RO SYSTEM or BUYING RO

[DiverDude]

My TDS is about 130 in NW Calgary.

I have a 35 gal setup presently and just getting the tank up and running the first month of water changes cost me something like $80 in jugs of water.

Before you buy a single jug of water, go and buy an RO/DI system. The longer you wait, the more $ you'll waste on buying water. RO systems aren't that expensive and even a $300 system will pay for itself in a reasonable period (depending, of course, on your tank size / water needs).

I also use mine to replace the Culligan service I had so I'm saving even more. Add to that the convenience of not having to lug jugs to the store and it's a no-brainer.

[The Grizz]

Get an RO unit for sure, from what I have read about most larger cities the water supply really goes to crap in the spring with all the melting run off so the cities dump more chemicals into there systems to make it consumable. I have a whole house RO system & when the wife & I go any where & have a glass of water the taste of it really makes me wish I was at home.

[MMAX]

Just wondering for all those in Alberta, where's the best place to buy pre-filters, RO membranes and DI filters?

[Lysa.anne]

I got my 3 stage one from Filter Direct. We have it as a stand alone though, there's also no tank with it. But it does the job.

[brianlow]

I just bought a Buckeye Field Supply 75 gph RO/DI unit. $250 shipped with all the fittings to hook up to the water supply. Some info:
http://www.reefcentral.org/forums/sh....php?t=1280759

I think lugging RO water from the store will get old really fast, especially when you need to do a large water change to solve a problem.

I think at least one fish store in Calgary uses conditioned tap water (maybe it was just a rumor). It might be an option though I suspect not many people would recommend it. Are there any tanks of the month from Calgary using tap water?