Reverse Osmosis and De-Ionized water is two different processes.....with a exception of a DI filter on the RO finish end..
DI water is run thru a pre cleaner and then thru a cartridge with mixed bed resins...cation and anion resins....they exchange mineral ions for sodium ions...the mineral ions are attached to the resins....when the resins get exhausted they need to be recharged...most common way is a salt bath of solar salt used in home water softners...
the advatage of a DI system is no waste water...like a RO system..and a more mineral free water..
A RO system takes water in goes thru a pre cleaner sedimant filter..then thru a membrane..the membrane traps mineral content and has to be flushed contantly to wash minerals off the membrane..this is waste water...it takes close to 10-15 gallons of water to make 1 gallon of pure water..the rest is flush water which is no good...it goes down the drain..plus a RO system is slow....so in reality to make a 100 gallons of RO water it may take 1500 gallons of water to make it....
DI is the best way..and makes purer water..less mineral content..but you need to recharge them...you need a TDS meter to test water to see when resins are exhausted...you can get one for about 30.00 at a aquarium supply store...
this is the unit I have..I use it for makeing pure water for saltwater reef tanks..and it does a great job....
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I also have there RO unit
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I bought this one first...and got the DI unit after...the RO was to slow...
but good info here to see the difference of the 2
Al