RO unit questions

can anyone explain the difference between say this RO unit and say an expensive name brand one you can get from an lfs or online fish store......from first observations it seems to have all the same components as a normal 50 gpd RO just the case doesnt seem as elaborate so any input would be apreciated i dont understand what could be the difference assuming you use all the same material and the same filtration materials for a product and it still isnt quite the same?

0PPM Portable 50 GPD Reverse Osmosis RO+DI Filtration | eBay

 

get a refurb SpectraPure 90gpd for $120+shipping, you won't be dissapointed and you'll be set, 5th one down: Untitled Document

I have one and it's awesome, membranes lasts sooo long and super easy to use.

Check out this other thread to read up on AZ's posts on the SpectraPure's & why they are the best: http://www.3reef.com/forums/water-chemistry/api-tap-water-filter-124110-2.html

 

Here is a link to a recent thread on the same subject:
http://www.3reef.com/forums/filters-pumps-etc/ro-di-unit-123441.html

This question gets asked a lot and it basically comes down to the quality of the components, how much they cost to replace, how well they perform and how long they last. The portables always come out on the bottom of the pile since they are non standard and end up costing much much more to own over time.

 

in those links i see a 90 GPD and a 75GPD....i only have a 55 (total capacity of ~70-75 including sump/fuge) so do you know of any smaller units that would be almost equivalent in performance that probably does 50 GPD or less...i dont mind making a little bit every day and storing it, i have the space to store it

 

actually the 90gpd would be perfect for you, it's not as fast as you think. AZ can comment on how they will measure that 90gpd (many variables will measure how fast you make pure water). You most likely don't have optimal PSI on your faucets so your production will be lower than 90gpd. I had this unit for my 55g and also make water for my new 70g with it. It's perfect, my PSI out of the faucet is about 50 or so, optimal is around 75-80 (I think). With my PSI I make about 5g of water every 1hr45mins. It's the perfect amount of time to just make a 5g bucket at night while I'm watching tv.

You won't find a better quality unit for that price and again it's measured differently than you're thinking. If you got a smaller gpd unit it might take up to 4hrs to make a 5g bucket (pain in the ass when you need water fast & it's easy to forget something making water for that many hours too) if your PSI isn't optimal. Def nab a 90, Im about to buy another I think it's such a great deal.

Booster pumps are expensive to ramp up your PSI so getting a larger gpd model is def the secure way to go IMO

 

You don't size RO/DI units by your tank size. What the 90 or 75 or 50 means is that it is capable of producing that much treated water in a full 24 hour period under the right conditions. Lower GPD systems have a major disadvantage in that it takes the twice as long to produce the same amout of water so your faucet is tied up longer if you are using a faucet adapter. There are 0 advantages to a 50 GPD system over a 75 or 90, the membranes are the same physical size and cost the same but produce less water per day.

 

tieing up a faucet isnt really a problem since its the basement faucet(should have the best pressure since its coming down from the main rather than up right?) and im the only one who uses the basement and we have a kitchen sink on the main floor and 3 other bathrooms with faucets so it wouldnt really make a difference to tie up a faucet for a bit longer if the unit is cheaper itself however if its closely priced then it may be worth it for the larger unit, plus i plan on storing the water in tubs so i dont run into a situation where i need the water fast and cant pump it out quickly and the tub is between 1/2 and 3/4 volume of the tank

 

knowing these details, def go for the 90gpd still, it can't hurt to have the faster production in your case. If I was between another brand lower-priced & lower gpd vs the SpectraPure refurb I'd go Spectra everytime for its superior membranes. Will always save you in the long run, nothing against the BRS units or other brands.

 

The price is the same whether its 15 GPD or 100 GPD. The Spectrapure 90 GPD membrane is by far your best choice since it is the only membrane on the market that is specially treated with a proprietary process to improve both its GPD and its rejection rate or removal efficiency then is either batch tested or in the case of the Select series membrane which is only like $10 more is individually hand tested and guaranteed in writing unlike any other. You get better quality water guaranteed, in my case the 90 GPD membrane is giving me 99.43% removal by itself even before DI treatment so DI resin seems to last forever which is another cost savings.

 

thanks for the info i guess ill start saving up