RO Unit

[Dearth]

I use the Vertex puratek 2 stage RO I 100gallons per day from J&L

I like it a lot (used for 3 years now still works like a charm)and it won't bust your bank account

[squamishbc]

Originally Posted by Dearth

I use the Vertex puratek 2 stage RO I 100gallons per day from J&L

I like it a lot (used for 3 years now still works like a charm)and it won't bust your bank account

I use this one and works well. The price was the reason I chose it, no issues so far with it.

[mike31154]

Prior to making a purchase it's a good idea to find out more about your water source. I believe you folks in the GVR are fortunate to have very low TDS from the tap. Info should be available on line from your water utility or city. Whether your water is chlorine or chloramine treated will determine if you need an extra carbon stage. A good quality 75 gpd RO membrane could get your TDS down to 0 and you may not even require a DI stage. A water pressure gauge is a good option as is a dual TDS meter.

I use RO water for coffee, tea, cooking, wine/beer making as well as making water for my tank. The unit gets a good workout!

[spedly]

I really like the Spectrapure MaxCap that I bought from Reef Supplies. It's very well made and I haven't had any issues with it whatsoever.

[Myka]

Mike brings up a good point - knowing what you need to filter out is important. For example, here in Saskatoon we deal with chloramines which takes some consideration.

My go to for RO/DI stuff is Bulk Reef Supply, but with the Canadian dollar in the toilet it's harder to buy in USD. I am still using my Kent Barracuda 4-stage RO/DI that I bought in 2004 from J&L Aquatics. All I've ever replaced on it are filters and the pressure gauge. I've modified the heck out of it, but it still functions the same as a stock unit.

For filters, you can't beat Bulk Reef Supply because they have better quality sediment and carbon blocks (smaller micron) than I've found from Canadian suppliers. I'm on a Filmtec 150 GPD RO membrane that I bought from BRS which I'm only flushing 1:1.75 (using a 75 gpd restrictor) that's been running since Apr 2010 and I'm still getting only 2 ppm out of the RO membrane (source water is 150-210 ppm). I flush it for at least a few minutes after every use, and I've been known to forget it "flushing" for an hour or two. Interestingly, the original 75 gpd membrane that came with the Barracuda was used very lightly (had a nano tank) and only lasted me 3 years before it was producing 12 ppm. I use the current 150 gpd membrane fairly heavily and it's twice the age!

I added an HM Digital DM-1 dual in-line TDS meter and I have the "IN" measuring just after the RO membrane, and the "OUT" measuring the product water after the DI stage. It's unfortunate that you can't calibrate these probes separately, but so far mine read the same (I put them both on the same line to check). This set up tells me when the tds is creeping up from the RO membrane and it's time to change, and also tells me when the product water reaches 1 ppm and it's time to change out the DI resin.

[squamishbc]

Mine in Chilliwack is around 60ppm in, and 1 out. I don't use DI as I keep nothing but 2 clown fish, and a little rock of mushrooms, and frankly never had an issue with that 1ppm that is left causing issues.

Originally Posted by mike31154

Prior to making a purchase it's a good idea to find out more about your water source. I believe you folks in the GVR are fortunate to have very low TDS from the tap. Info should be available on line from your water utility or city. Whether your water is chlorine or chloramine treated will determine if you need an extra carbon stage. A good quality 75 gpd RO membrane could get your TDS down to 0 and you may not even require a DI stage. A water pressure gauge is a good option as is a dual TDS meter.

I use RO water for coffee, tea, cooking, wine/beer making as well as making water for my tank. The unit gets a good workout!

[mike31154]

Most of the time my water source in Vernon is Kalamalka Lake which averages 180 TDS. I recently replaced my 75 gpd RO membrane after flogging the original for a good 6 years. The old one was providing 1 TDS with the Kal Lake water, the new one gets it down to 0 TDS. I still use a DI stage for tank water. Occasionally the city switches me to the Duteau Creek source which is much lower TDS, somewhere around 50 IIRC. Many variables depending on where you live, where your water comes from & seasonal factors. It pays to do a bit of research.

[hillegom]

Here in Surrey, we have between 10 and 15 ppm TDS, depending on the season. Spring time is the highest.
With such a low TDS, the filters last a long time. I have at least 5 yrs on the RO membrane.

[DKoKoMan]

I'm looking at the AquaFX barracuda on JLaquatics and the Spectrapure 4 stage on reef supplies. Any suggestions on which unit performs better and is a better bang for your buck.

Thanks.