Volkster Posted March 18, 2007 Report Share Posted March 18, 2007 I don't know all that much on RO\DI units other than the fact that they purify tap water and that it, IMO, is a must have for a SW tank. I get the basics on how it works, now it's the chosing part that I would like some opinions on. As you may know buying locally is very expensive and for 1/2 the pice, including shipping, I can get a topline unit on ebay. I think these are great value: [uSD$199] http://cgi.ebay.com/Reverse-Osmosis-Pro ... dZViewItem and [uSD$169] http://cgi.ebay.com/Reverse-Osmosis-Aut ... dZViewItem I take it that the auto shut-off system hooks up to your system and is used for top-offs. If this is the case I would'nt use this setup just yet but at some stage in the future I will. The only difference, I can see, between the 2 is that the more expensive one has a built in Dual-inline TDS meter?? Are these worth it and if so which one would you recommend? Thanks Guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef Posted March 18, 2007 Report Share Posted March 18, 2007 The first unit looks the best. the tds meter is a good thing to have as it will show when to change the media. here a thread on RO http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fishroom/1-vt18 ... sc&start=0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeroen Posted March 19, 2007 Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 I bought this unit and a TDS meter. I am very happy with the purchase and don't think any retailer here in can beat that price. http://cgi.ebay.com/Aquarium-RO-2-DI-12 ... dZViewItem Jeroen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeBlog Posted March 19, 2007 Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 Hi Jeroen- I checked out all these on Ebay as well and almost bought one, but I was worried about shipping costs, time involved with shipping, GST/customs charges, etc... making it more of a PITA than the gains achieved by the low list price. Did you have any problems at all with shipping? If you don't mind, what price did you pay overall? If it wasn't in fact a PITA, then that is a great find! 8) I ended up getting mine second hand for a couple hundred bucks. I think the LFS price was somewhere around $700. So, I'm sure you have that price beat by a mile! Cheers, Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volkster Posted March 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 Hey Guys, Have found this unit that was recommended by someone at this forum: http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.p ... pic=114718 Any thoughts on this, quality etc? This is a 6 Stage aposed to a 4 stage at $10 more?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef Posted March 19, 2007 Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 I doubt getting a ro unit from overseas is an issue as it is not retailer’s core business and they would sell less than a few units a year and only supply them as a service to add value. I think i have seen some at Hollywood fish farm for about $400. I don’t think it had the tds meter on it. I never use my tds meter. By the time you land the $199us unit it will be over $400nzd with GST and freight. Also the US RO parts might no match the NZ parts if you need a replacement . There are plenty of places in NZ that do RO units as it is their core business. Nothing wrong with your post volkster just some people like to stir . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volkster Posted March 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 Thanks Reef I prefer to support local stores too however we all know that this hobby has it's high prices and when it comes to some of the general equipment I don't mind shopping around...after all a RO unit, IMO, ain't a core component it's more a essentual if you kow what I mean - lol I've had a look at the one Hollywood Fish Farm supply, it's a good unit but the thing that caught my eye on ebay was that for the same price I could get a complete automated system. I got a quote from a local RO store for around $750 for a complete automated sytem designed for Aquariums and as I am saving for a skimmer I decided against it...so I started doing a little more research and ended up here...hence why I posted the topic and as a noob I don't know alot about the RO units and wanted some advice...lol...round in circles I go... :lol: I might just take my time on this one... Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted March 19, 2007 Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 What about those of us that don't have a LFS? Anyway, there are many places that sell RODI filters other than fish stores. I bought mine from a place called Wellington Water Filters. I don't remember the exact price, Prefilter, RO and DI totalled somewhere around $400ish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef Posted March 19, 2007 Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 What about those of us that don't have a LFS? Anyway, there are many places that sell RODI filters other than fish stores. I bought mine from a place called Wellington Water Filters. I don't remember the exact price, Prefilter, RO and DI totalled somewhere around $400ish. That is up to you if you dont have a LFS try LFS/wholesalers as they might courier items as it is all about getting exposure in the area to get people in the hobby As i mentioned RO units are not LFS core business and there are many filter places that do RO units . Yellow pages is a good place to look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volkster Posted March 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 Righty-o then :bounce: What does one look for in a RO unit? How can you tell that you're getting a good buy\product? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted March 19, 2007 Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 volkster, see the top of the reference links section at the top of the forum PS: whoever keeps deleting my posts please send me a PM and explain to me why... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef Posted March 19, 2007 Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 does one look for in a RO unit? How can you tell that you're getting a good buy\product? try these links http://www.pwgazette.com/rofaq.htm http://www.pwgazette.com/roremove.htm http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fishroom/links- ... t7074.html info i found Reverse osmosis units remove substantial amounts of most inorganic chemicals, such as salts, metals (including lead), asbestos, minerals, nitrates, and some organic chemicals, by allowing tap water to pass through a membrane and collecting the filtered water in a storage tank. Alone, reverse osmosis units are not recommended for use on microbiologically unsafe water. Before you buy an reverse osmosis unit, be aware of its characteristics. Typically, about 75 percent of tap water put into the reverse osmosis system is wasted, so it may take 4 gallons or more of tap water to get one gallon of reverse osmosis filtered water. Also, the tap on the tank where the treated water is stored flows more slowly than the tap on your regular faucet. In addition, the most common membranes used in reverse osmosis units are subject to decay and failure and must be replaced periodically. Owners of reverse osmosis units should follow the manufacturer's recommendations about proper maintenance and use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volkster Posted March 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 Thanks again Reef T'will be helpful, will dive into those links in the morning and see what I can learn 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 This topic has now been cleaned. Keep it on-topic and no more arguements please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volkster Posted March 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 :bounce: Been doing some research and found that this is a very good buy: Aquarium Reef 6 Stage 110GPD RO+2DI water filtration 3 replacement filters for the unit Inline Pressure Gauge 0 to 300 psi Inline Dual TDS monitor 4G Tank The total, for the unit, comes to NZ$305 Can see the Unit here: http://cgi.ebay.com/RO6102DINT-Aquarium-Reef-110GPD-RO-2DI-water-filtration_W0QQitemZ120013121502QQcategoryZ46310QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem However...you get hit with a whopping NZ$250 for shipping, but it still works out cheaper and it is a 6 stage + accessories with refills :bounce: Shipping is NZS$125 per box, if you get the unit + accessories minus the refills and tank, it will all come in 1 box @ NZ$225 + shipping = NZ$350 all up...not bad eh? Any thoughts or comments on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef Posted March 27, 2007 Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 dont forget the GST Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Posted March 27, 2007 Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 If under $400NZ then no GST on personal imports. However, consider replacement membranes and filter elements. You'd need to be sure these were available locally or you'll need to stock spares. Also, importing spare parts is likely to cost the same again in freight every time you need them, not to mention the shipping delay - when you need water it has to be available. Long term, it's likely to cost a crap-load more to run than buying one at twice the price that's locally supported... I purchased my 4 stage RO locally for $250 and it costs me $80 a year (approx) to run in spare parts. Work out what this unit is likely to cost to run each year (including freight) and see if it's worth it over 2-5 years or longer. I've been using RO for 10+ years now so replacement membranes and filters are the largest part of the cost. The initial purchase is nothing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef Posted March 27, 2007 Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 Is the unit not $305 plus shipping $225 so $530, do you really need a 6 stage? 4 should be more than ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volkster Posted March 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 If under $400NZ then no GST on personal imports. Correct and the GST law does not include shipping, it's the purchase of the product. consider replacement membranes and filter elements. You'd need to be sure these were available locally or you'll need to stock spares. Also, importing spare parts is likely to cost the same again in freight every time you need them, not to mention the shipping delay - when you need water it has to be available. The replacement can be bought locally - made sure of that. At first the cost are cheaper to source the first replacement stock with the unit, from here I'll purchase them locally. I worked out that if I buy the replacement components locally I only save NZ$15. The replacement components sourced from US + shipment ended up being NZ$165 compared to $150 in NZ so not that much of a difference. do you really need a 6 stage? 4 should be more than ok. From what I've read having an extra carbon filter removes any excess chlorine resulting in longer life of the membrane and cleaner water & having an extra DI unit removes any excess dissolved solids. All in all good water quality and a very good price and better for the aquarium :bounce: I'm a noob at this all so more information you can give with experience will be muchly appreciated Is there much of a difference in water quality when comparing the 2 Units? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef Posted March 27, 2007 Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 Correct and the GST law does not include shipping, it's the purchase of the product. Are you sure? Calculation of Customs Charges Where applicable, Customs duty is levied on the transaction value of the goods (the price actually paid for them). Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 12.5 percent is then calculated on the duty-inclusive value plus international freight and/or insurance charges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speed Posted March 27, 2007 Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 Volkster, You might wanna check out this website from Australia. http://www.psifilters.com.au/Reverse%20Osmosis%20Laundry.htm In particular, check out the PSI-019B-DI or the PSI-020B-DI-GM. I got myself the PSI-019B-DI with TDS meter. Literally all of the reefers from Aussie buys the RO/DI unit from this guy. You get a 10% discount if you are a member of the forum from http://www.masa.asn.au/phpBB2/. Good service and a great guy to talk to. Shipping from Tasmania to NZ shouldn't cost too much. Should be a lot cheaper than US and easier to get parts too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volkster Posted March 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 Thanks Speed, I'll see what these guys can do. Will keep you updated. As for the defference in water quality between 4 and 6 stage. Is it much and is it worth it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drifty Posted March 27, 2007 Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 I brought my RO unit from a local company who got it from anthony preston in howick. It only cost me $350. It is a 4 stage unit I think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puttputt Posted March 27, 2007 Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 ditto, good unit from Anthony Preston, and good local back up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volkster Posted March 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2007 Did some calling around and got some questions answered There is no real difference in the water quality output between a stage 4 -> stage 6 units. The main reason why one would want a higher staged unit would depend on what the local tap water quality is. The extra filter basically filters out what the 1st filter didn't. i.e. Having 2 Carbon Filters or 2 DI filters, etc. So for most of us a stage 4 would be suffice Hope that helps some people in their descision making. I tell ya, a simle unit like this can get quite confusing to understand for a noob :lol: Out with the stage 6 and back to the drawing board for me :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.