Comparison
BRS 5-stage Premium Plus 75 GPD vs SpectraPure MaxCap 90 GPD
Head-to-head of the Bulk Reef Supply 5-stage 75 GPD and the SpectraPure MaxCap. Membrane rejection rates, waste ratios, real per-gallon cost, and which one to buy depending on your tap water.
The contenders
Side A
BRS 5-stage Premium Plus 75 GPD
Standard reef RODI
Side B
SpectraPure MaxCap 90 GPD
DI-stretching premium build
Spec-by-spec
| Spec | BRS 5-stage Premium Plus 75 GPD | SpectraPure MaxCap 90 GPD |
|---|---|---|
Rated production | 75 GPD at 65 psi | 90 GPD at 65 psi |
Membrane brand | Dow Filmtec 75 GPD | Dow Filmtec 90 GPD with SpectraPure custom potting |
Stated rejection rate | 96-97% | 98%+ |
Stages | Sediment + 2× carbon block + RO + DI | Sediment + carbon + carbon block + RO + DI (5 stage); MaxCap adds 2-stage DI for 6 |
Waste:product ratio | ~3:1 (manual flush valve included) | ~3:1 to 1:1 depending on DI choice |
Pressure gauge included | Yes — glycerin filled inline | Yes |
TDS meter included | Yes — dual inline (input + output) | Optional add-on |
Base price (street) | ~$180-225 | ~$320 (MaxCap base) |
Annual filter cost (avg city water) | $70-90 for sediment + 2 carbon + DI | $50-70 — DI lasts longer due to higher rejection |
Ideal water source | Chlorine or chloramine city water; most well water | Same; high-chloramine or high-TDS tap water especially |
Which one for which situation
Tap water under 200 TDS, chlorine only
Pick: BRS 5-stage Premium Plus 75 GPD
BRS at $180 produces 0 TDS water with the same Dow Filmtec membrane the premium kit uses. The extra rejection on SpectraPure barely matters when your tap is already low. Save the money for salt.
Tap water over 300 TDS or chloramine-treated
Pick: SpectraPure MaxCap 90 GPD
SpectraPure's membrane and 2-stage DI burn through resin much more slowly when the input is high-TDS. The break-even point is usually 12-18 months — after that SpectraPure costs less to operate.
First-time RODI buyer learning the hobby
Pick: BRS 5-stage Premium Plus 75 GPD
BRS includes the TDS meter inline, the pressure gauge, the manual flush valve, and replacement filters cost less. The instructions on bulkreefsupply.com are excellent. Upgrade to SpectraPure membrane later if you want.
Mixing 100+ gallons per week (large system / multiple tanks)
Pick: SpectraPure MaxCap 90 GPD
DI savings compound at high volume. The MaxCap's better waste ratio also saves on water bills. SpectraPure pays for itself in under a year at this volume.
Where to buy
BRS 5-stage Premium Plus 75 GPD
BRS 5-Stage Plus RO/DI system
Bulk Reef Supply's flagship 5-stage RO/DI. Standard build for most reefers.
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Related calculators & references
Sources & references
- 01BRS 5-stage Premium Plus 75 GPD product pagehttps://www.bulkreefsupply.com/5-stage-premium-plus-75-gpd-ro-di-system-bulk-reef-supply-bundle.html
- 02SpectraPure MaxCap product pagehttps://www.spectrapure.com/Reverse-Osmosis-Systems-MaxCap.html
- 03BRS RODI buyer's guidehttps://www.bulkreefsupply.com/content/post/brstv-buyers-guide-to-reverse-osmosis-rodi-systems
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