Clownfish!

[xxBarneyxx]

Clown fish do tend to pick an area and wont stray to far from it that often. However mine will on occasion go for a swim around the tank and at feeding time they go all over the place.

Regarding RO units. I would highly recommend getting one with a DI filter on it. This does a final polish on the water and also helps the RO membrane last longer.

Out of the ones on the site you linked I would pick this:
http/www.osmotics.co.uk/ultrapure-4-stage-50-gallon-per-day-reverse-osmosis-system-p-338.html?cPath=46_79&osCsid=d54ee11d6ef8af59a695fe04f8fa9b78

However there are some things missing from it that in my opinion you really need:
* Flush Valve - Highly recommend. Basically this flushes the RO membrane through and when done regularly can great extend the life of your RO membrane (My last one lasted almost 3 years before it needed replacing).
* Pressure gauge. If you have issues with your RO unit its 9 times out of 10 down to the water pressure. Without a pressure gauge on the RO unit you have no way to check this.
* In-line TDS meter. This measures the TDS on the incoming and outgoing water. IMO a much better way to check your TDS and if your RO unit is working than a handheld one, as you won't lose it and you can quickly check everything is working just by pressing a button.


This is the RO unit I have (I just have a 75gpd membrane and an in-line TDS meter added).
http/www.ro-man.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=22_89&products_id=190

I have heard that RO-Man is not in business anymore but not sure if that is true or not. They where very good when I bought from them before and the RO unit has worked great for around 3 years so far (only changed the membrane once and the DI resin once and always given 0 TDS water).

The units with a DI filter on are a little bit more expensive at the start but you will soon get the money back as you wont have to replace the membrane so often.

 

[AdAndrews]

Hmm, i did hear that about RO man too, thats why i have never bothered to look at their units.
The one you have certainly seems better value for money though.

looks like my £100 has gone out of the window

thanks for your help

 

[AdAndrews]

Can i ask a question, what is the point in someone buying say a 3 stage RO unit, if people are telling me to get the stage 4 ultra?

Even with the stage 4 Ultra will i not get TDS 0?

and also, im wondering if i even need 50GPD, i'd only need 20 weekly, and i dont mind running the system while im at school and then come back to a nearly full jerry can, so how fast do they produce the water.

And does anyone know for certain whether RO-man are in business? their systems seem more affordable, but is this for a reason, are they of poorer quality than osmotics?

Lastly, is there any other options, like D&D or TMC Ro units, that anyone would recommend?

thanks
Adam

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Not sure what the 3 stage ones have on them to be honest. You will most likely get 0 TDS from all of them. However the more prefilters you have (DI filter especially) the less work your RO membrane has to do and the longer it will last (saving you money over time).

Best bit with RO-man would be to try and get a phone number for them and give them a call. I haven't used any other RO unit so cant compare them but I have had this one for over 3 years and its worked flawlessly throughout.

 

[drsquirrel]

From talking to filtration people (in general, rather than aquarium specific) more than 3 stages + DI is unneccesary, and pretty much marketing.

Some people refer to 3 stage + DI as 4 stage.

I wouldn't worry if RO Man is out of business, if the retailer has the stock, buy it, the filters are all pretty much the same. You'll find that the unit itself might even be the same as other units (don't always buy into branding... as it can often just be rebadging only). As the retailer here is "ro man", use a credit card then any undelivery will be quickly dealt with.


I get 135PSI+ on my 100USG... and I still don't get 100 per 24hrs (check my stats here). So I'd go for the 50.



Inline TDS can be had quite cheaply, just over £20 for a dual inline unit (uk delivered). Knowing when you should replace your membrane/DI unit will make sure you get the longest service you can out of your units (and it's cool ).




I got a compact 3stage+DI 100 unit(inc pipe/pipe saddle), extra piping, pressure guage, ball valve and dual TDS for under £100. Compacts require the sediment filter sections to be completely replaced (ie the entire casing, so SLIGHTLY more cost). RO and DI are still replaceable/refillable.

 

[AdAndrews]

Cheers, thats a great help

I will go to the local marine shop at the weekend and see if they stock ro man, but cant i just buy it directly off the RO man website?

 

[drsquirrel]

Can order online if you want, it's one of then annoying shops that you have to sign up for an account to order, and have to fill out your details before getting the delivery cost.

FYI...
Standard Shipping £8.81
FREE Shipping for orders over £175 minimum

Considering you're looking at over £80, most online aquatic sites I visit have free delivery over that amount (so worth bearing in mind).

 

[AdAndrews]

Can order online if you want, it's one of then annoying shops that you have to sign up for an account to order, and have to fill out your details before getting the delivery cost.

FYI...
Standard Shipping £8.81
FREE Shipping for orders over £175 minimum

Considering you're looking at over £80, most online aquatic sites I visit have free delivery over that amount (so worth bearing in mind).

yes, definately worth bearing in mind.

many thanks for your help

 

[AdAndrews]

If i was to buy from osmotics, and get a guage aswell(seperately), would i have to get this one with tee fittings: http/www.osmotics.co.uk/water-pressure-gauge-with-tee-fitting-p-423.html?cPath=3

or this without? http/www.osmotics.co.uk/water-pressure-gauge-p-162.html?cPath=3

what the is a tee fitting?

thanks!

 

[drsquirrel]

You need to add the pressure gauge inline on the pipe, a T-Piece will let you do this.


I got my Pressure Gauge+T for £9 (delivered, uk).
http/waterfiltrationonline.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=60



You don't *need* a pressure gauge, specially if you have other ways to check it. I only got mine after I had possible issues (1:1 output, but my pressure is over 135 PSI).

Almost the same for the ball valve, you don't *need* it either... the manual way to flush is to disconnect the flow restrictor, the ball valve(+2 T Pieces if you manually plumb one in) just by passes the restrictor. So if you're running it out on the ground as and when you need it, you can omit it (just nice to have).

 

[AdAndrews]

You need to add the pressure gauge inline on the pipe, a T-Piece will let you do this.


I got my Pressure Gauge+T for £9 (delivered, uk).
http/waterfiltrationonline.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=60



You don't *need* a pressure gauge, specially if you have other ways to check it. I only got mine after I had possible issues (1:1 output, but my pressure is over 135 PSI).

Almost the same for the ball valve, you don't *need* it either... the manual way to flush is to disconnect the flow restrictor, the ball valve(+2 T Pieces if you manually plumb one in) just by passes the restrictor. So if you're running it out on the ground as and when you need it, you can omit it (just nice to have).

so to save money initially, i could just get the actual system, without flush and guage? and then if i have a problem buy the guage to see whats causing it?

sorry for all the questions lol, i'll get there eventually
Adam

 

[AdAndrews]

Ive just been informed that the osmotics units do infact come with the flush valve, so i mayaswell go for one of those.

Just undecided about the guage now


I'll go to the lfs first in a bit and see what they have there.

thanks for all your help guys!

Adam

 

[xxBarneyxx]

As said above you don't have to have the pressure gauge. If it all works ok then you will probably never look at it anyway. It is however very frustrating to set it all up and it not work correctly and then you cant check the pressure to see if that is the cause

 

[AdAndrews]

Ive just ordered the kit from osmotics, so hopefully it will be with me in a few days, and give me enough time to get some water before the weekend water change.

thanks for your help guys!

 

[APG78]

1.5" - tiny little things.
Had a bad day the other day - can I suggest that ANY gaps in the roof/lid are covered up? cloth/tape/perspex, whatever. My female jumped, through a gap that (I presume it was that gap) was about 11mm wide. They're great little fish though huh?