Should I get a Rodi unit?

Fish_Tank_J · Mar 19, 2019

I have a 75 gallon mixed reef and a 32 gallon bio cube. I have been getting some hair algae in my 75 gallon aquarium and wondered if I used rodi water if it would help the algae from growing? Also, if I should get one which one would you recommend?

NanoJimmy · Mar 19, 2019

Definitely would invest in a RODI unit. I've been using a six stage BRS one for a while and have no complaints. What water source are you using?

Crabs McJones · Mar 19, 2019

Absolutely! An RO/DI unit in my opinion is one of the best pieces of equipment you can own for a reef tank. Straight tap water can contain many different elements, including ammonia, nitrate and even phosphate!

and even heavy metals such as lead, tin and copper. An RO/DI unit ensures you're getting pure water with no additional elements that algae can feed off of into your reef.

What type is going to depend on your source water. If you have unusually high TDS water you'll want to go with something 5 stage or above. If you have low TDS water a standard 4 stage would suffice.
Me i'm currently running a 7 stage, but we have really dirty water.

hdsoftail1065 · Mar 19, 2019

Perfect expamples of why are already provided. Yes recommended! Running a 4 stage for our 144 and 32 Biocube, we are at the other end of the spectrum where our water isn't to bad. You can probably pull a water report for your town/city online, unless your on a well.

cracker · Mar 19, 2019

Hey Fish That would be an excellent investment .

WVNed · Mar 19, 2019

Yes, you should get one.

KrisReef · Mar 19, 2019

What is the TDS of your tap water? If you have good well water you might not need it.
Our city water is like +350 TDS with chloramine and all kinds of crud spewing out of the pipes. It dissolves faucets. Really.

Get a 4 stage filter, (at least)
5(?) micron mechanical pre-filter (sediment filter)
5 micron carbon filter (chloramine/chlorine removal protects the ro membrane)
R/O filter (rated for the amount of water you need)
DI filter to remove remaining ions

I have 2 DI filters, it makes resin use a little more efficient.

Some folks swear by different RO membrane mfgr.

Also, if your water pressure is low you might need a booster pump to raise the water pressure up above 60 PSI according to the RO membrane specifications. Most house pressure is regulated to 60psi or less.

Get one with refillable DI resin canisters, but avoid proprietary units that only the mfgr makes replacements. You'll go broke buying replacements. Buy replacement resin as you go, it has a shelf life. GL

samnaz · Mar 19, 2019

It really depends on the quality of your tap water. There is most likely a water quality report for your city available online. That will give you an idea what’s in your tap water. Check that out and test your tap TDS if you can, before investing in a RODI. It’s unlikely but still possible your tap water could be of acceptable quality, I’m lucky enough to live in a city with very clean tap water... but I’m one of few. Just my two cents ;-)

MrObscura · Mar 19, 2019

Yes.

BRS units and spectra pure seem to be the top 2.

Fish_Tank_J · Mar 19, 2019

NanoJimmy said:
Definitely would invest in a RODI unit. I've been using a six stage BRS one for a while and have no complaints. What water source are you using?

I have be using tap with a water purifier.

Fish_Tank_J · Mar 19, 2019

samnaz said:
It really depends on the quality of your tap water. There is most likely a water quality report for your city available online. That will give you an idea what’s in your tap water. Check that out and test your tap TDS if you can, before investing in a RODI. It’s unlikely but still possible your tap water could be of acceptable quality, I’m lucky enough to live in a city with very clean tap water... but I’m one of few. Just my two cents ;-)

My TDS is 105

tautog83 · Mar 19, 2019

An rodi unit in my opinion is one of the most important pieces of equipment . Yes buy one

ccombs · Mar 19, 2019

I would highly recommend it! I am one of the few (it seems) that uses the Aquatic Life 4 Stage Twist In Unit. I absolutely love it and think it has a much better design than others. However! You are limited to using their proprietary cartridges and are unable to use different micron filters as other systems allow. For what I am doing I think it is the perfect solution.