| Whether using tap or well Water you are certain | | | | every 2-3 months or when it appears dirty. This |
| to run into something that your aquatic inhabitants | | | | will help extend the life of your reverse osmosis |
| are not going to appreciate including Metals, | | | | membrane. The membrane is what squeezes |
| Phosphates, Nitrates, Chlorine and Chloramines | | | | out most of the bad stuff in the water and |
| (in some locations). Tap water may work for a | | | | usually lasts about 2-5 years depending on the |
| while however you can never be certain you are | | | | source waters starting TDS and carbon dioxide |
| not going have a disaster with your next water | | | | content. I have sold, used and recommended |
| change. | | | | Filmtec's Membranes for about 6 years now |
| You could also pick up water at your local water | | | | without any issues and they will both outperform |
| store however this is just RO water and typically | | | | and outlast the competition. An inline or handheld |
| has a TDS (Total Dissolved Solid) count of 2-10 | | | | TDS meter will let you know when it is time to |
| depending on when the filters were changed. | | | | change your cartridges. |
| Total Dissolved Solids (often abbreviated TDS) is | | | | I have tried several different 10" Reverse |
| a measure of the combined content of all | | | | Osmosis filter cartridges but none seem to |
| inorganic and organic substances (like Red Slime) | | | | compare to a good Purtrex Sediment filter mixed |
| contained in a liquid in molecular, ionized or | | | | with KX's Matrikx CTO2 and Matrikx + 1 Carbon |
| micro-granular suspended form. This is great | | | | Block Filters. As far as the Deionization is |
| for drinking water and much better than tap | | | | concerned purchase an inexpensive clear refillable |
| water but still not the best for your reef tank. | | | | canister and 1.25 pounds of DI Resin to fill it. |
| You need the DI component to get your TDS | | | | This will save you $15-20 every six months on |
| down to zero. Once at zero you can be fairly | | | | the DI component. There is absolutely no |
| certain you are not contributing anything bad to | | | | advantage in using prefilled, branded DI cartridges |
| your tank like the items mentioned above. You | | | | unless you work for the company that sells them. |
| are preventing nuisance algae and bacteria's that | | | | Get yourself a quality RODI System and make |
| can cause a complete tank shutdown and when | | | | water whenever you need it! You can also |
| you look at the cost of all of your fish and corals | | | | make great tasting drinking water (just don't drink |
| it is approximately two hundred dollars or less well | | | | water after it goes through the DI Canister). |
| spent! | | | | You can purchase a y splitter for a few dollars to |
| Get yourself a good 4-5 Stage RODI Unit, we sell | | | | bypass the DI Canister. |
| them on our site for under $200 Canadian. As | | | | The benefits of using RODI water in your reef |
| far as maintenance goes you only need to change | | | | tank are too great to ignore and you will definitely |
| your cartridges about every 6 months although it | | | | save money in the near future. |
| is recommended to change the sediment filter | | | | |