is buying a r/o system worth the money?

Hello all,

I wanted to know if anyone has bought a r/o system and if it worth the money. I have seen one at costco and its 200.00. The system is a 5 part filter set up. The package doesn't say how many gallons the filters will last so does any know?

Right now I buy water for .25 g. from a machine thats in front on a store. This is ok but the two 5 gallon tubs don't last long and the money is adding up just for the water.

Thanks

I have one, I think its worth it. One thing you need to know is that the ones commonly available at places like costco are not suited for the continuos production you want. I bought mine from a hydro store for around that price. Filters last about 3 months. Only two need to be changed on a regular basis. You do need access to a drain, the ratio of good water to waste water is 1 to 5. Its 1/4" drain line so its not hard to run. Hooked mine up in about an hour. The inlet is a regular hose connection. I installed a separete shut off just before the system. VV

I got my RO from ebay to save $

It cost 9¢/gl to replace the filters.
My unit makes 2500gl/ filter set,
and came with a complete extra set of filters.

If you're buying water then its definitely worth it. If you are doing hydro then its benefits are immeasurable, if not it still helps and you have better water to drink and is way more convenient than having to screw with jugs. I have the RO system hooked up to a float in a trash can for a rez. When you buy it get the most gal/day you can so you arent waiting forever for shit to fill up.

Hey mrfake do you need to keep the water airrated with a water pump? And how did you hook up the float thing?
Thx, and one more thing how can you tell "When you buy it get the most gal/day"

I would love to get an RO system and probably will someday but...
i use tap water with G.H. FloraMicro hardwater and often top off with just plain old tap water and my plants seem OK to me.

so for me, RO systems got categorized as luxury rather than necessity though i would use one if i had one.

Most small systems are 34 (or so) gallons per day.. I'd do 64. Actually I do do 64 and i still wish it was faster. My res for the hydro is 30 gal so that means i'd have to wait like 12 hours to flush my system if i needed to after a fill. Not that i'd ever need to but better safe than sorry. The trash can is just a fresh water rez, its a 35 gallon can and it fills to around 30 gallons (not a coincidence). I just drilled a hole in the side and screwed on a home depot style swamp cooler float to fill it. the total ppm in my RO rez is between 10 and 20 ppm. I dont have an airstone in the RO rez but I have two in the hydro rez.

Watts Premier: Browsing Five Stage Reverse Osmosis

The float system looks nice. My ro is a SPectra-Pure and will produce 85 gal/day in Michigan. Water temperaure affect output. The difference in price from the smaller system was like $20.00, thats what he is saying. You don't want to have to wait three days to fill you reses back up after you clean them. VV

85gl/day is only 3.6gl/hour.

A float valve will really pay off and they are only $15.

i think RO water is the key to making great looking plants.
tap water will get it done but knowing exactly how strong your food and minerals really are

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quote=Earl;430815]85gl/day is only 3.6gl/hour.

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Ok, and ??

A float valve will really pay off and they are only $15.

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I agree they are helpful, especially if you have the room for a 35 gallon or larger storage space for it. I don't have the space for that decided at this point so it takes me two days to change the reses on the four tables. I ran water lines to the reses using air control valves that I got at Meijer in the pet department, so all I have to do is flip a switch to fill the reses after cleaning. I have seen posts of float switches hooked to a pump for filling one reservoir. What I want is a control capable of opening and closing 6 separete outlets. VV

I have an RO system for my ssltwater fish tank set p on a float when the water in my sump gets low the float turns on the RO unit and refills the sump. Its simple as hell. Check these guys out theyre awesome. The Filter Guys