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RO/DI question

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by mikesams05p71, Apr 26, 2013.

  1. mikesams05p71

    mikesams05p71 Well-Known ReefKeeper

    634
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    So I picked up a Spectrapure 4 stage ro/di from a member on here. Just to be safe I ordered and replaced the sediment and the carbon block filters. I am still getting 14 tds after the new filters. My tap water is only 150 tds. This is my first ro system...Do the DI now?
     
  2. blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Ratings:
    +738 / 5 / -0
    Tap water isn't too high, where is the TDS 14 at? After the first 2 stages ( sediment and carbon), or after the RO membrane? Make sure you're checking after the RO membrane but before it goes through the DI resin. You want to make sure the RO membrane is working efficiently or you will quickly exhaust any new DI resin. You can try to flush the membrane, or it may be time to just replace it.
    On my system I have a similar incoming TDS and it gets reduced to 3-4 TDS by the prefilters and RO membrane. Then the DI resin reduces that to zero.
     
  3. mikesams05p71

    mikesams05p71 Well-Known ReefKeeper

    634
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    I was checking the "product" water coming out. So after it has passed through all filters is when I'm checking. My DI resin is 3/4 black with maybe 1/4 of it being brown. So according to that is that good? I will have to look up have to flush the membrane. Guy I got it from said the unit was only 6 months old so I was hoping I was good to go lol.
     
  4. blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Ratings:
    +738 / 5 / -0
    How long did you let it run? It may take a little while to get the TDS down to zero. I know my unit takes a few minutes before the output water is 0.
    Either way I would flush the membrane and check what the water is after the RO and before DI. I think the membrane alone should be outputting something lower than 14 if its working properly.
     
  5. mikesams05p71

    mikesams05p71 Well-Known ReefKeeper

    634
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    I just let it fill up 20 gallons. Still reading 14...
     
  6. mikesams05p71

    mikesams05p71 Well-Known ReefKeeper

    634
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    I'm looking online now at how to flush the membrane.Hopefully I will figure it out
     
  7. MXC207 Well-Known ReefKeeper

    634
    Cedar Rapids
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    New filters always read higher at first. I just let my "finish" product line go into a drain for 4-6 hours and its usually good. Also, is it coming out pretty good at the end or is it not producing very much? I've had very bad luck lately with carbon blocks clogging and so its not producing much/if any water and the tds is up. So I'm basically on a rotation schedule where I just swap it out and let the old one dry out then replace it again, even though they were both brand new..
     
  8. Kpotter2 Expert Reefkeeper

    North liberty, IA
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    Was the system in use up until you got it? If not it may have dried out the membrane and that will kill the membrane, because they can't dry out. They should be put in a vacuum pack bag or stored in the frig. You can buy100gpd Membranes on Ebay for 25 bucks. Just remember if you change your membrane size you will also need to buy/change out your Membrane Flow Restrictor. You will find this inside the elbow fitting to the inlet to the Membrane or it could be an inline restrictor. Filmtec is a good brand and a standard among most R/O units, but GE and others are fine too. They are often manufactured by Filmtec and sold as something else.

    I got my R/O system 2nd hand as a Coralife 50gpd and bought a new membrane and filter combo for 55.00 one ebay and bought the 100gpd flow restrictor too. They are like 5 bucks.

    If the membrane is old or if it did dry out then it will need replace. Cleaning it by flushing it probably will not work. But its worth a try.

    Kyle

     
  9. mikesams05p71

    mikesams05p71 Well-Known ReefKeeper

    634
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0

    It sounded like it was still in use. It still had water in each cartridge. As far as rate I'm not sure what normal flow rate of the product water should be. I did the test where I timed the output of waste and product for 1 min...Got 500 ml on waste and 100 on product. So that's 5 to 1 right? What does I mean I do with the restricter? I appreciate any inputs. I'm just glad I made the splurge and bought one of these things. NO MORE TRIPS TO HY-VEE!! lol
     

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