The Puffer Forum

I was contemplating building my own RO/DI unit, had the total price to about 100$ after seeing the actual price of components, then I found this... Got it flushing right now after receiving it today, so far looks good, just gotta do testing on the output water later, otherwise beats the 200+$ units hands down.. Just gotta get a TDS and perhaps a couple other things from the looks of the 2-300$ models from other companies..
I showed my dad this and explained the price difference and how the stuff works, his response was "Reverse osmosis? Hasn't that been around since the 60's?"
LOL!

http://cgi.ebay.com/0PPM-Portable-50GPD ... 2008r33056

Anyways, I'll update more later, no leaks as of yet but I'll definately upgrade the membrane? Would that help with lowering the amount of waste water coming out?

Wow, it's awe-inspiring...
It does what it says. 0 across the board, ~7ph!
Too bad the base unit is only 50gpd, I thought people were joking about the 'it just drips' but well, at least it's a fast drip! ;D

What tank are you using this for?

SW...
Although I'm a little confused.. Trace elements/minerals are both covered by the Instant Ocean? Or shall I add some of the Kent Trace?
Also, using the 4 to 1 mix of I think it was borax and baking soda, you get the KH/PH up?
But what about general hardness of the water? Or is that covered by the borax?
Or am I wrong on something, so much stuff out there and different routines...
I saw someone say "the salt alone takes care of what is needed for a SW tank", but that doesn't cover PH at all, especially during a WC right, if I'm aimin for ~8?
I was wondering too if the salt covers electrolytes? I see the Kordon conditioner has em, but still I havn't been able to find much more than "just add the salt"...

Oh ya, got a mix of about 2/3 substrate CC on the left portion of the tank, with 1/3 Carib Sea Aragamax Aragonite sand...
I guess the sand has Calcium, CO3, Strontium, Magnesium, Molybdenum, Potassium... if that makes a diff and I don't need to add more than salt..

I dunno, been reading like crazy...

What are you planning on keeping in this tank? If fish only, then all you need is salt & aragonite sand, for minerals & a steady pH of around 8. Nothing more. Live rock is always a good idea too.

Ya, just some gsp's...

Do you have any suggestions for live rock? I've seen some all around, but then also heard diseases/parasites can be a problem?

I guess I should ask too, I've been reading and there's some debate as to whether or not ro/di removes chloramine?
The unit has granular activated carbon, but does this mean for sure it's "catalytic" carbon?

I emailed the maker to double check, I'm sure some water conditioner wouldn't hurt in case the carbon starts to fail, but I think I would see nitrates first since my tap sucks and the DI has a shorter lifespan from what I've seen in all these resources... could be wrong though, I'm still a newb, and I just have to ask all the questions lol.


Thanks again, nice pic btw!

It removes everything. Did you get a TDS meter with that?

Na, that's pretty much the only thing, that will tell me when it's about dead?

It'll tell you when it's time to change the filters.

Cool, I figured as much, but for 63$, sure beats the pants off similar models I've seen from other companies...
Can't believe how exspensive the units are for some simple chemistry for cheap components..

Did you have any suggestions though for Live Rock PP? I was looking around, and am not sure what would be the best, again, mixed results/opinions...
I was looking for if I remember right, Monano? Someone mentioned it wasn't as dense, which would be a plus since I don't want to displace too much water or add too much weight to the setup..

Btw, ever seen a Green Serpant Star in a GSP tank? heh I wonder if they would leave it alone with all those spikes... Though I wonder if the tables would turn and the GSS would take out the GSP :/
heh

My suggestion would be to start with 2/3 base rock & 1/3 live rock.
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=21695

I have two of those horizontal DI tubes from this seller. They work. If you get two, you can get complete use out of the first one. That way you don't have to waste DI media that is still partially good. As far as the RO goes, i don't know what brand is inside tube. I bought that separate. I got my whole setup on craigslist and got media and membrane on ebay.