Looking into RO/DI systems, am I on the right track?
 

I've been doing a bit of reading on Reverse Osmosis and De-ionized water for my reef tank. I currently use tap water, (Yes, I am a beginner about 8 months into the hobby). I know now that if you want to seriously get into a healthy reef ecosystem you should be using RO/DI water.

So I am currently looking at the BulkReefSupply 75GPD 5 Stage Plus System. This one comes with everything I would need (I think) Including a TDS meter.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...us-system.html#

And, is this the filter replacement kit that I would purchase for this system also?
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...ilter-kit.html

I have a 55gallon tank, I'm already looking to upgrade but I live in my parents house and just don't have the space to do so, but I have been buying equipment for a slightly larger tank in the future. Anyways, is this RO/DI system a good one to go with in my case?

I think I've got the basics about these systems, and I must say theres a lot less to them than I initially thought. I was quite intimidated by the looks of them when I first heard about them. I feel a lot better now and this is actually going to make the reefing hobby easier for me :)

Anything else you guys think I should know, or any other products you guys think I should look at before I purchase this one? Thanks in Advance,
-Mandy.

EDIT: Right I forgot to add this, I've also been hearing a lot about bio-pellets. If I were to install a biopellet reactor, this would be a completely different hookup/set-up from the ro/di system right? I thought I heard someone at a LFS saying you could attach it to the RO/DI system but I kinda looked at him funny... Thinking to myself, don't you need a pump to keep the biopellets tumbling? And are you not supposed to be running tank water through the biopellet reactor, not tap water from the RO/DI unit?... Correct me if I'm wrong, but this biopellet reactor is completely separate from the RO/DI system, yes?

I good RO/DI unit is a must in most cases. I find bulk reef has great prices, but sometimes shipping can kill you. I purchased my unit from Aquasafe years ago and it still works great today. Just another option.

http://www.aquasafecanada.com/store/...-ro-di-systems

That is the system I have. I also added the flush kit, the 150 Gal per day water saving kit. The system is freakin awesome. You're on the right track buying the TDS metre and extra sediment/carbon/DI resin as well.

The best thing is BRS will put it all together for you when you order it. Their customer service is amazing and they stand behind their product. You can't go wrong.

One thing worth mentioning, you might want to buy extra hose as well as some T's and inline ball valves. I also use the mechanical float valves for my reservoirs and they work flawlessly.

Good luck with your purchase

Thanks Molotov, what exactly does the flush kit do? I've heard about it but I don't know much about it at all. Is the flush kit, Ts, hose and inline ball valves all things I can get on BRS.com?

EDIT: I just checked, the system I'm looking at purchasing actually comes with a flush kit. Did you mean you added an additional one?

The flush kit allows you to "flush" the membrane before running the system each time which will preserve the membrane and help use less of your DI resin up. Its well worth it. BRS sells these too.

The RO/DI system im looking at comes with a flush kit, so I don't have to buy a separate one right?

I have the aquasafe as well and it works great for me on my 90 gal. If you look on eBay you can purchase from them and get the package with the tds meter and all of the replacement filters for basically the same price as the brs model. Its weird that it is so much cheaper that way but it is.

I have the same unit you are looking at from BRS. The benefit of buying from them is that they really tend to back their stuff up. If you ever want to make mods to it in the future...you can count on them having the various options available. My advice would be to order several pre filters along with one spare set of filters when you order the unit. You go through pre filters the fastest and they are cheap.

if the unit you're looking at buying has a flush kit there is no need to purchase anoter one.

And if you can afford it, the 150 gpd water saver is worth it, especially if you're on a water meter. But it must have at least 65 psi or it won't work properly. If you don't have the 65 PSI you need to purchase the booster pump kit as well.

i just recieved my bulk reef supply 5 stage plus last week and i will definatley vouch for its quality and ease of use. great unit with everything you need.

What was shipping like for you? Was it outragous?

Shipping
 

I got shipping for free. I think once you spend $300+ they waive the shipping. Although I have everything shipped to my place in Montana and then bring it back across the boarder myself.

I order from BRS all the time. They're great.

Shipping is free only to US locations (like Montana). To Calgary, you are looking at $50 bucks most likely.

Hahaha sweet. I have a place in Whitefish. I'll just do that!

Yes! Shipping will be around 50.00 depending on what you are buying. You should jump on the group buy and save your self $10 on the RO/DI.

Oh nevermind I think you missed the group buy. Probably be another one next month.

I am in on the group buy already, now im just deciding what to get :)

I also live 30 mins from the US border and usually ship my online purchases to the border anyways, so I'll just do that again this time n get me some free shippin' ;)

I am also looking at getting NP reducing biopellets/biopellet reactor and a pump.
While I'm at it, should I get one of the 2 cartridge reactors for some Carbon or GFO? I don't know a whole lot about carbon or GFO so im going to read up on it right after I post this, but I value anyones personal experiences if you wish to share them.

Edit: Okay just read up a little bit about GFO and Carbon.. By the sounds of it, the BRS dual reactor for GFO and Carbon sounds like a good idea, but does that mean I still have to buy a separate reactor for NP reducing biopellets? Or do you even need to run NP reducing biopellets with Carbon and GFO? Thanks in advance for opinions/experiences.

OR! Can I get a dual reactor, put carbon/GFO in one compartment and NP reducing biopellets in the other compartment? Then I only have to buy one reactor system and one pump?! Does anyone else here run Biopellets with GFO and Carbon!?

I have the BRS dual reactor. The GFO and Carbon tumble at different rates, I don't think you would be able to combine them in one reactor and have them be effective. I do not have biopellets so can not offer any advice. If I were you, I'd set up the GFO and Carbon and see how that works for you rather than buying a bunch of equipment you may not use depending on what you are trying to achieve with your tank. I like mine and it made a noticable difference almost immediately.

They actually make a dual GFO and Carbon reactor in one canister. Thats why I was considering getting the Dual chamber reactor, and putting Biopellets in one chamber and GFO&Carbon in the other chamber. Does anyone else do this?

Allow me to chime in :-)

Why not keep the money in Canada a get free shipping to? http://www.reefsupplies.ca/online-store/RO-Units/

Ray

Shipping was free!!! I used a company out of ontario called reef waters. They are a candian distributor for a few bulk reef supply products. They have the 5 stage plus for 179 i believe and orders over 150 ship free. Shipping took about 5 business days but thats from ontario to BC. i will order with them again.

I also have the gfo/carbon reactors from BRS. They rock. I have one seperate reactor for each. It's not as effective to combine both carbon and gfo in one reactor. I don't use bio pellets either so can't comment on that.

Do they have a website?

I believe its www.reefwater.net. When you buy from this place though, are you still getting all of the benefits like warranty and such as you would if you bought straight from BRS?

yeah thats the address. it will definatley save you some money on the shipping even though their prices are about 20 bucks more than brs site. Probably get your order quicker too. I will be ordering the reactor from them when i get my new tank set up and will be ordering my replacemnet filters with them as well.