Converting RO/DI to just DI 10/24/06
Hi All,
<Hello>
I'm upgrading from a 90ga to a 600ga tank. I've been using a 4-stage RO/DI system for treating the water (1 micron sediment prefilter, 0.5 micron carbon prefilter, R/O, and finally a DI cartridge). I do a 10% water change weekly. <Good> The amount of waste water from the RO process has always bothered me; however, I wanted the best from my reef inhabitants. Now that I'm increasing the size of the tank, the waste water will be enormous. I know from reading this site that you're not fans of R/O for the same reason. <Personally I am a big fan.>  I do want to be a good steward of the earth's resources. <Choice to be made here.>  Can I just bypass the RO unit? Will this have a substantially negative impact water quality? <Yes> Should I also eliminate the DI cartridge and run the output through a two-stage Kati-Ani unit?
I eager await your response.
Michael
<From an environmental point of view I believe the RO/DI unit is much better, at least in the area I live in that has lots of fresh water and processes waste water and returns it to the Great Lakes.  I can tell you from experience that you will only get 20-25 gallons of quality water out of a DI only unit, then this unit has to go in the garbage, back to a land fill where it will sit for many years/decades. Find a use for the waste water from the RO unit, watering plants/garden, washing cloths, etc rather than through out plastic cylinders full of the same stuff that goes out with the waste water.>
<Chris>

ANI 10 Ion Exchange   9/26/06
Dear Crew,
<Gary>
First Thank you for the hundreds (lost count) of great articles and advice I have read on your website.
<Welcome>
I was just given an ANI 10 Ion Exchange unit and had a few basic questions for you.  I know this unit can be used to filter my tap water to make it 'reef ready' but I noticed on the description of the item, that it can filter 'saltwater'.  Can this unit be used as a continuous filter directly hooked up to my reef tank to polish/filter the water?
<Not really... I would NOT do this>
  Will the deionization process be detrimental to my livestock or biological process?
<Too little flow, too much chance of making the water unsuitable...>
I am currently using a RO filter system now, would it be beneficial to run the output water from my RO unit into this to double clean the water?
<Likely no real need, but no detriment in doing so. Bob Fenner>
Thank You,
John
29gal Reef/fish tank
Remora Pro skimmer
2x65w power compacts
plenum sandbed
mostly polyps and mushrooms
1 yellow tang, 1 clown, 1 coral banded shrimp
no refugium
<I would add one>

Recharging Cation/Anion Filter Units - 08/04/06
I'm considering purchasing a Kati/Ani unit and have read through your FAQ's and articles.  I understand Muriatic acid and lye are needed for recharging.  Lewis Red Devil Lye was recently discontinued by its manufacturer.  Lye is used in the manufacture of methamphetamine and recent government regulations now restrict its sale, along with the antihistamine, pseudoephedrine.  So how would someone go about obtaining the necessary lye?  Is there another alternative to lye?  Should I consider another brand that doesn't require lye?
<<Mmm, all good questions Cindy...but I won't waste your time speculating...  I'm going to refer you to the Marine Depot Forum site (http://forum.marinedepot.com/Default.aspx).  Both Anthony Calfo and Steven Pro have discussion threads there, and both are avid proponents/users of these specific water filters and will be able to give you sound advice/alternatives re these issues>>
Cindy
<<Regards, EricR>>

Kati/Ani Filter  02/12/06
Where can I purchase a Kati Ani unit. Any info? <www.premiumaquatics.com should have those.  James (Salty Dog)>
Thank you,
Dwaine

Re: Kati/Ani Filter   2/14/06
Thank you for your reply I still cannot find any Kati Ani units these are
German made. <Did you mean "find one that "is" German made?  If so, you will have to google search for one.  James (Salty Dog)>
Dwaine <<"Anionic, Cationic Type". RMF>>

DIY "Kati-Ani" type 10/28/05
Hello
<Hi there>
I hope all are well
<Yes, thanks>
I am looking for information on building a DIY "Kati-Ani" type Deionization filter
<A worthy project>
I found the Spectra Pure website, Bulk resin.  Any other companies that you would recommend for the resins?
<Mmm, not w/o doing a bunch of research re... short answer, no>
I plan on buying in the 1 gallon size.  The water will be used for a reef tank.  I have a few questions on the proper way to set it up.  How many stages do I need?
<... likely three or four... one to remove sanitizer/s, the anion, cation, and a mechanical...>
Is 2 enough?  When I read "mixed bed resin" is that the 2 resins mixed together.
<Yes>
On the resins the Kati & Ani is there any other resin I would need?
<For what purpose/s?>
Should I run the block carbon filter before or after the resin filter?
<Before>
Do you know of any websites that show how to build this type of DIY filter setup, or can you tell me what I need to do to build it?
<Nope... you might peruse OzReef.org>
Is there anything that needs to be done to the filtered water
<Mmm, not off-hand, but I would store, aerate/circulate, heat it and test before using>
before it is put into my tank for top off water?  How do you know when it is time to change or recharge the resins?
<Testing>
Would a TDS meter work for this?
<Could>
Would fluidized sand filter work, change out sand for the resins or is there something better out there to use?
<Could work... but likely other, clear contact chambers that are easier to "get into" are what you'd rather use>
Bla Bla Bla
<Black sheep, have you any wool...>
Please point me in the right direction
<This way>
Thanks
Ken-aka Shortbus
<Welcome Bob Fenner, aka Dogfish>

Kati-Ani info, and water storage  9/13/05
Hello, I was searching your site on information on storing water softened by one of our "Reionator" systems, and found some threads on cation/anion exchange.  That is exactly how our system works; it is a water conditioning system that utilizes a patented multi-resin bed (both cations and anions) that not only removes the hardness, but contaminants like chlorine, nitrates and sulfates to name a few.  It is regenerated with potassium chloride so that the water is sodium-free.  If any of your readers are interested in obtaining more information, they can email me at alpine_water@msn.com <mailto:alpine_water@msn.com> or visit our website at www.alpinewatertech.com<http://www.alpinewatertech.com/>.  The patent was obtained in 1987, and the Reionator is a revolutionary product worth investigating.
We also sell a terrific 5-stage reverse osmosis system that has a pressure gauge, membrane flush, and designer chrome faucet.  In our area we sell it for $259.00 including installation, but would drop-ship it to anyone to install themselves for $175.00.
Back to my original concern...do you know about storing softened water?  Any idea what the shelf life would be?  Thank you very much <Water needs to be stored in a darkened area, and preferably cool. I would minimize any air space in the container, that is, fill it up to the brim and seal tightly.  As far as shelf life, it depends on the coolness of the storage area and the purity of the water being stored.  James (Salty Dog)>

Treating Tap  08/08/2005
Dear WWM Crew,
<Guy>
I want to start purifying my tap water before use.  After reading
the RO FAQs and other articles until bug-eyed, I would like to
avoid RO because of the too much waste water issue and avoid mixed
bed DI resins because of the inability to recharge issue.  Based on the FAQ information, I plan to go with a sediment filter-carbon
filter-two bed Kati/Ani DI system (assuming I can find that brand,
Dr. Foster & Smith are only listing the Ani on the website and a
preliminary Google search has yet to turn up another supplier),
followed by aeration and heating.
<Okay>
My question is if the cation resin filter should come before the
anion resin filter or vice versa or does it matter?
<Mmm, depends to a small extent on what your source water has more of to remove, but basically no... does not matter. I do encourage you to look at the "Kold-Steril" PolyBioMarine technology if you think you might want to make a long/er term investment... Bob Fenner>
Best regards,
Guy

- ANI Filtration -
Crew,
Thanks in advance for your help. I was perusing the site recently and saw some info on an ANI ion exchange unit. Thought it would be an excellent idea to purchase one. There was mention of using a carbon pre-filter with this unit. Me being the unhandy man that I am, please tell me how could hook up a carbon pre-filter to this unit. Once again thank you for all of your invaluable information and help.
Mike
<Really should be fairly simple. Both units will have an input and output side, with a threaded fitting. Using tubing and fittings of the appropriate size, you will connect your feed water to the input side of the carbon pre-filter, and the output side of that to the input side of the ANI unit. From there, you can plumb the output side of the ANI unit into a bucket or whatever you will use to store your water in. Doesn't need to be complicated or soldered copper. Simple vinyl tubing will do - all stuff that can be picked up at Home Depot. Cheers, J -- >

KATI/ANI Unit Woes
Hello one and all-
<Twice in one day! Back again, Ryan>
I was looking you some advice from you fine people. I had recently purchased a Kati/Ani unit for my 125gal fowler(170gal total system). System has been running for 2 years. I have 2 MAG 12 pumps for circulating the water.
For new water when I was using the deionizer) I add "Prime" chlorine remover, aerate, heat for a few days, then add salt then buffer if needed. I would check ph and alk.  I have had dozens of snails in the tank for about a year and now they have almost all died over the past 2 months. Plus my xenia that had been growing like a weed just fell apart. Now the tank has turned into a huge Cyanobacteria farm. All I can think of that has changed is using the new Kati/Ani unit. The resin in the unit has only changed color about 1/3 of the way after running a hundred or so gallons thru it, so I don't think that the resins  would be a problem.  Plus I have a monitor on the water output. I am thinking maybe my process for treating the deionized water is flawed somehow and a ph or alkalinity swing has killed off the snails and xenia.  Could you share with me how you would suggest preparing and testing it?
<I have never used a KATI/ANI unit, but I found a great article about preparing water using one:
http://www.pmas.org/pro/ credit due to Mr. Steven Pro, of course.  His steps are detailed, efficient, and his success evident.>
I have read before that using "Prime" chlorine remover can make some water tests inaccurate? Would it throw of my ph and alk tests? <Never heard this, perhaps the manufacturer can verify?  Message boards like ReefCentral.com chemistry forum would be your best bet on this type of subject.>
I also upgraded from a Berlin turbo skimmer to a Precision Marine Bullet 1. Easily get a cup a week of pretty dark skimmate. <Great>
Are there any  tips you might have for using a deionizer? I have switched back to good old tap water for now until I am sure what is going on. Not sure if this is even part of the problem. My guess is that I should stick with the deionized water because now it seems like it is getting worse. <I would change as little as possible...and do lots of small water changes until you get a handle on this.>
Also- What color would a poly-filter turn if there were phosphates? When I use one it always turn brown pretty fast.
<Poly filter color chart is on the back of the package...sorry bud but I'm at work! (Shh....)>
I am poor at putting thoughts into words, sorry if this is e-mail wanders all over the place.
<No worries.  You'll get this under control, just keep eliminating possibilities and the result will be the cause.>
Thanks for your time.  Dennis

Kati Ani deionizers... DIY units 9/20/04
Anthony,
I know you like the Kati  & Ani units for water purification.
<yep been using them for over 10 years>
I am trying to locate a Kati & Ani 2 but am having no luck. Dr. Fosters only have the Kati 10 but have the Ani 2. I did a search on Google but couldn't find anyone else that sells the Kati & Ani units. Any ideas? Thanks Pat
<no worries... better still is the bulk resin for DIY canisters or Kati Ani replacement. Spectra-pure sells them at:
http://www.spectrapure.com/St_replac_p5.htm
best of luck, Anthony>

Google, Google, Google till it hurts! Kati Ani dealer 11/9/04
Hello All!!
<howdy>
Anthony, in response to a deionization question yesterday you mentioned that you personally use the brand Kati Ani from Germany.  Are you referring to Kati Ani generically or is that the actual brand name.  I asked because I have seen many other recommendations on this product before but cannot find a distributor or a manufacturer's website.  I believe it is made by AquaTech, but I cannot fine their website.  If you have any info to point me in the right direction I would be quite appreciative.
Thank you kindly, Corey
<my apologies for the title to this e-mail, my friend... but I am rather frustrated today - feeling like an enabler - with friends/queries from folks with seemingly little effort to do a simple keyword search to help themselves <sigh>. To help you and illustrate a point... in response to your question, I simply went to the google search tool which is plastered all over our website and well known at large. I typed in "Kati Ani price" (three common words that would appear on a page with this product if it existed out there somewhere)... and the very first page that came up has a link to:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=4499&N=2004+22789
ironically... this merchant is also an advertiser. Our only advertiser on WWM at present: Drs Foster and Smith/LiveAquaria.com
I'm sure there are other merchant of this product out there... google till it hurts, bro. Anthony :)>

Google searching/ Kati Ani 11/10/04
I sincerely apologize for your impending frustration at my question on a Kati Ani unit.  The site (Dr.FosterSmith) that you recommended I had found before querying you. I did and do search my brains out on google.  I have seen numerous units using Cation resin and Anion resins.  That why I asked if you meant Kati Ani generically as a type of unit not a brand.  I was just unsure which manufacturer you use and recommended.  Again I am truly sorry for the perceived irritation and I am grateful and understanding of the work you and the crew put into the site
<no apology needed, my friend. If any, its me being grumpy/frustrated with the instant gratification society we all live in :p On another day with less mail and more sleep, I would have been a much nicer fellow <G>... making jest or at least handling it with sarcasm :p Best of luck/life to you... and thank you for understanding, mate. Anthony>

- Deionization for Chemophobics -
Dear Sir or Madam:
I am looking or a water purification system for a 75-gallon reef aquarium.  I like the fact that deionization (DI) units are less wasteful of water but I do not want to deal with the dangerous chemicals involved with recharging DI units.  I plan to simply replace the resins when they are depleted.
(1) For my situation, which is more advantageous:  mixed-bed systems or separate KATI/ANI-type systems? <Think perhaps this is six of one, half a dozen of the other as they say... either system would provide filtered water. Individual cartridges of single resin types will last longer than a single cartridge of mixed resin.>
(2) What type of prefiltration is required for DI units? <I would use both a particulate filter as well as a carbon filter - much like a two-stage RO unit without the RO. These prefilters will extend the life of the resin cartridges.>
Thanks very much.
Regards,
Paul.
<Cheers, J -- >