Ro Units

[plectastic]

The amount of different RO units on offer is daunting and frankly just leaving me confused.

I want an RO unit with DI that doesn't need mounting to a wall or any rubbish as I want to be able to store it away till I need it.

It'll be primarily for filling my new 280L marine tank then after will be used for water changes so will need to be a medium sort of model and I'm not looking to spend over £100 really.

Anyone got any personal experience?

 

[TwoTankAmin]

I do, I use a 3 stage portable 75 gpd ro/di unit. I bought it with the garden hose screw on adapter and the other hoses already attached. I have the utility sink in my fish space with a faucet I changed to have a male hose end so I can screw either a length of hose or the ro/di unit input to it.
 
Unfortunately I am in the states. But this might help http/www.ebay.com/itm/Portable-Reef-Aquarium-Reverse-Osmosis-RO-DI-3-stage-water-filter-/270830509214?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f0ec19c9e
 
They sell it for less on their site http/afwfilters.com/portable-ro-systems/mikro-omega-3-stage-portable-aquarium-rodi-system-with-75-gpd-membrane-212.html
 
This unit needs the carbon and ro membrane replaced and it still puts out 8 ppm TDS water. When its new or I replace them it puts out 0 TDS water. I should note my tap is only 83 ppm TDS. My pH is a hair above neutral.

 

[plectastic]

Cool thanks just tested my tap water and its 320ppm on the TDS meter! My LFS's RO water is 2!

Going to buy a 75gpd d-d unit I think.

 

[DrRob]

Worth a look at places like collins, osmotics uk and the water filter man.
 
I too use a unit that's plugged onto a washing machine outlet under my sink with a hose adapter piece. All it needed was a two way splitter on the washing machine pipe (couple of quid from B&Q) and a 1/8th inch valve on the supply line.
 
edit, oh, and I beat you on tap water tds, coming in over 400. My RO goes down to about 5-6 without a DI unit.
 
What are you planning to do about cutting it back to usable water? Adding chemicals or mixing back with tap?

 

[plectastic]

Do you have to plumb them into mains? Can I get an adapter and just connect to my kitchen tap without too much bother? I've already got a mixer tap connector so a hose connector is all I'd need. The pressure is really really good and strong too.

You've lost me with the cutting back jargon sorry!

 

[DrRob]

Sorry about the jargon.
 
I have mine attached to a washing machine outlet, as I said. The bracket means that it can be hung on the back of the cupboard out of the way, and it can be removed relatively easily.
 
I meant adding things back into the RO water to make it usable. You can't keep fish in neat RO, so you need to add minerals back, some add back tap water in a ratio to get the water they want, others prefer the finer control of the choice of chemicals to add back in.

 

[plectastic]

Oh right didn't actually know that. But as in my first post, it's for my new big marine tank so it'll be mixed with salt.

As far as the outlet is concerned I'm not looking to hook it up permanently or semi permanently to any pipe work. Just a tap really. It'll be put back in a box or bag and put away. I haven't a huge house or cupboard.

 

[DrRob]

Ahhh, missed that. I see it now.
 
It would depend entirely on the tap then. If it can take a hose adaptor then it should be able to take an RO unit.