Kenmore Ro Unit

[mpatterson]

Would an RO system from Kenmore work for our hobby or do I need to invest in one made specifically for our hobby. Sears has a few Kenmore Drinking water systems that hook up to your plumbing, but they do not have any DI mentioned as being part of the system.

I would like to add this to make water changes easier, and I have an infant son that would benefit from this also.

Any suggestions would help greatly appreciated.

The Kenmore I saw was the Kenmore 350, 3 cartridge system.

Thanks in advance.

Mike

 

[crazyelece]

I used a GE system meant for drinking water for my RO. I found two drawbacks and one advantage. The advantage was a storage container inline with the system which was great to use to be able to make a bunch of water on demand. The downside is the membrane was only rated at 10 gal a day and it took me over two weeks to initially fill my 120 gal tank. After this I realised if anything were to happen that I would need a bunch of water fast, it wouldn't be there and my livestock could be in serious jepordy. Also as you mentioned it didn't have a DI attached and I wasn't getting the purest water. It did still get it down to about 9-14 ppm tds which is pretty good. I have since added a 75 gal/day membrane, the matching restrictor valve, a larger storage tank, and a DI filter. For what I have paid for this setup I could have bought the best 6 stage RO/DI on the market, had it shipped from overseas, next day air. IMO buy a decent RO/DI from ebay or other similar source and you will be happier in the end. And you can still hook it up to your drinking water. Just be sure to T it off before the DI for drinking water as it is better for you to drink this as opposed to the purer DI water.

However I should add if your tank is smaller than it may be cheaper and a better fit. With the advise from a friend I try to keep half my tank volume in storage, and be able to get the other half within 24 hours, in case any kind of emergency arrises in my tank.

 

[mpatterson]

Thanks for the reply with your experiences. Exactly the kind of info I was looking for.

I have a 46g bowfront that is currently a FOWLR setup. I have ambitions to one day have soft corals, but time isn't on my side right now with the newborn. I have high phosphates in my tap and I am constanlty running out for distilled top off and distilled baby water for formula. Trying to kill two birds with one stone.

Can't fault a guy for trying. Any other experiences out there.

Thanks.

Mike

 

[steelhealr]

Sure...I'm not a plumber and wanted a systems strictly for my aquarium. So....I keep mine 'portable'. I bought a six filter AquaSafe system off of Ebay with a faucet adapter and garden hose adapter. It was only about $80 on Ebay. It works fine and my last TDS (total dissolved solids) was only 0-1 which is almost pure.

The tank is unnecessary if you want to save a few dollars as you would be making the water directly into a bucket. If you plan to plumb it under your sink, a storage tank would be advantageous. Home Depot has some systems that they install as well. I've read on some posts that the RO membran is not the best in these systems, but, it seems to be doing very well by me. Since my early startup, I have not had an algae blooms, phosphates have always tested 0. SH