What stage RODI unit ?

MrDLHughesY · Oct 4, 2020

My tap water has a TDS of 75 so what stage rodi system would you suggest ?

Redfoxtang · Oct 4, 2020

Wow that’s super low. Mine is around 350 but it’s also city water with chlorine. I think just about any RODI unit will work for you depending on your budget. I have AquaFX and they are good. To me though they are all the same at the end of the day water through filter, then DI. Like I said though just depends on budget. BRS has nice ones as well.

Jseimo · Oct 4, 2020

I’d honestly say a 4-5 stage would be more than enough. my tap is about 250-300 with chloromines and high phosphate due to agriculture so I run a 7 stage brs with a booster pump

NCK · Oct 4, 2020

MrDLHughesY said:
My tap water has a TDS of 75 so what stage rodi system would you suggest ?

I envy you! My city water is 450+ TDS. A 4 stage should be sufficient. I’ve had great luck with the BRS units.

MrDLHughesY · Oct 4, 2020

Ok thanks guys

chipmunkofdoom2 · Oct 4, 2020

I'd go with a single prefilter (<1 micron if you can get it), two carbon blocks, one membrane and two DI stages. This type of set up would work for the cleanest and dirtiest tap water out there. It's unlikely that having more stages will do anything but cost more, and the extra DI/carbon will last longer to boot.

On the other hand, if your water authority changes water sources and you suddenly get dirtier water (which can happen at any time unless you're on a well), you'd be wishing you had extra stages.

KRas1014 · Oct 4, 2020

NCK said:
I envy you! My city water is 450+ TDS. A 4 stage should be sufficient. I’ve had great luck with the BRS units.

I'm in the same boat as you.. Here in the Texas panhandle, my city water is junk. It is extremely hard water and I have seen TDS readings close to 500ppm. I have the 7 stage RODI unit from BRS and go through DI resin like its my job.

NCK · Oct 4, 2020

KRas1014 said:
I'm in the same boat as you.. Here in the Texas panhandle, my city water is junk. It is extremely hard water and I have seen TDS readings close to 500ppm. I have the 7 stage RODI unit from BRS and go through DI resin like its my job.

Yeah it’s insane. I added an additional DI stage and when i see 1-2 TDS, I move the final canister upstream one position, then toss the upstream resin, and move it to the final position with new.

Saves a little bit on resin, but when you’re starting with 450-500 TDS, it’s just a fact of life haha.

Perthegallon · Oct 4, 2020

I have tap water of 300 tds and after four stages no issues so I’d say the brs 3 unit

FishTruck · Oct 4, 2020

Don't forget to check you water pressure add a booster pump if needed!

Gablami · Oct 4, 2020

Better to get more than less. I agree with @chipmunkofdoom2, but maybe get 2 membranes to save water. I have the BRS one.

KStatefan · Oct 4, 2020

I agree with @chipmunkofdoom2 but would check to see what your incoming water pressure is and get a booster pump if needed.

Gablami · Oct 4, 2020

Get the BRS version that has the water pressure and TDS meter built in. You can check the water pressure through that and install a booster pump easily if you need it.

Ippyroy · Oct 4, 2020

If your water supply has chlorines, get a 4 stage. If it has chloramines, get a 5 stage or bigger. The water saver upgrade is awesome and can be added to any normal RODI. I'd recommend not getting the RO Buddie or any other RODI unit that requires proprietary filters.
My TDS is 20 out of the tap. But that those 20 are copper, uranium, and radon. They can all climb pretty high. No chlorines nor chloramines. The number is arbitrary unless you can find out what they are.

vetteguy53081 · Oct 4, 2020

Four or 5 stage is adequate. I just got a 6 stage but I also do have multiple tanks

musicreef · Oct 4, 2020

My tap water TDS is 45-50 measured with on board TDS meter and 2 handheld meters. I don't know what is in my water supply but it is city water. I use a 4 stage RODI with the water saver added and water out of the membrane and before the DI is zero. Also the water flow is pretty fast, I make 18 gallons in about 90 minutes.