RO SYSTEM or BUYING RO

mark · #1 04-08-2011, 03:20 AM

when I had my 75g and using bottles was was something like $15/wk for evap and water changes. Can buy a ro/di unit along with a single change of filters (for a full year's worth of water) for around $175. Buy the filters in bigger quantities costs go down. Definitely cheaper and not have to hump and store the bottles a big plus.

FaRico · #2 04-08-2011, 03:38 AM

What about for a 28 gal nano tank? Ive been flipping back and forth on the subject of getting one or buying as well. I've been trying to read up on the operation of the machine and it seems to be some have problems with auto/automatic shut offs, and wasting of water. Is this something I should be concerned with since I'd only be doing about 15 gal in water changes a month?

Harpo · #3 04-08-2011, 11:51 PM

whatcaneyedo · #4 04-09-2011, 12:02 AM

Still haven't figured it out? How much do you spend weekly buying RO water from a store? Multiply that by 52. If its more than $200 you're obviously better off buying a filter.

Membranes are sort of expensive (+$60?) but only need to be replaced every 3-5 years. Pre-filters are around $5-$15 each depending on how many you buy and where you get them from.

whatcaneyedo · #5 04-09-2011, 12:13 AM

I guess I should elaborate to say that if you're going to be spending over $200 in a year the filter will likely save you money right away in its first year. You will save even more in the subsequent years. For instance. Where I live we pay a fixed cost for water (its included in the rent) so I'm probably able to make over... 2000gal of RO/DI water for around $50 a year.

Harpo · #6 04-09-2011, 01:10 AM

Yeah...not too sure how much I am going to use as I don't use it currently. Do you know of any good systems that would be worth buying? There are so many options out there, it's hard to know what one is worth the money.

Thanks,

whatcaneyedo · #7 04-09-2011, 02:47 AM

Kent's systems use cheaper parts which I don't like and Vertex doesn't offer enough flexibility in my mind. BWI is probably fine but they only have 100gph membranes available... 75gpd has a higher rejection rate and has been what was recommended to me in the past. So I like the units sold on Bulk Reef Supply. They use john guest fittings, Filmtec membranes and you can opt to build your own system consisting of only the parts that you want.