RO maintenance

Rae C. · 10/01/2007, 03:28 PM

Hello all,

My RO has been offline for about two months due to a broken connector. I don't know how old the media is, as I acquired it used and didn't think to ask.

Is it safe to continue making RO water with the current media? Shoudl I change it out?

Also, I hooked it up wrong and it runs from the hot water pipe instead of cold. Is that a problem?

joeychitwood · 10/01/2007, 03:30 PM

Definitely re-plumb the filter to the cold water line. I'd also recommend buying new filter elements to insure you are getting the full benefits of the RO process.

AZDesertRat · 10/01/2007, 03:54 PM

If you ran any water over 110 degrees through it it's trashed. RO membranes are extremely thin plastic sheets much thinner than saran wrap so you can imagine what hot water does to them. The only way to tell for sure if it can be used at all is with a TDS meter. Test the tap water TDS then the RO only TDS if you have an RO/DI and finally the RO/DI TDS. The RO should be 90-98% less than the incoming tap water TDS, if its not its time for a new membrane. Prefilters and carbons should last 6 months. Never allow the membrane to dry out either as this will also ruin it.

dwd5813 · 10/02/2007, 07:53 AM

how do you keep the membrane from drying out? will it just stay wet unless you open it up, or is there something else needed?

AZDesertRat · 10/02/2007, 08:22 AM

If your unit has an autoshutoff valve it shuts water off downstream of the membrane so it stays wetted all the time. If not and you either disconnect it or use a ball valve on the tap water side just make sure use the unit once a week or so and water should remain in the membrane housing.

dwd5813 · 10/02/2007, 11:15 AM

thanks for the info

10/01/2007, 03:28 PM	#1
Rae C. Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Colorado Posts: 916	RO maintenance Hello all, My RO has been offline for about two months due to a broken connector. I don't know how old the media is, as I acquired it used and didn't think to ask. Is it safe to continue making RO water with the current media? Shoudl I change it out? Also, I hooked it up wrong and it runs from the hot water pipe instead of cold. Is that a problem? __________________ Rae C It's 8:30, kids. Turn off the tank and go to bed! Current Tank Info: 65 gal, softies, 1 mandarine, 1 clown

10/02/2007, 07:53 AM	#4
dwd5813 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: 813 Posts: 2,827	how do you keep the membrane from drying out? will it just stay wet unless you open it up, or is there something else needed? __________________ order some golf shoes, otherwise we'll never get out of this place alive. what can i say? in dog beers, i have only had one. - dublo8 Current Tank Info: 40B aiptasia farm

10/02/2007, 11:15 AM	#6
dwd5813 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: 813 Posts: 2,827	thanks for the info __________________ order some golf shoes, otherwise we'll never get out of this place alive. what can i say? in dog beers, i have only had one. - dublo8 Current Tank Info: 40B aiptasia farm

10/01/2007, 03:30 PM	#2
joeychitwood Schrödinger's Mod Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 3,488	Definitely re-plumb the filter to the cold water line. I'd also recommend buying new filter elements to insure you are getting the full benefits of the RO process.

10/01/2007, 03:54 PM	#3
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	If you ran any water over 110 degrees through it it's trashed. RO membranes are extremely thin plastic sheets much thinner than saran wrap so you can imagine what hot water does to them. The only way to tell for sure if it can be used at all is with a TDS meter. Test the tap water TDS then the RO only TDS if you have an RO/DI and finally the RO/DI TDS. The RO should be 90-98% less than the incoming tap water TDS, if its not its time for a new membrane. Prefilters and carbons should last 6 months. Never allow the membrane to dry out either as this will also ruin it.

10/02/2007, 08:22 AM	#5
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	If your unit has an autoshutoff valve it shuts water off downstream of the membrane so it stays wetted all the time. If not and you either disconnect it or use a ball valve on the tap water side just make sure use the unit once a week or so and water should remain in the membrane housing.