R/o System?

[Mauricia]

I did some google searches for info on R/O systems, as I'm planning on getting one, but I'm still a little confused. I understand how they work, but what kind of maintenance do they require? Do you need to replace filters and whatnot? I don't keep any marine fish but all of the ones I've found for sale are through marine fish companies, I assume this would be fine for freshwater fish. I'm only planning on using it for two bettas in 10 gallon tanks that my friend is bringing me, I know this seems silly but they're stunning and they're accustomed to a neutral pH and much softer water than what I have (my pH and gH are quite high).

I read somewhere that if you don't put the R/O system on the highest setting you can just partially reduce the hardness/pH without removing everything the fish needs and then you don't add back in minerals etc. that the fish need. Is this true? Or should I add stuff back in anyway? Or do the fullest purity and then add the product?

Does anyone have any suggestions for a basic system they have that works well? I don't think I need anything too fancy since they're just little bettas, but even with peat in the filtration and bog wood my waters still much too hard.
Here's one I found, does anyone know if this would be adequate?
[URL="http/www.aquariumguys.com/spectrapure-ro-100.html"]http/www.aquariumguys.com/spectrapure-ro-100.html[/URL]
I'm looking for something in this price range, maybe up to $200
Here's another one I found:
http/www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...mp;pcatid=12093

I found this product for minerals:
[URL="http/www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...cfm?pcatid=4828"]http/www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...cfm?pcatid=4828[/URL]
Is there a preferred brand or would that be good?

Thanks, any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[chr15_8]

if its only for a few 10 gallons tank i would try a few fish shop around your area and see if they sell them. If i remember rightly you are ment to keep the filter went and yo should replace the filters when the tds reading is above 7.

fir my 40 gallons marine system i buy the water from the lfs for £3.50 for 25 litres. The RO units over here cost around £100 for a desent on but im sure they should be plumbed into the mains although ive heard they dont have to be but its more messing about.

sorry it might not be much help but for the reasons above i didnt really bother looking into them, i probably will at a later date though

 

[Mauricia]

Thanks,
I actually live in the middle of nowhere and there are no fish shops, the closest is like 2 hours away so that's why I want to just get an R/O unit. I also think in the future I would want to keep other fish that aren't tolerant of hardwater so i might as well get one if I'm going to end up picking up a lot of water.
I'm just not sure which brands are reputable?

 

[chr15_8]

you from america? if so you might be best to sign up to an American marine site as they'll be able to advise better on the us systems.