RO Unit Help

[SpeshulEd]

For those out there using RO Units, just curious what size you're using, brand, experience with them, etc? I'm new to the whole idea and am just looking for a place to start.

I'm assuming with an RO unit, I could forgo using Prime...allowing me to ultimately set up a drip system for constant water changes.

I've been using 2L jugs of Pond Prime, but still go through one of those in about 3 months. At $40 a pop, that adds up after awhile.

I saw an RO unit yesterday at costco for $200. In a year it could almost be paid for and it'd be well worth the money if I could set up an automatic drip on my tank.

 

[nolapete]

Whichever brand you buy, get the 75 gpd. The membranes are very much cheaper and the output is much greater than any other size.

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157585 see this thread on Aquaria Central for more info.

 

[Tigerdat]

I have an RO unit that I purchased off Ebay several years ago. The problem with RO water is that is is too pure. So you need to add some minerals back into the water. I used to mix 20% tap with 80% RO for my pleckos. I now keep Central American fish or African fish so I don't need soft water. I currently use a high quality drinking water filters to fill my tanks, they can filter out chlorine, pesticides, lead and other heavy metals. I change the filters about every 6 months.

 

[jcardona1]

if the purpose of this is just to set up an auto water changer, i would think you dont need a full RO unit. check out my recent thread on this same subject.

all you really need is a chlorine/chloramine filter, as this is what the Prime is for. the filter uses granular activated carbon to remove chlorine/chloramine and they go for about $62.

either way, a good site to check out is www.thefilterguys.com they have everythign you need, whether it be RO or just a chloramine filter. i just ordered one a few days ago. waiting for it to show up so i can get my water changer going

 

[mdb_talon]

I've been using 2L jugs of Pond Prime, but still go through one of those in about 3 months. At $40 a pop, that adds up after awhile.

If I assume you are using recommended dosage that is 20k gallons every 3 months. That is over 200 gallons a day. If you are legitimately going through that much then you gonna need several ro units !

As for me I am using this one.
http://cgi.ebay.com/AQUA-REEF-RO-DI...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2eaa7ffd9d


I only use for my saltwater tanks because for my cichlids I dont want "pure" water and tapwater with prime is much more efficient. Unless you have abysmal water quality or are breeding discus or something I think it would be hard to justify using ro on a cost basis.

If you are going through 200 gallons a day the wastewater alone from an ro unit is going to cost you as much as the Prime you are using to treat tapwater with. If the intend is the automatic drip I agree with others a chlorine filter is a much better option.

 

[jcardona1]

sorry i think the link i posted is wrong. its .biz not .com. anywho, here's what i purchased:


http://www.thefilterguys.biz/chloramine_filters.htm

$62.00 - DUAL STAGE CATALYTIC GRANULAR ACTIVATED CARBON FILTER TWO STAGE SYSTEM FOR BEST CHLORAMINE FILTERING

INCLUDES TWO CLEAR 10" HOUSINGS, TWO REFILLABLE CARTRIDGES, PREMIUM GRADE CATALYTIC GRANULAR ACTIVATED CARBON INCLUDED, QUICK FITTINGS, AND SIX FEET OF 1/4" TUBING. THIS IS DESIGNED TO BE USED AS A PRE FILTER ADD ON TO YOUR RO MEMBRANE AND DI CANISTER FOR CHLORAMINE REDUCTION.

 

[SpeshulEd]

If I assume you are using recommended dosage that is 20k gallons every 3 months. That is over 200 gallons a day. If you are legitimately going through that much then you gonna need several ro units !

As for me I am using this one.
http://cgi.ebay.com/AQUA-REEF-RO-DI...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2eaa7ffd9d


I only use for my saltwater tanks because for my cichlids I dont want "pure" water and tapwater with prime is much more efficient. Unless you have abysmal water quality or are breeding discus or something I think it would be hard to justify using ro on a cost basis.

If you are going through 200 gallons a day the wastewater alone from an ro unit is going to cost you as much as the Prime you are using to treat tapwater with. If the intend is the automatic drip I agree with others a chlorine filter is a much better option.

The concentration on pond prime reads differently on the bottle when comparing to regular prime. However, thats because a pond is normally outside. I've read in the past (can't find a source at the moment) that even when using pond prime, you should still use the dosage of regular prime in the home aquarium. I just buy pond prime because its cheaper than normal prime and is easier to find in larger jugs. A 50% water change on a 450g tank, once a week, equals roughly 15 capfuls. That adds up over time.

I change out about 400g a week at the moment on all my tanks. However, I went through more when my large tank was new, which I never factored in...still, it seems some kind of filtration system would be better than constantly adding prime.

 

[jcardona1]

still, it seems some kind of filtration system would be better than constantly adding prime.

you should read my posts

 

[SpeshulEd]

if the purpose of this is just to set up an auto water changer, i would think you dont need a full RO unit. check out my recent thread on this same subject.

you mean this one:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=298789

I'll read that over in a second. Also, thanks for the link on the filter you're using.

And thanks everyone for the links. I have some reading to do. I have one bottle of prime left, so I have a little time to get this sorted out, but not much.

 

[mdb_talon]

I dont use the 2L bottles or anything marked as for pond use so was not aware any difference. I know my 500ml bottle for $12 lasts 5k gallons at suggested dosage. With an RO you gonna spend more than that on filters and end up with water that is less than ideal for most fish before even adding in the cost of all the wasted water.

I not sure of the cost of the chlorine replacement filters, but assume that is a much much better alternative than RO.