How Important Is Ro/di Water?

[kelleyga36]

Like the title says how important is ro/di water. I'm am just starting out and and I am wondering does have success without it? From what i read most of you seem to use it.Give me your opinions please.

 

[tebriel]

My tank was in terrible shape, red cyano algae everywhere and couldn't keep any of my tank parameters in check, I changed to RO/DI and it fixed all of my problems. It's like snake oil that actually works. Granted you have to do water changes and all the other stuff, but I think it's REALLY important.

 

[bobz]

+1 RO/DI. Although I have never used anything but it in my tanks. I hated hauling water from the LFS so bought a unit. Best purchase I ever made so far! If you are using tap, I suppose you could treat to remove chlorine, etc but I have never tried it. The total dissolved solids reading of my tap water here in marietta is 35-45 range and my RO/DI removes all of that, so typically I am reading 0 (2 or 3 if I need to change out a filter).
Bob

 

[george]

Very. As with anything, a poor foundation will doom the final product. Water quality is the foundation of your tank regardless of whether it's fresh, salt, reef, or fish only.

 

[basscyn]

I had never even considered tap water. I just assumed RODI was the only option. It didnt take me long to get tired of going to the LFS for water.

I bought my Rodi unit from a member getting out. Keep your eye open for one here or post a WTB thread when your ready. You can find a decent one under a hundred bucks.

A "<u>must have"</u> purchase in my opinion.

 

[george]

Do NOT use tap water. Don't even consider it. Unless you live in well-water fed sections of the Blue Ridge Mountains (which don't run through Sandy Springs, last I checked), your water regardless of source has stuff in it you don't want in the tank.

Now if you do live in well-water fed sections of the Blue Ridge, congratulations! You may have purified, 350-400 ppm water coming out of your tap. I've seen it and tested it and been green with envy.

 

[stickx911]

yea, I'm still hauling jugs from the lfs...but I would not use tap. I had bad algae growth that the rodi fixed in no time.

 

[tebriel]

Hauling jugs sucks, but algae sucks more! I've heard that eBay has good units if you know who to buy from. That being said, I don't know who to buy from, I got mine used.

 

[stickx911]

i'll wait for a good deal. I have a small enough tank still that it isn't the worst thing in the world. Plus it gives me a reason to look at all the things I want to buy...lol

 

[nickskains]

A with the others, my RODI was the best purchase ever! I got mine from Air, water, ice and with the discount it was about 150 with shipping for a 75gpd unit. They have some smaller ones for 100 that are like 50gpd.


Another perspective, I filled my 75g up with 40g of RODI and the rest with tap. In about a months time I had green hair algae and brown with some cyano. Once the initial outbreak and only using RODI from then on I have very minimal algae outbreaks.

I'd say aside from the right chemicals for dosing that a RODI is a must have!

 

[kelleyga36]

So has anyone purchased a ebay one ? or have a used one?

 

[todd03blown]

Good information posted here as I am new and will likely get one of these as well.

 

[ericmcj31]

kelleyga36;205677 wrote: So has anyone purchased a ebay one ? or have a used one?

I have a "Water General" unit I use that I purchased on Ebay--it ws like $100--and was a GREAT investment. Had cyano everywhere, and it works great! Just keep a check on TDS after about a year or so (depending on how much water you're making), and change your filters regularily and you should be in good shape. I had a set of filters I had for about a year/18 months. At that time I was making water pretty heavily--now I barely make 50 gallons/month as opposed to 50-75 a week. For the $$$ I LOVE my Water General unit!

 

[chauwall]

I purchased mine on eBay back in 2003-best investment by far. It's still kicking. I've changed the filters like every 2 years. It is a RODI unit and is a Water General product. See this link:

 

[treyeleven]

Hey guys. I bought this one a while back and it does the job- 100 gallons per day with DI for under 200 new. I also use the RO for drinking water.

 

[dons]

My son's been buying his water at Kroger, recently did some testing and found it was no better than tap water. He's had tons of problems with his reef tank and now thinks he has found out why. I guess that speaks a lot for owning a TDS meter. BTW, he's spoken to Kroger management and the company that put the equipment in the Kroger stores. They have provided him with no support or plans for changing anything. He lives in Boone, Ky but I'd suspect that all the Krogers have the same program. (no jokes about Kentucky)

 

[kelleyga36]

Purchased a RODI today great deal got it at cappacino bay $100 Guess everyone is correct as i am having algae problems.Hope this makes a difference.

 

[thedeper]

I used purified water from walmart. I think Crystal water is the name of the company... is that better than tap?

 

[ericmcj31]

DonS;205881 wrote: My son's been buying his water at Kroger, recently did some testing and found it was no better than tap water. He's had tons of problems with his reef tank and now thinks he has found out why. I guess that speaks a lot for owning a TDS meter. BTW, he's spoken to Kroger management and the company that put the equipment in the Kroger stores. They have provided him with no support or plans for changing anything. He lives in Boone, Ky but I'd suspect that all the Krogers have the same program. (no jokes about Kentucky)

yeah-I've heard of that in about all the stores (not just Kroger) that sell bulk water. Even some LFS that SELL YOU rodi water aren't changing their filters often enough and are selling nasty water as well.

 

[ericmcj31]

kelleyga36;206537 wrote: Purchased a RODI today great deal got it at cappacino bay $100 Guess everyone is correct as i am having algae problems.Hope this makes a difference.

Cool! You'll start seeing a change slowly. Just keep up with frequent WC's and i guess you know to mix your salt with a powerhead AT LEAST a couple hours before adding it to tank. Also don't forget your top-off water to be RODI as well. I think you'll be well pleased with your new purchase.