RO systems

[vander45]

just wondering what people thought of the Pure Flow 2 RO system 50 gal per day. looking into getting one thanks

 

[Gietz]

Aquasafe rodi unit is the best!!! IMO

 

[phi delt reefer]

pulp has one for sale for $100 - buy that and replace all the filters and membrane. very high quality unit and it comes with a uv unit!

 

[vander45]

how much for the filters and membrane tho

 

[Darryl_V]

Aquasafe rodi unit is the best!!! IMO

no offence but I bet that's what you bought.  actually so did I but after 6yrs of running an RO/DI in this hobby I know now that aquasafe is crap plain and simple.  Luckily a RO/DI system is only as good as it's filters and I now buy quality filters like the dow filmtec 75gpd membrane....this membrane is practically the defacto standard in the hobby.  The best rejection rates at 50psi and good life.  Next you need quality sediment and carbon filters.....also Nuclear grade DI. 

Personally I'm gonna recommend getting onto a BRS group buy and getting the PLUS system.  No extra's and frills...just quality and bang for the buck at $180.  http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/reverse-osmosis-filters-and-systems/reverses-osmosis-deionization-systems/standard-ro-di-systems/75-gpd-ro-di-5-stage-plus-system.html

The matrikx filters, dow membrane and nuclear grade resin makes this a winner (remeber ro/di is only as good as the filters) and it also comes with the dual tds and pressure gauge that are MUST haves in order to run your ro/di correctly.

 

[shayneh]

Gonna stand up for the Aqua Safe here. For most starting out I personally don't think there is a huge difference so long as the end result is the same. 0TDS is 0TDS and the plus side is aqua safe is a Canadian company and ships for about $12.00. There is nothing that says the membrane and resin can't be switched after the fact as requirements/personal preferences change. Dual input TDS meters are anywhere from $20-30/ea so you could add as many as you wanted (again as required/preferred).

I would rather see people buying Aqua Safe units even just for the bones of the system instead of some of the other units for sale at some of the larger chain water stores and LFS for double the price that don't accept standard cartridges and will never provide 0TDS. 

I used to run an Aqua Safe too and never had issues and no I don't work for them...LOL!

 

[Gietz]

Gonna stand up for the Aqua Safe here. For most starting out I personally don't think there is a huge difference so long as the end result is the same. 0TDS is 0TDS and the plus side is aqua safe is a Canadian company and ships for about $12.00. There is nothing that says the membrane and resin can't be switched after the fact as requirements/personal preferences change. Dual input TDS meters are anywhere from $20-30/ea so you could add as many as you wanted (again as required/preferred).

I would rather see people buying Aqua Safe units even just for the bones of the system instead of some of the other units for sale at some of the larger chain water stores and LFS for double the price that don't accept standard cartridges and will never provide 0TDS. 

I used to run an Aqua Safe too and never had issues and no I don't work for them...LOL!

that a boy!!!!!! lol  AQUA SAFE  and to be honest one of the best deals on the market. 

 

[Blob-79]

I understand and definitly agree with what darryl is saying. But I also have to defend the aquasafe. I also have one and use it. if you buy the full kit, you get 2 years worth of filters, and if you subtract the cost of the filters you get the whole unit +tds meter, for like $80.i dont care if I have to change out more often. As already mentioned, 0tds is 0tds.

Now I also have to say, when it does come time to buy filters and/or membranes I will be going to BRS.

As far as im concerned its the biggest bang for the buck.

 

[Darryl_V]

I'm probably the only one on this thread that has used BOTH and I'm saying I would never go back to aquasafe.  I've also probably been using a RO/DI longer than anyone on this thread....at least for aquarium use.  And trust me its not cause I got money to burn.......I think the better value is in quality here.  For example a true depth sediment filter will last way longer than the one aquasafe sells.  Also granular carbon and charcoal carbon will last a fraction of what the matrikx filters will.....with poor results from the aquasafe prefilters you will burn through the membrane faster.  Also the membrane they sell won't give you near the rejection rate that the dow filmtec does.....which means you are burning through your DI like crazy.....oh and the DI is not as good too.....so more and more of that.

Trust me....I've done the research...I've used both.....and I've lived in 3 different cities with very different water. 

In London with the proper set up you should be getting 0-1tds out of the membrane and your DI will last a very very long time.  All the quality filters will last longer....so its not more expensive. 

Oh and about the Canadian thing.  Yes its a Canadian shell company which is probably one dude selling a bunch of stuff made in China.  Where as the matrikx and dow stuff is made in the usa.

 

[Blob-79]

absolutly the brs cartidges are better quality.

but at the same time, if you look at the last thread about rodi, our tds reading at each stage are very similar. My readings were with aging filters as well. I dont go thru di resin fast, in fact i havent had to change it yet. The Di resin they supply Is Nuclear grade colour changing DI resin. they even provide bags of it for refills.

I know in the past aquasafe put out a inferior unit, but honestly I couldnt be happier with my purchase. I have used different rodi systems as well. and have been using them for many years as well.

 

[Darryl_V]

The website doesnt say nuclear grade. http://www.aquasafecanada.com/parts/diresinread.html

Also when I had aquasafe in london I was lucky to get 6ppm out of the membrane...mostly I say 8-10ppm.  With new dow filmtec membrane and better prefilters I was getting 0ppm out of the membrane.

 

[partydiver]

The website doesnt say nuclear grade. http://www.aquasafecanada.com/parts/diresinread.html

It is bright green u can tell, I just set mine up.

It says right here it changes colour:
However it will be necessary to cease water production shortly prior to complete color change if highest quality water is essential. Generally water with conductivity between 5-30 TDS is obtained when the green color finally disappears.

 

[Darryl_V]

Nuclear grade is the quality.  You can get non colour changing nuclear grade.....

 

[Neopimp]

I second BRS plus   And yes its what I have

Auto shut off, tds meter, all the hook ups you will ever need.. lots of extra tubing..back flushing ( not Auto but still )

no leaks .. 0 tds almost right after hookup.