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Icecap RO Deionization Resin, 20lbs (Bulk Box)
SKU: IC-RI-DIRES20
- Guaranteed Zero TDS Output: Operates as a high-affinity chemical polisher to trap remaining dissolved minerals, ensuring ultra-pure water for delicate reef ecosystems.
- Virgin Mixed-Bed Formulation: Compounded strictly from 100% brand-new, un-reclaimed raw resin beads to deliver maximum ionic capacity and longevity.
- Vibrant Visual Color Change: Transitions distinctly from a deep blue/green shade to a light amber/brown tone as the internal chemical capacity becomes fully exhausted.
- Commercial 20 lb Bulk Volume: Economically scaled to provide 16 to 18 complete refills for standard 10-inch transparent twist-off RO/DI cartridges.
- Hermetic Air-Tight Packaging: Multi-layer, moisture-locking internal containment ensures the virgin media remains perfectly damp and active during extended storage.
- Universal Cartridge Architecture: Universally sized to pour perfectly into IceCap Smart RO/DI systems as well as standard 10" refillable shells from any brand.
IceCap
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IceCap Color-Changing Mixed Bed Deionization Resin — 20 lbs Bulk
The IceCap 20 lb Bulk Color-Changing Mixed Bed Deionization Resin (SKU: IC-RI-DIRES20) is an authentic, commercial-grade water purification medium distributed by CoralVue to support high-volume reef operations, maintenance route professionals, and dedicated coral farmers. While standard multi-stage reverse osmosis (RO) membranes reject up to 99% of common tap water impurities, small atomic-weight ions like silicates, phosphates, and heavy metal elements can still slip past. If left unmanaged, these residual elements quickly drive up Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), provoking devastating nuisance algae cycles. The IceCap DI resin serves as an ironclad final boundary, utilizing highly tuned cation and anion exchange beads to grab those final trace minerals and lock your output at absolute 0 TDS.
The standout financial and logistical benefit of the IC-RI-DIRES20 pack centers on its Virgin Nuclear-Grade Longevity and Value Scale. Buying media in small single-use sizes adds massive retail packaging overhead. This bulk 20 lb master pack completely bypasses that premium, delivering enough raw product to refresh a standard 10-inch transparent canister shell 16 to 18 times over. As the ionic capacity of the bed slowly depletes from the bottom up, the media undergoes a sharp visual transformation, turning from deep blue to a distinct amber brown. This explicit visual feedback eliminates the guesswork of water management, showing you exactly when it's time to repack your filter basket.
Key Features:
Prevents Destructive Algae Blooms: Stripping out silicates and phosphates stops diatom films and hair algae from taking hold in your display tank.
Clear Exhaustion Tracking: The bright color-changing interface lets you monitor your remaining filter life at a single glance through your clear canister.
Stops Hazardous Chemical Creep: Acts as a safety net against variable municipal water supplies, catching unexpected spikes in chloramines or heavy metals.
Note: This retail package includes (1) master bulk heavy-walled bag containing 20 lbs of IceCap Color-Changing DI resin. Refillable clear cartridge housings and RO canister wrenches are sold under separate water purification categories).
What’s Included:
(1) 20 lb Bulk Package of Genuine IceCap Color-Changing Mixed Bed DI Resin Media
Technical Specs:
Official Manufacturing Title: IceCap 20 lb Deionization Resin (Bulk)
SKU / Factory Part Identifier: IC-RI-DIRES20 (Alternative Manufacturing Code: RIC99000)
Media Classification Base: Virgin Nuclear-Grade Mixed-Bed Ion Exchange Resin (Cation/Anion Blend)
Visual Indicator Range: Deep Blue/Green (Fresh) to Amber/Brown (Exhausted)
Total Net Packaging Weight: 20.0 lbs (20.0lbs / ~320 oz)
Expected Maintenance Yield: Refills a standard 10” clear RO/DI insert shell approximately 16 to 18 times
Packaging Configuration: High-Barrier Air-Tight Protection Shroud
Target Water Quality Threshold: Reduces product line Total Dissolved Solids down to 0 ppm (0TDS)
While most of our equipment carries a one-year manufacturer's warranty, consumable products like fish and coral foods are not covered under traditional warranty terms due to their perishable nature and varied storage conditions. However, we fully stand behind the quality of every product we sell. If you experience any issues with your food purchase shortly after receiving it, such as concerns about freshness, packaging integrity, or product quality, please contact us at [email protected]. We're committed to making it right and will work with you to resolve any problems quickly and fairly.
Instructions:
- Turn off your source water supply line feeding your RO/DI system and open a flush valve to relieve any remaining internal water pressure.
- Use a standard universal canister wrench to unscrew your clear DI stage filter housing. Remove the refillable internal cartridge insert and pull off its top cap along with the foam sediment ring.
- Dump the exhausted, brown-colored resin out of the cartridge body into a waste basket. Rinse the interior of the empty acrylic cartridge shell with fresh RO water to clear out any stray beads or biological film.
- Insert a clean kitchen funnel into the top of the cartridge shell. Scoop the fresh IceCap bulk DI resin out of the storage bag and pour it into the tube, periodically tapping the bottom of the container flat against a hard countertop or floor. Critical Step: You must pack the resin down firmly. Tapping settles the beads, eliminating open air gaps that cause water to channel weakly through the loose media.
- Fill the column completely flush with the top rim, place the foam retention ring back onto the center post, and screw the cap back on tight.
- Re-insert the filled cartridge into your clear housing panel with the colored cap facing straight up, hand-tighten the housing, and run your RO system for 2 minutes to clear out any loose dust before collecting water.
Pro Tips:
- Pack the Resin As Tightly As Physically Possible to Stop Water Channeling. When refilling your DI cartridge, the biggest mistake you can make is leaving the resin loose inside the tube. Water always takes the path of least resistance. If the media is loosely packed, incoming water will carve narrow paths or "channels" straight through the beads, bypassing the rest of the filtration bed. This will result in your output water showing a high TDS reading long before the color of the resin actually turns brown. Tap the cartridge firmly against your counter as you fill it to settle the beads into a rock-solid, tight column.
- Divert the Initial Wave of "TDS Creep" Water to Double Your Resin Lifespan. Whenever a reverse osmosis system sits idle for a few hours, a physical phenomenon known as "TDS Creep" occurs. A small amount of salt minerals will naturally diffuse across the RO membrane, causing the first few cups of water produced during a fresh startup to read a very high TDS (often 30–60+ ppm). If this water runs directly into your DI stage, it will rapidly deplete your fresh resin. To save your media, install a simple 3-way ball valve right before your DI canister. Run the first 2 to 3 minutes of startup water straight down the sink drain, and only flip the valve toward your DI stage once the membrane output drops back down to its clean baseline.
- Store Leftover Loose Resin in an Air-Tight Snap Container to Keep It From Drying Out. Because you are managing an ultra-bulk 20 lb batch, keeping the leftover media properly sealed is critical. DI resin contains a high percentage of internal moisture that keeps the ion-exchange sites active. If the beads are left exposed to the open air, they will dry out, react with atmospheric carbon dioxide, and lose their filtration capacity completely. Once you open the master bag, transfer any remaining resin into a heavy-duty, gasket-sealed plastic storage bucket or snap-tight container. Keep it stored in a cool, dark cabinet away from ambient heating sources.