Best RO system for the money?

[MaxStout]

I'd hate to try to get one of those through security at an airport.

 

[Buckeye_Hydro]

An RODI system using a very low end sediment filter, a low end GAC prefilter rather than a carbon block, an unknown brand 100 gpd RO membrane, and a non-refillable inline DI cartridge. All mounted in a box. Not something I could recommend to folks.

Russ

 

[mabrungard]

Agreed Russ. I'm pretty sure you could spec something more cost-effective and reliable. You just need a fancy Pelican case to mount it in.

 

[Buckeye_Hydro]

and...
They are using a flow restrictor that under nearly all applications would generate excessive concentrate ("waste water"). I don't get the impression these folks are in the water treatment business.

Very rarely do we get customers in this sector of the market that want the RO permeate run through a DI stage. Common in other market sectors, but not here.

 

[MaxStout]

An RODI system using a very low end sediment filter, a low end GAC prefilter rather than a carbon block, an unknown brand 100 gpd RO membrane, and a non-refillable inline DI cartridge. All mounted in a box. Not something I could recommend to folks.

Russ

Yeah, it looks like the buyer is paying more for the fancy case than the gear within. More bling than bang for the buck.

 

[MaxStout]

One more thought on the "water briefcase" thingy. Maybe the developers should consider adapting it into something that can be purchased by humanitarian groups and sent to locations in developing nations, where the available drinking water is sketchy. Even donate a few to build goodwill.

Even so, the fact that the filter elements are non-replaceable tends to hobble the whole idea, IMO. Fit it with high-quality, standard, replaceable filters and I think it could take off. The market is already glutted with water filtration systems that rely on non-replaceable or proprietary components. Nobody likes to plunk down a couple c-notes, only to have to replace the whole thing in a year or two.

 

[BrewMikeA]

One more thought on the "water briefcase" thingy. Maybe the developers should consider adapting it into something that can be purchased by humanitarian groups and sent to locations in developing nations, where the available drinking water is sketchy. Even donate a few to build goodwill.

Even so, the fact that the filter elements are non-replaceable tends to hobble the whole idea, IMO. Fit it with high-quality, standard, replaceable filters and I think it could take off. The market is already glutted with water filtration systems that rely on non-replaceable or proprietary components. Nobody likes to plunk down a couple c-notes, only to have to replace the whole thing in a year or two.

Wow lot of negative feedback, most of it not accurate. First, all the filters and media can be replaced. DI filter media housing opens from the back and can/needs to be replaced every 12 months. The rest are quick connect fittings giving you easy replacements. Flow restriction is necessary to avoid permeating the RO membrane. They are essential to any non commercial RO. I agree a carbon block works better to avoid channeling but the GAC filter works well for most municipal water. I read on Facebook you can have the sediment replaced with another carbon filter if you feel it's necessary for your high chlorine water. The 3 filters that need to be replaced annually cost $19.99 total - pretty reasonable compared to some other filters.

I have one from there testing period and it works great. Done 3 brews (double IPA, moose head clone and a white IPA) and they have turned out great. Water tested at 0ppm for each one before i added in my minerals.

Named my White IPA - Yeti Slayer IPA
So far my favorite beer to date that I've Brewed.

 

[BrewMikeA]

An RODI system using a very low end sediment filter, a low end GAC prefilter rather than a carbon block, an unknown brand 100 gpd RO membrane, and a non-refillable inline DI cartridge. All mounted in a box. Not something I could recommend to folks.

Russ

Opened up the RO, the membrane is by Hydronix water. Very reputable manufacturer.
The DI filter opens from the back. I didn't open it bc it will be messy, it could be replaced.

 

[MaxStout]

Wow lot of negative feedback, most of it not accurate.

I'll admit I was probably a little harsh.

But in all fairness it appears you did just parachute into this forum, ostensibly to shill your Kickstarter project. Did you honestly expect to wow us all with that? Keeping in mind that there are a few water experts who frequently haunt these forums, including Martin and Russ, who have already weighed in on the subject.

If you want to impress us with your acumen, you might try building some rapport first.

 

[Buckeye_Hydro]

Hydronix isn't a membrane manufacturer....

 

[Buckeye_Hydro]

Ugh. Not here to get in a urinating contest on this. I stand by my comments.

Russ

 

[mblanks2]

To the OP, If you're looking at an RO System then Russ is the man to talk to. He designed my system based on what I wanted to get out of it and will design your system based on your needs and set-up. Call him. Great customer service and support. Awesome product.

 

[BrewMikeA]

I'll admit I was probably a little harsh.

But in all fairness it appears you did just parachute into this forum, ostensibly to shill your Kickstarter project. Did you honestly expect to wow us all with that? Keeping in mind that there are a few water experts who frequently haunt these forums, including Martin and Russ, who have already weighed in on the subject.

If you want to impress us with your acumen, you might try building some rapport first.

That's okay, was never a part of this forum, just googled around and joined when I saw a topic I liked. I'll see if some other threads are a bit more friendly.

Don't want the impression this is mine either. I am just a prototype tester for them. I actually feel bad bc now they got bad rep going bc I might not be explaining it correctly.

Regardless, it worked for me, saw the Kickstarter figured it might be appreciated since $200 for a RO ain't bad. Y'all seem to have strong opinions so I'll leave you be.

Hydronix Water is a manufacturer.

http://www.hydronixwater.com/dl/HDN_Catalog_2015.pdf

 

[Buckeye_Hydro]

Nope. Sorry.

 

[pagrider]

Nope. Sorry.

Why be such a condescending ******. Just say I am not all knowing. Its ok

 

[chisena]

So unproductive. Sad really.

 

[brrman]

Nope. Sorry.

So it looks like the Hydron Hydronix membrane is made by Eden.
All you had to do was say that. Then your comment would not sound like such *********gery...

 

[brrman]

dup

 

[MaxStout]

When someone disagrees by saying "Nope. Sorry." I don't take that as being condescending or douchey at all. It's a simple, straightforward answer. But then I must have thicker skin than some people.

Back to the subject of RO systems...I have to say I am happy with the Buckeye system I recently bought. Rock-solid construction, uses standard filters, wastes a LOT less water than some of the other systems I've seen, and the output rate is exactly where it should be. I have a 75GPD unit, and with my line pressure and cold tap water this time of the year, it produces about 60GPD, which is spot on. And the price was right. I emailed a few questions that Russ responded to the next day. Good customer service.

 

[Buckeye_Hydro]

Remember that the amount of waste water is something YOU can control by changing out the flow restrictor - a small little $4 part. Also realize that in some situations, you'll shorten the useful life of the RO membrane by over-restricting the waste water.

Russ

 

[mblanks2]

Back to the subject of RO systems...I have to say I am happy with the Buckeye system I recently bought. Rock-solid construction, uses standard filters, wastes a LOT less water than some of the other systems I've seen, and the output rate is exactly where it should be. I have a 75GPD unit, and with my line pressure and cold tap water this time of the year, it produces about 60GPD, which is spot on. And the price was right. I emailed a few questions that Russ responded to the next day. Good customer service.

Agree 100%! I'm perfectly satisfied with my system. Great service before and after the sale. Would refer anyone to Russ for valuable information and design of a new system.

 

[Homercidal]

That's okay, was never a part of this forum, just googled around and joined when I saw a topic I liked. I'll see if some other threads are a bit more friendly.

Don't want the impression this is mine either. I am just a prototype tester for them. I actually feel bad bc now they got bad rep going bc I might not be explaining it correctly.

Regardless, it worked for me, saw the Kickstarter figured it might be appreciated since $200 for a RO ain't bad. Y'all seem to have strong opinions so I'll leave you be.

Hydronix Water is a manufacturer.

http://www.hydronixwater.com/dl/HDN_Catalog_2015.pdf

Mike, you may want to be a bit more honest when describing your relationship with the company. Making claims that you are "...just a prototype tester for them." makes it sound as if you don't have a stake in the company, and didn't come here with the intention of advertising your own product (Which is frowned upon on this site).

Generally that kind of deceptive posting is frowned upon by the moderators and the membership.

If you got something to say, then at least be honest. You aren't gaining any points by trying to trick the people here. You're only making yourself appear dishonest.

 

[The_Bishop]

The criteria for 'best' is flawed. The waste ratio is end-user adjustable, and is highly dependent on the feed water quality and hardness. If you're not flushing with an adequate flow of water and your feed is hard, you'll foul the RO membrane.

 

[Buckeye_Hydro]

The criteria for 'best' is flawed. The waste ratio is end-user adjustable, and is highly dependent on the feed water quality and hardness. If you're not flushing with an adequate flow of water and your feed is hard, you'll foul the RO membrane.

Correctamundo!

 

[Ike]

And with a wave of my hand and a click of the mouse, the thread's yearlong slumber ends and it RISES ONCE AGAIN! BWAHAHAH!


To those who posted in this thread a while ago: still going good? How long (as in, how many gallons of RO water produced) do your filter sets last (I dig there are differences related to chemistry).

ALSO: Is anyone else bothered by the amount of water that is "wasted" to make a gallon of RO? I wasn't aware that was part of the process until just now. I like the idea of having RO "at the tap" and not having to recycle all the empty gallon jugs of distilled water I currently use, but don't relish the idea of flushing 4 gallons down the drain for each gallon of water I actually use. But...then again... what's the environmental impact of generating the heat required to boil the gallon of water I do use...

At the moment, I'm not sure it's worth the money: Figure a couple hundred bucks for the system, and even with a two year ROI I'd be looking at needing to brew 100 gallons/yr to break even ($1/gal for distilled h20 at the supermarket). That's before the cost of extra filters, although many kits include the first replacement set. I know I could do it even cheaper if I used the RO "vending" machines, but I have issues with those.

 

[Buckeye_Hydro]

And remember that having an RO system replaces the need to buy bottled drinking water

 

[andrewmaixner]

And with a wave of my hand and a click of the mouse, the thread's yearlong slumber ends and it RISES ONCE AGAIN! BWAHAHAH!


To those who posted in this thread a while ago: still going good? How long (as in, how many gallons of RO water produced) do your filter sets last (I dig there are differences related to chemistry).

ALSO: Is anyone else bothered by the amount of water that is "wasted" to make a gallon of RO? I wasn't aware that was part of the process until just now. I like the idea of having RO "at the tap" and not having to recycle all the empty gallon jugs of distilled water I currently use, but don't relish the idea of flushing 4 gallons down the drain for each gallon of water I actually use. But...then again... what's the environmental impact of generating the heat required to boil the gallon of water I do use...

At the moment, I'm not sure it's worth the money: Figure a couple hundred bucks for the system, and even with a two year ROI I'd be looking at needing to brew 100 gallons/yr to break even ($1/gal for distilled h20 at the supermarket). That's before the cost of extra filters, although many kits include the first replacement set. I know I could do it even cheaper if I used the RO "vending" machines, but I have issues with those.

my premium system from buckeye, with a booster pump, is only dumping 2.4gal per 1gal produced (6-7ppm), at about 97% rejection and 140gpd max flow rate.

Not cheep, but I was getting very tired of hauling almost 200lbs of water home from the store at a time. This is so much more convenient.

(If you are worried about the water waste environmental impact, you could run the waste to a storage tank and use it for something.)

 

[Buckeye_Hydro]

You can control the ratio of waste water to purified water - just talk with a trusted vendor before you tweak it.

Russ

 

[The_Bishop]

I'm running about 1.6:1 on my system with 5-6 tds, but it's hardly 'box stock' anymore and I live dangerously.

 

[Buckeye_Hydro]

The lower your hardness (or if you have a softener), the lower you can crank that ratio without prematurely toasting your membrane.

Russ

 

[The_Bishop]

Softener, auto flush valves, booster pumps... It all helps.

 

[MaxStout]

I still get about a 2:1 ratio of wastewater to RO with my Buckeye system. Checked it with a TDS meter: 4ppm, exactly the same as it was when I first set up the unit last winter.

I don't miss schlepping jugs of water from the store. Or wondering about the quality of the store water and when they last checked the filters. Or what and how much minerals they add "for flavor." Or how clean the machine's lines and taps are.