R/O vs Distilled

[jcarlsen]

So, I've been keeping my cham for about a half year now, and I'm wondering if it might be more convenient to just get an R/O filter instead of buying a few gallons of distilled every week. The cost doesn't bother me so much as the inconvenience of it all, plus the added recycling I'm taking out.

I've looked at some posts about R/O filters on here, but the most recent ones I've looked through have been from maybe...2014 at the latest, so I'm wondering if some new device is out that I don't know about or something.

Opinions? Folks with R/O systems, do you know if you've saved any money or lost money going that route?

 

[Blang]

I only use ro water & for me its more convenient, no jugs to carry in or out to recycle every week! & I can make ro water when I need to!

 

[jcarlsen]

I only use ro water & for me its more convenient, no jugs to carry in or out to recycle every week! & I can make ro water when I need to!

What's your setup like? I live in an apartment, so I was looking for something small enough to store and hook up to my sink as needed.

 

[NERVOUS]

I'm interested in making this change too - from store-bought distilled water to home-made RO water. Coincidentally, I'm in the process of researching whole home water softening / filtration systems. Considering getting an RO/DI system in addition to the water softening and drinking water systems.

Curious to hear what others here have to say about using RO vs Distilled water. I use a MistKing system. Refilling the reservoir isn't too bad, but switching to RO water would be more convenient.

 

[nightanole]

You might want to do a cost analysis. Remember that RO setups are a 1:4-1:7 ratio of filtered water to water down the drain. So if your bottled water is 25 cents a gallon, you better make sure your water bill is less than 2.5 cents a gallon or its not cost effective, especially with a $200 upfront cost for a 5 stage unit. Your other problem is you must leave it hooked up all the time and its only going to be making 2 gallons an hour or so. You might be better off just driving down to the fill your own water station and filling a 5 gallon jug for 2 bucks. I only use 3 gallons a week so you are talking the life of the cham just to make up the $200 filter cost.

 

[brownie64]

I bought a portable R.O. system it uses a lot less water because it don't stay hooked up all the time, and only runs when you need to make water. Verses it running every time you get a drink. I still can't say if it is much cheaper I haven't got my first water bill yet. I would say it waste about 4-5 gallons of water for every gallon it makes. But it's the convenience that sells it for me like was said you don't have to make all the trips to the store, and you have it anytime you need it. I got a 5 stage system off e-bay for $99.00 shipped.http://www.ebay.com/itm/REPLACEMENT...921281?hash=item27df59af41:g:i8cAAOxy0zhTLcEJ

 

[Pap]

I have an RO/DI system that I use for my reef tank so I also use it for my chameleon... Check out www.bulkreefsupply.com they make the best RO/DI systems imo... Super high quality units and really reasonable prices.. They come with a bunch of options to plumb them.. They are truly easy to set up and use... You can actually make your entire set up fully automated by using their auto shut off valve... Place a float valve in your misting reservoir and never touch it again.! www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[Carlton]

You might want to do a cost analysis. Remember that RO setups are a 1:4-1:7 ratio of filtered water to water down the drain. So if your bottled water is 25 cents a gallon, you better make sure your water bill is less than 2.5 cents a gallon or its not cost effective, especially with a $200 upfront cost for a 5 stage unit. Your other problem is you must leave it hooked up all the time and its only going to be making 2 gallons an hour or so. You might be better off just driving down to the fill your own water station and filling a 5 gallon jug for 2 bucks. I only use 3 gallons a week so you are talking the life of the cham just to make up the $200 filter cost.

There are RO systems that return the "waste" water back into your house plumbing so there's a lot less waste. I have one that only fills a 1 gallon tank that fits under my kitchen sink. I find I use the RO water for drinking and for all my pets, so it isn't just the cham that uses that water. But in my case there is no place to buy any kind of filtered water so it makes sense for me.

 

[Blang]

What's your setup like? I live in an apartment, so I was looking for something small enough to store and hook up to my sink as needed.

in an
Apartment! I hook mine up to the kitchen faucet and drain waste water in one side of sink & ro water into 5 gallon bucket on other side sink basin & away I go! I got mine at Htgsupply

 

[brownie64]

I have an RO/DI system that I use for my reef tank so I also use it for my chameleon... Check out www.bulkreefsupply.com they make the best RO/DI systems imo... Super high quality units and really reasonable prices.. They come with a bunch of options to plumb them.. They are truly easy to set up and use... You can actually make your entire set up fully automated by using their auto shut off valve... Place a float valve in your misting reservoir and never touch it again.! www.bulkreefsupply.com

I had a Di filter on my R.O. system at first, but took it off because after some research I found the Di filter filters the water so pure that it makes the water too acidic. Therefore causing the water to take minerals out of your chams body therefore making it unhealthy. I know people aren't supposed to drink Di water. When you put your salt in it you replace the minerals your fish need, but as far as I can tell your not doing the same for your cham. Something to think about.

 

[jcarlsen]

You might want to do a cost analysis. Remember that RO setups are a 1:4-1:7 ratio of filtered water to water down the drain. So if your bottled water is 25 cents a gallon, you better make sure your water bill is less than 2.5 cents a gallon or its not cost effective, especially with a $200 upfront cost for a 5 stage unit. Your other problem is you must leave it hooked up all the time and its only going to be making 2 gallons an hour or so. You might be better off just driving down to the fill your own water station and filling a 5 gallon jug for 2 bucks. I only use 3 gallons a week so you are talking the life of the cham just to make up the $200 filter cost.

SO one thing I forgot to mention is the water bill is covered in our rent, as is heat. We really lucked out. So I guess my expenses would be getting R/O filters replaced?

 

[brownie64]

SO one thing I forgot to mention is the water bill is covered in our rent, as is heat. We really lucked out. So I guess my expenses would be getting R/O filters replaced?

They only need replaced about every year depending on your water quality. And the membrane about every three years. You can get about a 6-8 year supply on e-bay for around 70-80 bucks.

 

[Blang]

What's your setup like? I live in an apartment, so I was looking for something small enough to store and hook up to my sink as needed.

Apartment setting! Not hooked up all the time! I also bought an inline TDs meter that monitors the in & out lines & makes 0 ro water

 

[Blang]

So, I've been keeping my cham for about a half year now, and I'm wondering if it might be more convenient to just get an R/O filter instead of buying a few gallons of distilled every week. The cost doesn't bother me so much as the inconvenience of it all, plus the added recycling I'm taking out.

I've looked at some posts about R/O filters on here, but the most recent ones I've looked through have been from maybe...2014 at the latest, so I'm wondering if some new device is out that I don't know about or something.

Opinions? Folks with R/O systems, do you know if you've saved any money or lost money going that route?

Htgsupply 100gpd

 

[Carlton]

I had a Di filter on my R.O. system at first, but took it off because after some research I found the Di filter filters the water so pure that it makes the water too acidic. Therefore causing the water to take minerals out of your chams body therefore making it unhealthy. I know people aren't supposed to drink Di water. When you put your salt in it you replace the minerals your fish need, but as far as I can tell your not doing the same for your cham. Something to think about.

But, if the cham is eating properly gutloaded food and getting proper mineral supplements how likely is this? They are not soaking or immersed in the Di water like fish are.

 

[Nicholasdeaan]

IMO tap water does just fine if your city has decent waters. Rain water in their natural habitats picks up toxins and pollution in the air. I also see people shower their chams frequently and showers typically don't have filtered or R/O water. Another thing many people use hot water to mist their chams and I'm going to guess they don't boil purified water to achieve this. It most likely comes from a faucet. I do so and don't have any problems.

 

[Blang]

IMO tap water does just fine if your city has decent waters. Rain water in their natural habitats picks up toxins and pollution in the air. I also see people shower their chams frequently and showers typically don't have filtered or R/O water. Another thing many people use hot water to mist their chams and I'm going to guess they don't boil purified water to achieve this. It most likely comes from a faucet. I do so and don't have any problems.

But if you use regular water you'll plug your mistking misting system nozzles! As far as acid or alkiline after going through the ro unit I haven't checked the pH of the water but its probably as pure as you can get without running the water past a UV sterilizer!

 

[NERVOUS]

IMO tap water does just fine if your city has decent waters. Rain water in their natural habitats picks up toxins and pollution in the air. I also see people shower their chams frequently and showers typically don't have filtered or R/O water. Another thing many people use hot water to mist their chams and I'm going to guess they don't boil purified water to achieve this. It most likely comes from a faucet. I do so and don't have any problems.

The main reason I use purified water is to prevent mineral deposits from forming on the MistKing nozzles; which could potentially clog them. I also use distilled water (warmed in the microwave) in my handheld pressurized spray bottle. Using exclusively distilled water means I'll never have mineral deposits on my MistKing nozzles, on the walls of my enclosures, etc.

From what I've gathered thus far (through my whole home water filtration research), it only makes sense to go the RO/DI route if you have a saltwater aquarium; especially in the case of reef tanks - with live corals, inverts, etc. You can plumb the RO/DI system directly to the automatic top-off reservoir and never have to worry about water levels.

For my purposes, distilled water is ideal... And it's easier (for me) to just buy a few gallons at a time once a month from the grocery store. If I had multiple Chameleon enclosures or a saltwater aquarium my opinion might be different, but I don't... So, for the time being I'll use store bought distilled water.

 

[brownie64]

But, if the cham is eating properly gutloaded food and getting proper mineral supplements how likely is this? They are not soaking or immersed in the Di water like fish are.

Apparently from the research I did some say it's very possible in human beings some say it's not, so why take the chance in chameleons. I realize they are not immersed in the water but they do drink it, so I'm assuming this happens from the inside.

 

[Nicholasdeaan]

But if you use regular water you'll plug your mistking misting system nozzles! As far as acid or alkiline after going through the ro unit I haven't checked the pH of the water but its probably as pure as you can get without running the water past a UV sterilizer!

The main reason I use purified water is to prevent mineral deposits from forming on the MistKing nozzles; which could potentially clog them. I also use distilled water (warmed in the microwave) in my handheld pressurized spray bottle. Using exclusively distilled water means I'll never have mineral deposits on my MistKing nozzles, on the walls of my enclosures, etc.

From what I've gathered thus far (through my whole home water filtration research), it only makes sense to go the RO/DI route if you have a saltwater aquarium; especially in the case of reef tanks - with live corals, inverts, etc. You can plumb the RO/DI system directly to the automatic top-off reservoir and never have to worry about water levels.

For my purposes, distilled water is ideal... And it's easier (for me) to just buy a few gallons at a time once a month from the grocery store. If I had multiple Chameleon enclosures or a saltwater aquarium my opinion might be different, but I don't... So, for the time being I'll use store bought distilled water.

Yeah you both make good points. I forget that it can plug the nozzles on the misters. I hand mist with a hand help pressur pump so I don't have this problem. Doesn't hurt to to use it! I must say, if you're microwaving water in a plastic mister bottle, be cautious of whether or not yours contains BPAs. Heating the plastic can give them off into your water. Only being you make it very hot! How much are these water distillery systems everyone talks about?