focus a little less on the GPD, and more on controlling the rodi for ato. That is where the beauty of one of these lies.

Ato for ro/di to holding tank, and then ato to aquarium. Had that setup for 9 years and its been rock solid.

Suggestion, tap in an overflow near the top of the rodi holding bucket that drains to your house drain. Prevents floods if rodi controller fails open.

 

[Spyrule]

Also, if your worried about water quality, most local plastics companies have food grade tanks you can buy that have zero leeching.

 

[Mercurio]

I purchased this one and it's plenty for my 180 gallon. The replacement media is cheap too.
BRS 4 Stage Value RO/DI System - 75GPD - Bulk Reef Supply

I have the same one except I have the plus system. I also bought the 150 GPD upgradehttp://aquarium.bulkreefsupply.com/search?w=brs 150 gpd water saver upgrade kit. IMO the extras are pretty much necessary.

 

[JZ199]

Thanks everyone, I've read a lot about all them that you mentioned and have pretty much decided on what to get ... I was just browsing around online though and came across this... For $75-$100 do you's believe it's worth it? It had all pretty good reviews...

 

[R&J_Mako]

We have a small 28 gallon tank and it sure needs RODI water changes and top off. Would it be best to get it from the LFS?
or can we even trust the LFS for RODI water?

 

[booth2010]

Most lfs rodi units are 5+ stages so you can trust them. The unit at my lfs is a 10 stage so it's about as close to perfect as possible. They make ro units for people to buy so they have all the filters and junk and replace them often

 

[Jlobes]

Spectra pure.

 

[SABOB]

Buckeye Hydro 100 gpd, Russ is awesome to deal with