Thoughts on this product

kiwis · Dec 20, 2018

There isn't much info on this product online but from a Facebook post I came across someone is saying the water is 2TDS?

Any thoughts on this unit from what we can tell, it's very affordable.

https://www.pumpstore.co.nz/portabl...sNHXmFygWYG6GjXczm8N647bCF5ohmvYnDN6IshSdykQY

T-5unsystem · Dec 20, 2018

Do you live in New Zealand (guessing yes given your screen name)? Its pretty basic but would do the job. The filters are disposable not replaceable so long term its going to cost you more than just buying a proper or normal unit to begin with.

Flippers4pups · Dec 20, 2018

The problem I see is with the DI resin cartridge. Looks like you need to buy their cartridge.

I personally want to see my DI resin changing to have a idea when to change it. The other is TDS. You need to add one or use a hand held one. For around another $50 you could have a entry level RO/DI unit that is easier to use and maintain. JMTCW

dantimdad · Dec 20, 2018

Flippers4pups said:
The problem I see is with the DI resin cartridge. Looks like you need to buy their cartridge.

I personally want to see my DI resin changing to have a idea when to change it. The other is TDS. You need to add one or use a hand held one. For around another $50 you could have a entry level RO/DI unit that is easier to use and maintain. JMTCW

Agreed.

I got the RO buddy with DI for $56 shipped on Amazon.

I got a TDS meter for under $20.

kiwis · Dec 23, 2018

I'll be making about 20L (6 gallons) a week. It says it last for 6 months but given I'll be using it much less do you think it would be okay and last longer?

Also it's 3 stages, I've seen many 5 stages, what the are missing stages? how important are they?

Flippers4pups · Dec 23, 2018

Depending on your local water supply company, they add chlorine or chloramine's as a disinfectant. Extra carbon blocks help remove most of it. The DI resin removes the rest.

rkpetersen · Dec 23, 2018

Flippers4pups said:
The problem I see is with the DI resin cartridge. Looks like you need to buy their cartridge.

Which is even less exciting if you prefer to buy resin in bulk and pack your own DI cartridges.

@kiwis, the first stage is typically a sediment filter. This removes larger stuff like tiny grains of sand, and turns brown with use. The second (and possible third) stage is a carbon filter. The carbon filter removes volatile organics from the water, as well as chloramine if your water supply contains them. Especially if you have chloramine, 2 carbon filters is a good idea. The next stage is the RO membrane (some people have two). The next stage (or two stages) is deionizing resin. So you can see that the minimum number of stages you want is 4, with there actually being no maximum. I have 5 with low-TDS no-chloramine incoming water; some people have 6 or 7.

rkpetersen · Dec 23, 2018

kiwis said:
There isn't much info on this product online but from a Facebook post I came across someone is saying the water is 2TDS?

You really can't get a number from someone else's experience unless they're on the exact same water supply as you. And with any system, you should aim for 0 TDS product water whenever possible, and especially with all new filter elements.