Buying RO / DI - I know nothing

[Myka]

You do know that RO/DI water isn't suitable for drinking, right? You have to unhook the DI part to just get RO for drinking, and buy the drinking water add-on. You can buy a pressure tank so you get RO water on demand, then just hook up the DI part when you want to make water for your reef. Or you can just use the 20 litre jugs (which are actually 5g, not 6).

Since you're in Surrey, your tap water won't be too bad, so you should look for a 4 stage. One each (in order); sediment, carbon, RO, DI. Imo brands really don't matter much, but the better brands are less breakable as they use better components for their fittings and housings. The cartridges should all be a standard size, so you don't have to worry about the brand of cartridges too much. I wouldn't buy anything less than 50 gpd otherwise it takes a long time to fill up a 5g jug. There will be a flow restrictor in the lines somewhere and it's rating needs to match the RO cartridge's rating. If you decide you want to upgrade to faster you just replace the flow restrictor (cheap), and get a matching RO cartridge when you do your first filter changes. 100 gpd units are less efficient and you will end up burning up your DI quicker. You can buy an optional flush kit (about $15-20) that will flush your RO membrane which is supposed to lengthen the life of the RO membrane. Some people think they work, others don't. I figure for $15, might as well try. The longer and more often you flush the better (like say flush for 2-3 mins after every use).

Bulk Reef Supply has some great RO/DI units that start at $189 I think and they use good fittings and housings. I have an AquaFX Barracuda 4-stage and I am very happy with it...the price has gone up lots in the last couple years though I think they are like $230 now when I only paid $189 for mine a year and a half ago. Generally, if you spend $200 on a 4-stage you will be getting a good quality product. Much less than that and you're buying an econo brand.

[subman]

Originally Posted by Myka

You do know that RO/DI water isn't suitable for drinking, right? You have to unhook the DI part to just get RO for drinking, and buy the drinking water add-on. You can buy a pressure tank so you get RO water on demand, then just hook up the DI part when you want to make water for your reef. Or you can just use the 20 litre jugs (which are actually 5g, not 6).

Oh OK nevermind!

[Snaz]

Originally Posted by Myka

You do know that RO/DI water isn't suitable for drinking, right?

Hmm no I did not know this. Why would that be? Pure water is pure water no? Thank you for your reply.

[Myka]

DI water tastes like crap. It's no worse (or any different) than drinking RO or distilled water. In the end, it's all "pure" water. It's actually not good to drink any form of "pure" water as your main source of water as it lacks essential minerals for healthy living. Natural mineral water is much better for you.

[jsmth321]

I use a Aqua FX but without the DI. (Just sediment, carbon and then R/O membrane.) I decided against the DI as I get 0 TDS without it, and the water out here isn't that bad, and I have never had any issues.

[macky]

I have this one from Costco and installed it under my kitchen sink. I use it for my tank and for drinking water. http://www.costco.ca/Browse/Product....rodid=10300796

[Snaz]

Originally Posted by Myka

It's actually not good to drink any form of "pure" water as your main source of water as it lacks essential minerals for healthy living. Natural mineral water is much better for you.

Sorry but this is some old wive's tale. Water is needed by your body as a source of water, nothing else. Your minerals, salts etc. you get from your food.

The only possible consequence of drinking pure water is you miss out on the probable benefits of fluoride that the water company adds for your teeth.

[RuGlu6]

Originally Posted by Myka

DI water tastes like crap. It's no worse (or any different) than drinking RO or distilled water. In the end, it's all "pure" water. It's actually not good to drink any form of "pure" water as your main source of water as it lacks essential minerals for healthy living. Natural mineral water is much better for you.

I second that 0 ppm water is bad, if you drink DI'ed water at 0ppm you body will draw minerals from bones and blood, its not immediately lethal of course, but I would not drink it for sure.
Good rate is about 150-200ppm I drink bottled water sometimes 2000 or more ppm but no longer then a week.
So for drinking: RO tap water is ok DI not good.

[Ron99]

Originally Posted by RuGlu6

I second that 0 ppm water is bad, if you drink DI'ed water at 0ppm you body will draw minerals from bones and blood, its not immediately lethal of course, but I would not drink it for sure.
Good rate is about 150-200ppm I drink bottled water sometimes 2000 or more ppm but no longer then a week.
So for drinking: RO tap water is ok DI not good.

As Snaz said this is an old wives tale/urban myth. Drinking purified water will not draw minerals out of your body. No way; aint gonna happen; not possible. The main drawback will be a very bland flavour which many people don't like. Drinking water is a negligible source of minerals for your body. It all comes from your food. Pure water in your gut cannot absorb enough minerals from anything to draw it out of your body. So drink whatever water you want, it doesn't make a difference. Personally, I'm okay with tap water. Nothing wrong with it at all. I save the RO/DI for the tanks

[RuGlu6]

Originally Posted by Ron99

As Snaz said this is an old wives tale/urban myth. Drinking purified water will not draw minerals out of your body. No way; aint gonna happen; not possible. The main drawback will be a very bland flavour which many people don't like. Drinking water is a negligible source of minerals for your body. It all comes from your food. Pure water in your gut cannot absorb enough minerals from anything to draw it out of your body. So drink whatever water you want, it doesn't make a difference. Personally, I'm okay with tap water. Nothing wrong with it at all. I save the RO/DI for the tanks

its Not the water in the gut that absorbs minerals, its what body will do to survive.
For example body will draw calcium from bones if blood has less then enough of calcium for proper hart beat rate.Why ? because hart is more important for survival the bones at the moment.
You can drink 0ppm water for long time without any ill effect, what body will do is it will take required minerals from whatever source available; food veggies etc. or other body parts if levels are critically low.
The point is to supply natural (Not synthetic) minerals to the body at regular intervals.
So yes tap water is OK to drink. RO/DI is OK to drink IF you have enough minerals in perfect proportions, but what we know in this hobby is that, if you don't test it you don't know where you at right?
jmtcw