DIY RO Unit (inexpensive option?)

MicroTankin · #1 02-02-2011, 08:50 PM

150 bucks is expensive for me, and it is mostly the cartridge price for a real RO/DI. When I am done school and working again I will start setting up a bigger system but for now I think this is a nice little DIY that can supply my 10 g with lots of great water for cheap. I am running a nano on a extreme budget so.....expensive is relative. So far diy stand, light hood, rocks and free tank/skimmer and pumps......extreme budget! Plus I love DIY!

sphelps · #2 02-02-2011, 08:59 PM

You can buy RO water for as little as $1 for 5 gallons, for a 10 gallon nano on a budget that's the way to go. The Mr Clean approach will not give you good water for a reef tank, especially a nano.

lastlight · #3 02-02-2011, 09:13 PM

Further reading suggest the starter filter makes a few gallons and the replacement about 10 gallons. If you plan to be in this hobby long-term an actual ro/di unit is a great investment. If that requires saving up I'd still use ro water as a temporary solution as these things have been discontinued.

MicroTankin · #4 02-03-2011, 03:01 AM

Thanks for your opinions guys, I am not sure if I will try this or not. I know that you can get this system at Walmart (so it must not be discontinued). I have thought about a used RO system....

Mostly I would like to know where I can buy RO water for $1 dollar per 5 gallons......cause then I will just buy it with only one water change every 2 weeks to a month that will be a cheap option!! (sphelps??)

Thanks to globaldesigns for the info about Calgary water!

Obviously the most important thing for my small system is not introducing Phosphates via my water changes...this could be detrimental to my system....so I definitely need to use good water!

lastlight · #5 02-03-2011, 03:07 AM

I think a product still being available and being announced as discontinued are two different things was just mentioning that as I read it in the original thread you posted =)

globaldesigns · #6 02-02-2011, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MicroTankin

150 bucks is expensive for me, and it is mostly the cartridge price for a real RO/DI. When I am done school and working again I will start setting up a bigger system but for now I think this is a nice little DIY that can supply my 10 g with lots of great water for cheap. I am running a nano on a extreme budget so.....expensive is relative. So far diy stand, light hood, rocks and free tank/skimmer and pumps......extreme budget! Plus I love DIY!

You are in Calgary like me... Firstly, you don't need DI. Reason is that Calgary TDS from tap isn't that high. I run basic RO, so prefilter, carbon and membrane and my TDS is Zero. So saying that, you don't need the more expensive DI.

Secondly, I would invest in the proper RO system. You can go without, but you might have algae issues, so a good RO is really important, just like a good skimmer.

Just my opinion, I wouldn't bother with a DIY. You will either ruin your tank or end up with alot of water on your floor when the DIY leaks everywhere.

If money is tight, look at trying to find a used RO system.