- This is an RODI filter.
dirty tap water goes in here.
And clean filter water comes out here.
RODI stands for reverse osmosis deionization.
RODI systems are used for making salt water
and replacing evaporated tank water.
Every beginner needs an RODI filter.
Here's how an RODI filter works.
This end attaches to an indoor faucet or an outdoor spigot.
The first chamber houses a sediment filter.
It removes anything that might be floating in the water,
just like a sponge filter or a filter sock.
In the next chamber, activated carbon
removes chemicals, odors and colors from the water.
Things like chlorine, pesticides and chloramines.
Activated carbon is so porous that 0.14 ounces,
less than the weight of a first class letter
contains as much surface area as an entire football field.
And it is all those pores that trap the chemicals
and remove them from your tap water.
The next chamber, or chambers,
contain your reverse osmosis membrane.
It's a semipermeable plastic-like sheet
that is rolled up tight.
Using the water pressure from your tap,
the smaller water molecules are forced through
that semipermeable RO membrane,
while the larger contaminants like salts, heavy metals
and a ton of different chemicals, can't pass through.
All of the clean water enters the final filtration chamber
and all of the dirty water exits
from the black RO tubing here.
The final stage contains deionization resin,
which are ionically-charged microplastic beads.
These resins remove any remaining ions from the water
leaving completely purified H2O.
Every beginner should have an RODI filter.
Here are your options for filling your tank
with salt water and replacing evaporated water.
First is to get it directly from the ocean.
Most of us don't live on the ocean.
And for those of us who do, it is a huge pain.
The water may be contaminated
and it may be illegal in your area to do so.
Option number two is to buy pre-made salt water
from your local fish store.
At $1 per gallon, it will cost you over $400 per year,
plus gas and labor transporting the water
back and forth for a 70 gallon tank.
Option number three is to buy distilled water
from your grocery store.
It's expensive, and you'll be lugging
a lot of one gallon jugs home.
Option number four, just use tap water.
While there are a small minority
of hobbyists who can get away with it,
you will probably experience long-term negative consequences
and we do not recommend doing this.
Option number five is to buy RODI water
from your local fish store
and at 50 cents a gallon you'll pay over $200 a year
when making it at home will cost you under $10 a year.
Option number six, just by an RODI filter.
For a one time purchase, you'll be able to make
all of the water you need for a 70 gallon aquarium
for well under $10 a year.
Choosing the right RODI filter
does not have to be complicated.
All RODI filters have the same four core elements,
a sediment filter, a carbon filter,
a reverse osmosis filter and DI resin.
But there are add-ons that can increase
your clean water output, reduce waste,
increase your water pressure,
inform you when it's time to change your filters,
or just beef up the overall filtration.
The beauty of RODI filter systems
is they are completely upgradeable.
So you can start with a less expensive,
more simple RODI filter and then purchase add-ons
over time as your situation requires.
Is your RODI filter producing water too slowly?
Get a pressure gauge to check the water pressure
and/or add a second RO membrane.
Low water pressure?
Add a booster pump.
Too many chlorines and chloramines in your tap water?
Add a second carbon chamber.
For your first RODI filter,
just start with a four stage system.
There are three great beginner options
for your first RODI filter.
You could choose the 4 Stage Value Plus
150 gallon per day system.
Or, if you don't want the inline TDS meter
or pressure gauge, purchase the 4 Stage
Value 150 gallon per day RODI system.
Or for the least expensive and pared-down version,
the 4 Stage Value 75 gallon per day works just fine.
We'll put links below to all three of those options
but whichever you choose, set up is super easy.
The red line goes into the water source.
The black line goes into the drain
and the blue line is the clean water
that goes into a bucket or trash can for collection.
To install on a kitchen or bathroom faucet,
use the faucet diverter valve and adapter kit as necessary.
Remove the mesh filter from the faucet
and screw on the diverter valve.
Unscrew the compression nut
and slide it over the red tubing.
Push the red RO tubing securely over the barbed output
and screw the compression nut back into place.
To remove RO tubing from any push connect fitting,
hold the retention ring tightly against the fitting
on both sides and pull the tubing out.
Connecting to a utility sink
or a hose spigot is even easier.
Just screw on the hose adapter
and insert the RO tubing into the push fitting.
The only thing easier than setting up
the RODI filter is operating it.
If your filter comes with a flush valve,
place it in the parallel open position.
Turn on the water and let it flush out
the RO membrane for one to two minutes.
Then turn the flush valve
to the perpendicular closed position.
Flushing the RO membrane before and after use
will get rid of a lot of heavy metals
and prolong the membrane life.
Be sure to set a timer as a reminder
to turn off the system, or you can to end up
with a huge puddle of water on the floor.
Before turning off the water flow,
be sure to turn that flush valve back
to the parallel open position
and flush for one to two minutes.
You made a few batches of water,
and it's just not performing how you thought it would.
Is it already time to change out the filters?
In fact, you are probably making
one of these super common mistakes
that could reduce your total water output by half.
Find out if you're doing something wrong
by watching this video right here.
And as always everyone, thanks for watching.
Happy reefing, be well.
We'll see you next time.