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I recently had a thread on the General Freshwater board about lowering my pH. The end result of that is that I would like to buy a RO filter - but I don't really know much about them.

Primarily, this will be to be mixed with my hard tap water during water changes in my 29G tank, to gradually bring my pH down. If succesful, it may be used for a similar project on my second, smaller tank (18G I think).

I'm after any advice anyone can give me. What are the reputable brands? What are the 'stats' that I should be concerned with? etc etc.

Ideally, I'd like something small, towards the cheaper end of the market, and in my head (I don't know if it works like this in the real world) I'd like to connect it to my tap and get treated water when I do my weekly water change (even if I have to leave it running over night or something) and then disconnect it and store it in a cupboard until the next weeks water change. Is this possible?

I've found this link on the internet, it's at a price that I would be happy to pay, but would anyone recommend this?
http://www.ro-man.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=35&osCsid=cfa604404c286a8695c4dc60247f88ae

Is there anything else that I should consider?

The one thing that you should consider when buying and off brand RO System is the filter. Can you get replacement filters easily. Sometimes you can buy the RO but you can't find filters so be sure you can get them. You can use a big trash can as a collection container but you need to add a pump to circulate the water so it doesn't become stale. Rio pumps work will and you can put a hose on it pump the water out. The other thing RO remove all trace elements from the water so you will have to add RO conditioner to the water.

If you going to RO water you might as well RO all the water in the tank why mix it with tap water.

Djrichie
"So Long, and Thanks For All The Fish" Douglas Adams

Richie is right about the filter. Make sure you find one that you can easily get replacement filters for it.

The other thing RO remove all trace elements from the water so you will have to add RO conditioner to the water.

If you going to RO water you might as well RO all the water in the tank why mix it with tap water.

Richie, this is why he is adding some tap water back to the RO water, as it will add some trace elements back to it. No need for conditioner then. This is the way most people are using RO when using it for FW tanks.

Unless the requirements are very soft and very acidic water, then you must use straight RO and several other additives.

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There is always a bigger fish...

There is one thing to keep in mind when considering an RO unit: the ratio of RO water to throughput water you loose (and pay for) is usually 1:3 or worse. I am considering myself to get a 'Kold-steril' unit that does not waste water, certainly a consideration if living in dry areas that have to considerable length to provide residential water. My LFS is also in favor of this unit but cautions because of phosphates that are not efficiently removed with this system (in her opinion).