Good, cheap RO/DI unit that works well with low water pressure?

[ab420]

Am I dreaming? Does such a magnificent device exist?

I don't have very good water pressure at all, and I will need to install it as a portable device, and not plumb it in directly. The water here is not that bad, so it does not need to be the best unit in the world. It just needs to be able to handle low pressure, and hopefully not cost too much.

I work from home, so if it takes 6 hours to make 5 gallons, that's not a big deal.

If such a device does not exist... does anyone know anywhere near Northborough that sells RO/DI water?

Thanks in advance!

 

[JohnK]

You can get booster pumps to help with low pressure.

Otherwise the guts are pretty much the same few options regardless of what brand the filter is. You can get some pretty lousy internals and save a few $'s, but in the end your best bet is just to get a quality unit in the first place. www.airwaterice.com is a great supplier.

 

[JayM]

What John said. In the interim, I generally keep between 50 and 100 gallons of RODI made up, and I'm in Marlboro if you're in a pinch.

 

[ab420]

Something like this?
http://www.airwaterice.com/product/...II_with_DI_Bypass_Assembly_and_TDS_Meter.html

 

[nichols]

This one's still for sale. http://www.bostonreefers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=57287

 

[ab420]

This one's still for sale. http://www.bostonreefers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=57287

That's a nice deal too... if it's still around when I get some money together I'll snatch that up for sure!

 

[nichols]

If you need any water in the meantime, I keep 35- 70 gals on hand and can make 100 gal per day.

 

[ab420]

Thanks, I appreciate that!

Can anyone explain total dissolved solids to me a little?

Do TDS add to nitrates and phosphates?

The water quality where I live is considered very good.

Nitrates <.005
Nitrites <.005
Phosphates <.003

The TDS averages around 60ppm, but has been anywhere from 35 to 114ppm.

I only keep softies and some LPS, do I really need a RO/DI system? Is 60ppm TDS too much?

 

[Mini4x]

I have this setup and so do a few other people I know..

110 GPD

Under $100 TDs output 0ppm..

http://cgi.ebay.com/AQUARIUM-2-110G...hZ002QQcategoryZ20756QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

TDS stand for Total Dissolved Solids, could be most anything, mostly metals, salts and such.. which you take out to add in the proper amounts to make "salt water" Read on:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solids

 

[delta]

For increasing RO output you can heat the incoming water from your well to 78degrees. Take a 20 foot coil of RO tubing and put it on the incoming water line. Throw the coil in a bucket with with water and a heat set to 78degree.

Adding a pressure pumps works as well but RO membranes are rated at 78degrees and aroun 50-60psi depending on the membrane. So to get optimum output you want to be as close to the numbers as possible

TDS is basically anything that is disolved in the water your shooting for 0 TDS

 

[delta]

Something like this?
http://www.airwaterice.com/product/...II_with_DI_Bypass_Assembly_and_TDS_Meter.html

Problem with this unit is it uses a none standard DI filter, so you can't just buy a standard 10"DI filter. I would choose a unit that has all standard 10" filters.

 

[Liam]

these are a nice unit
http://www.airwaterice.com/product/1TYPHOON/Typhoon_5_stage_RODI_Reefkeeper_75_GPD.html

 

[Mini4x]

Problem with this unit is it uses a none standard DI filter, so you can't just buy a standard 10"DI filter. I would choose a unit that has all standard 10" filters.

The repalcement DI is also only $19 though.

I also like this idea and will upgrade to this when I need to repalce mi DI Resin..
http://cgi.ebay.com/DI-210-Heavy-du...hZ002QQcategoryZ46310QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

And htey have a booster pump..
http://cgi.ebay.com/Aquatec-Permeat...hZ002QQcategoryZ20756QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem