Looking to buy an RO Filter

[JEden8]

So I'm tired of my local water supply constantly changing the amount of chlorine and chloramine in my water supply as I just had to make an emergency trip to the store to pick up some distilled water as my fish and shrimp were starting to go crazy after a water change yesterday. I was doing some shopping around and don't need anything crazy for an RO unit but am curious how well the GE GX1S01R at Home Depot will do? It's a single stage filter for $36. Anyone got any advice for me? I don't want to drop major cash into one and thought this was affordable for what it is needed for as it will only be used once per week. Thanks!

[Chipoi84]

See if Goodwill have one. It probably cost a little more but better quality

[malady]

check Craigslist

last week in orlando I got a free 3 stage filter but no hoses or adapters :/ so I'm kind of confused on how to get it set up right now
but sometimes people don't know what they have

[TexasCichlid]

Why not just pre-mix Prime into your WC water?

[150EH]

There is a reason for 3,4,5, and 6 stage units, first the sediment filter $3, then a 5 micron carbon block $5 removes chlorine/cloromines, then a 1 micron carbon block $5 collects smaller particles, then comes the RO cartridge but these other cheap filters are to protect it and make it last a long time because they cost around $33 but will last 3 years or longer if handled properly, this means a back flow kit.

This is a very basic unit that has a little protection for the RO membrane and it's from Bulk Reef Supply if you notice they only use the 75 GPD Dow Filmtec Membrane because it has the best rejection rates and if you need water faster they stack the membranes, plus they use everything 'made in the USA' and the best fittings, I would give this unit serious thought and at $80 it's going to out perform and out last the Home Depot model.

[lpsouth1978]

Check out Ebay!! Look for a seller called purewaterclub. I have been using their RO/DI units for my reef tanks for years. They are very reasonably priced and BRAND NEW and come with all of the filters and membrane. I bet you would find a used one on craigslist for about the same price. I tries to attach a link to their store, but it is an ebay link and therefore cannot be posted.

You can get a 150 GPD 5 stage RO/DI unit for $112 shipped, or a portable 100 GPD 4 stage RO/DI unit (I use this one) for $65.

[JEden8]

Originally Posted by Chipoi84

See if Goodwill have one. It probably cost a little more but better quality

Unfortunately I don't really have the time to run around for that. I'd like to buy one brand new if I could.

Originally Posted by malady

check Craigslist

last week in orlando I got a free 3 stage filter but no hoses or adapters :/ so I'm kind of confused on how to get it set up right now
but sometimes people don't know what they have

I did look on Craigslist but didn't see anything worth while. Maybe by this weekend there will be.

Originally Posted by TexasCichlid

Why not just pre-mix Prime into your WC water?

That's what I have been doing and it hasn't worked every time unfortunately. This is the 4th time in the last year and a half that I have had this happen and don't want to run the risk anymore.

Originally Posted by 150EH

There is a reason for 3,4,5, and 6 stage units, first the sediment filter $3, then a 5 micron carbon block $5 removes chlorine/cloromines, then a 1 micron carbon block $5 collects smaller particles, then comes the RO cartridge but these other cheap filters are to protect it and make it last a long time because they cost around $33 but will last 3 years or longer if handled properly, this means a back flow kit.

This is a very basic unit that has a little protection for the RO membrane and it's from Bulk Reef Supply if you notice they only use the 75 GPD Dow Filmtec Membrane because it has the best rejection rates and if you need water faster they stack the membranes, plus they use everything 'made in the USA' and the best fittings, I would give this unit serious thought and at $80 it's going to out perform and out last the Home Depot model.

So if I'm reading your post correctly, the filter I listed above is a pre-filter for an RO filter? Correct? Thanks for the link! I'm looking at it as we speak.

Originally Posted by lpsouth1978

Check out Ebay!! Look for a seller called purewaterclub. I have been using their RO/DI units for my reef tanks for years. They are very reasonably priced and BRAND NEW and come with all of the filters and membrane. I bet you would find a used one on craigslist for about the same price. I tries to attach a link to their store, but it is an ebay link and therefore cannot be posted.

You can get a 150 GPD 5 stage RO/DI unit for $112 shipped, or a portable 100 GPD 4 stage RO/DI unit (I use this one) for $65.

Thanks! I'll take a look at it when I get home as I can't view Ebay at work.

[somewhatshocked]

Be sure to perform a good google search on any retailer you decide to go with. Make sure it's right for you.

I'm recommending this since we can't do vendor reviews.

Just be sure your money is going to a company that is going to provide really good customer service since you'll likely be spending $100+.

[dbosman@msu.edu]

Watch the videos at
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/brs-tv
After that, you'll know far more than you know now, and can choose components that suit your needs. It will also help anyone with a used system, figure out what line goes where and why.

[150EH]

No I think Home Depot might sell a RO filter that stands alone but it's not a good idea, but they don't care if you spend $35 every year on a new membrane instead of a cheaper up front to get out all the big stuff.

[JEden8]

My main goal with this is to reduce/remove as much chloramine/chlorine as possible. Everywhere I read is saying that all water companies are switching to chloarmine instead of the chlroine. So will a drinking water filter accomplish this goal for me instead of purchasing an entire RO system? If so, then it's worth it to me.

[150EH]

If you notice BRS has Chloramine specific units, so take a look and see what the difference is, also they have videos that explain what watch filter does, this should be a big help and you'll know everything before you buy.

[150EH]

I would call BRS and study Chloramines a little because if they disapate like Chlorine then maybe a holding tank for aged water is all you need, at a pump and some hose for rapid fill.

[dbosman@msu.edu]

Originally Posted by JEden8

My main goal with this is to reduce/remove as much chloramine/chlorine as possible. Everywhere I read is saying that all water companies are switching to chloarmine instead of the chlroine. So will a drinking water filter accomplish this goal for me instead of purchasing an entire RO system? If so, then it's worth it to me.

A standard off the shelf drinking water filter will not remove chloramines.
Personally I trust the folks at Bulk Reef Supply. Here is a clip from one of their products.

Approximately 10% of city municipal waters systems use chloramines to process water. Standard RO filters will not remove chloramines from the water. To find out what's in your water contact your city and ask for a water report. Granulated catalytic carbon works extremely well at significantly “lowering” the chloramine levels where carbon blocks work better at achieving “extremely low levels.” For this reason we suggesting them in series, the refillable catalytic carbon stage first and then the chlorplus 10 carbon block. It is important to change them both every 5,000 gallons (include waste water in this calculation).

Given the cost of Prime, SAFE, and Chloram-X I can't afford to try to filter out chloramines.
I know my water has chloramines. The yearly report the water supply folks have to send out, arrived this week. I also now know my water has .035 ppm copper.

[JEden8]

Thanks for the information! I think I'm going to end up just buying RO water from my LFS as it's only 50 cents/gallon. I'll use 25%-50% with a mix of pre-treated tap water. Since I'm in the military and my wife and I are looking to move to Colorado, she said I can get one there when we get a house.

Also, good to see another MSU fan! My wife went there.

Thanks again for all the help!