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So reverse osmosis is a process that distills water right?

Does a Water distiller and RO do the same thing?

†Aquapickle†

Nope. Distilled water is boiled and the steam is collected leaving behind the impurities. Good distilled water has been boiled and cooled many times over nonreactive materials like glass. This method is not possible for use in most saltwater tanks since simply boiling it in a regular pot on a stove is not sufficient.
RO water is purified by being forced through an RO membrane. The membrane is a fine filter that only allows h20 molecules to pass. The water is also usually passed through larger filters and carbon first and then often run through a deionization chamber afterward before being used. These are easy to setup in your home and the only maintenance is to replace the cartridges every 3-6months and the membrane every few years. Mileage varies with amount of use and how hard your water is.

Both types can produce 99.99% pure water. Cheaper RO systems will produce water with a high level of contaminates. Especially if they don't use deionization. Most though reach at least 95%.

Ok, but i read that you could go pick up distilled water at the store for your SW tanks.

†Aquapickle†

You can pick up 1g containers of distilled water at the store but you can't make your own. That makes it pretty difficult to use on a normal size tank. A 55g is a pretty common size and if you do a 14g water change you would have to buy and haul 14 containers of water which weigh a total of ~112lbs usually at least monthly if not weekly. For my 20g it works alright. I use distilled most of the time but I only need 5g. For anything much bigger it's not a very good option. RO water is also considerably cheaper. From the store it's $.25 per gallon for RO and from your own system is only a few cents a gallon versus around $.50-$.80 per gallon for distilled. That's why aside from a few nano tank owners most get their own RO system. You can use distilled if you really want to but it's not a very good option unless we're dealing with rather small tanks.

What price range do RO system fall into?

†Aquapickle†

You can get a system off ebay for around $80-$100 and sometimes around $60 if your lucky. Aqua-safe are some of the most popular http://stores.ebay.com/The-Aqua-Safe-Pure-Water-Shop_W0QQfcdZ2QQfromZR10QQftsZ2QQsaselZ70548722QQsofpZ0QQtZkm
Filter direct usually rates a close 2nd http://stores.ebay.com/Filter-Direct-store_W0QQfcdZ2QQfromZR10QQftsZ2QQsaselZ29465710QQsofpZ0QQtZkm.

People have been using those systems for years with no complaints.

I agree with sham, the aquasafe RO/DI unit is a GREAT unit for the price. RO/DI is really the best way to purify your water, IMO.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients