Ro Unit For A Nano..

[fishnewb]

i will be setting up a salt water nano sometime in the new year.. 12-28gal.. not sure yet but i like to start buying equipment now..
what are the differences between 2 stage 3 stage 4 stage units? will a 2 stage do?

 

[andywg]

The more stages an RO unit has, the more different types of filrtation the water is run through before being collected. A 2 stage would probalby be ok, but most people shoot for 3 stage (carbon, micron filter and the membrane). Anything above 3 is usually splitting hairs, with a TDS reading of about 1 being found on 6 stage against up to 5 on a 3 stage - this is compared to tap water often in the 300 range.

 

[steelhealr]

I agree to a degree with andywg. Eg, in support of his comment, the last stage of a six stage filter is usually crushed coconut shell..which is added for flavor, so, not needed for your aquarium. In fact, it adds TDS to the water.

A filter like this should be fine.

http/cgi.ebay.com/New-Reef-6st-100GPD-Re...1QQcmdZViewItem

SH

 

[fishstick]

But beware of buying your RO unit from the USA unless you specify the use for the UK. Their voltage is not the same as ours and the plugs are different, also the shipping costs must be added on perhaps making the item not such a good buy.

 

[SkiFletch]

Lol, while shipping costs might be a little more expensive, RO units do not use electricity . Just water pressure.

I agree that excess stages can be a waste of time, but as always it depends on what kind of tank you want. If you're just runnin a FOWLR, or a simple reef with easy corals, the multi-stage RO unit, not necessary. If you're gonna keep a tank full of expensive highly sensitive corals/inverts, then getting the extra stages is a good precaution.

Above all, one thing to make SURE you get with your RO unit is a flush kit. The one SH linked to had one. Flush kits and their regular use really prolong the life of the membrane. Heck, mine's 3 years old and still working...

 

[Musho3210]

all you pretty much will want is micro filtration, carbon, and RO, DI wouldnt hurt if you run a high GPD unit or if you have like 1000 tds well water. Some lazy people, including me, have duo carbon, and/or duo DI. It doesnt increase the filtration, but you dont need to replace the pre filters as often.

 

[steelhealr]

As SkiFletch said...the key here is what you want to have in your tank. IMO...if you are going to invest in corals and work towards having a great reef, the nearer you could get your RO water to 0-3 TDS...well..."couldn't hoit (hurt)". It comes down to your budget and if you are willing to go an extra step as an 'insurance factor'. Will 95% purity vs 99-100% purity make a difference? Well...personal call. I'd recommend the latter if you are going to keep sensitive corals. SH