pondmom said:
So whats a good unit to purchase?
Is it pretty easy to install?
As far as vending machines, I've "never" seen them here in Minnesota :?
In sizing a
RO unit you need to first think about how many GPD you want. GPD is Gallon Per Day if you had not known it. Most units are in 25GPD incraments so they would be 25,50,75 or 100GPD. Depending on how much water you need to make up and how frequently you are doing water changes you could get by with a lower GPD unit maybe.
I like 100GPD units just because of the speed they get things done. I can fill my 30gal trashcan for water storage in 6-8 hours on average.
The second thing to look at is the # of stages. Most
RO units are at least 3 stages and some are as many as 6. The differnt stages will consist of different filter media. Often you will have a sediment filter that is rated for X microns and a carbon filter and then your
RO membrane. On a 4 stage unit you might have a
DI membrane or a secondary carbon filter or a secondary sediment filter.
http://www.aquariumwaterfilters.com/Library/Library.html
The above link has some good informational articles. AquaFX also is a sponsor and a few of our other sponsors Captive Reefs and Captive Rased Corals carry their
RO units aswell. You should be able to find a decent 4 stage unit for under $150.
I like to tell people not to see the
RO unit as an expense but as an investment in pure water. Water not only for your fish but for you aswell. We have a chilled jug of
RO water in the frige at all times.