New RO/DI system, higher TDS *after* DI?!

WinnipegDragon · 02/04/2009, 07:10 PM

I just hooked up my RO/DI system, a Purely H2O Optima Vision system.

I let the system run with only the RO hooked up for two hours as per the instructions. Then I hooked up the DI canister. Here is where it gets odd.

I have a dual inline TDS monitor. I have the first sensor set up right after the RO membrane, and it's reading 3-4ppm. The second sensor is after the DI resin and it is reading 7-8ppm! Why and how is my DI resin actually introducing solids?!

A little background, this unit has been on my shelving unit downstairs for over a year and there was a basement renovation during that time, but the unit was packed away, it wasn't dusty or anything like that. The resin is still a solid blue/black so it's not expired resin or anything like that.

Does the resin need to be rinsed for some time as well? Is there something else that might be causing this? I'm at a loss...

fcmatt · 02/04/2009, 07:46 PM

i would output 50-100 gallons through it and check back.

WinnipegDragon · 02/04/2009, 07:54 PM

I know you need to run that through the RO membrane, but through the DI as well?

fcmatt · 02/04/2009, 08:04 PM

I am making a guess here. I am thinking it has residue and
other tiny tiny particles which is setting off the TDS meter
to give higher readings.

If it was me, i would run quite a few gallons through it
before considering it a valid test.

WinnipegDragon · 02/04/2009, 08:45 PM

Hmm... Should my DI canister be filling with water completely?

fcmatt · 02/04/2009, 09:09 PM

mine never did. i remember a trickle into it. the bottom
part did fill up though but never completely.

WinnipegDragon · 02/04/2009, 10:24 PM

Wierd, now both probes are showing 0ppm...

Maybe the probes needed to work in...

fcmatt · 02/04/2009, 10:55 PM

odd that your tap water would show 0 ppm.

edited to add: oops, right after your RO.

i recommend putting one right before it enters the
ro/di system to know what your tap water contains...
and one when it comes out the DI.

if your tap water only has 25 ppm.. it is not unexpected
for the RO to do a great job alone..

my tap water had 70-90 ppm and after the DI 0 ppm.

i am afraid i never put it in the middle. i was more concerned
what i had coming in and what came out. not so much
about the middle.

Flipper62 · 02/04/2009, 11:19 PM

If your using the HM Digital duel inline meter ( Blue Face ). You said that its been setting in the shelf for over a year......Replace the battery.

In any case I always test the final TDS with a COM-100 portable meter. To me its the most accurate meter.

You can get one from the filterguys for $50.00.

http://www.thefilterguys.biz/tds_meters.htm

WinnipegDragon · 02/05/2009, 07:49 AM

Yup, I'm getting an portable meter tonight. It's a Milwaukee, should be reliable enough.

Good call on the battery though. It was turned off, but you never know.

Icefire · 02/05/2009, 09:44 PM

I hope you flushed the sediment/carbon without the membrane in because carbon put massive amount of dust in the membrane if not.

WinnipegDragon · 02/05/2009, 10:17 PM

Nope. Instructions were flush the system (carbon/ro) without DI, then hook up the DI.

I think the carbon was pre-rinsed?

Icefire · 02/05/2009, 10:29 PM

remove the membrane and you will see.

I would advise cleaning the housing and flushing the carbon without DI or membrane.

Water not 0 after DI can be not seated DI or exhausted.

WinnipegDragon · 02/06/2009, 05:55 AM

Well it's reading 0 after all, confirmed with a portable TDS monitor. I think my inline meter was lacking at first...

02/04/2009, 07:10 PM	#1
WinnipegDragon Canuckian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 1,276	*New RO/DI system, higher TDS after* DI?!** I just hooked up my RO/DI system, a Purely H2O Optima Vision system. I let the system run with only the RO hooked up for two hours as per the instructions. Then I hooked up the DI canister. Here is where it gets odd. I have a dual inline TDS monitor. I have the first sensor set up right after the RO membrane, and it's reading 3-4ppm. The second sensor is after the DI resin and it is reading 7-8ppm! Why and how is my DI resin actually introducing solids?! A little background, this unit has been on my shelving unit downstairs for over a year and there was a basement renovation during that time, but the unit was packed away, it wasn't dusty or anything like that. The resin is still a solid blue/black so it's not expired resin or anything like that. Does the resin need to be rinsed for some time as well? Is there something else that might be causing this? I'm at a loss... __________________ Working on a neeew tank! http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=25596043

02/04/2009, 07:54 PM	#3
WinnipegDragon Canuckian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 1,276	I know you need to run that through the RO membrane, but through the DI as well? __________________ Working on a neeew tank! http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=25596043

02/04/2009, 08:45 PM	#5
WinnipegDragon Canuckian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 1,276	Hmm... Should my DI canister be filling with water completely? __________________ Working on a neeew tank! http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=25596043

02/04/2009, 10:24 PM	#7
WinnipegDragon Canuckian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 1,276	Wierd, now both probes are showing 0ppm... Maybe the probes needed to work in... __________________ Working on a neeew tank! http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=25596043

02/04/2009, 11:19 PM	#9
Flipper62 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Naperville, Il. Business Owner, President & CEO Posts: 3,045	If your using the HM Digital duel inline meter ( Blue Face ). You said that its been setting in the shelf for over a year......Replace the battery. In any case I always test the final TDS with a COM-100 portable meter. To me its the most accurate meter. You can get one from the filterguys for $50.00. http://www.thefilterguys.biz/tds_meters.htm __________________ If todays automobile had followed the same development as the computer, A Rolls Royce would cost $100.00. It would get a million miles per gallon, but it would explode once a year killing everyone inside." Current Tanks... 90 gal Reef... My awesome Office BioCube....( 180 was on hold ..no time ) ... The 180 gal has been sold...Yay..yay..yay. Hobby Experience: 19 years Reef...22 years FW

02/04/2009, 07:46 PM	#2
fcmatt Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NH Posts: 850	i would output 50-100 gallons through it and check back.

02/04/2009, 08:04 PM	#4
fcmatt Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NH Posts: 850	I am making a guess here. I am thinking it has residue and other tiny tiny particles which is setting off the TDS meter to give higher readings. If it was me, i would run quite a few gallons through it before considering it a valid test.

02/04/2009, 09:09 PM	#6
fcmatt Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NH Posts: 850	mine never did. i remember a trickle into it. the bottom part did fill up though but never completely.

02/04/2009, 10:55 PM	#8
fcmatt Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NH Posts: 850	odd that your tap water would show 0 ppm. edited to add: oops, right after your RO. i recommend putting one right before it enters the ro/di system to know what your tap water contains... and one when it comes out the DI. if your tap water only has 25 ppm.. it is not unexpected for the RO to do a great job alone.. my tap water had 70-90 ppm and after the DI 0 ppm. i am afraid i never put it in the middle. i was more concerned what i had coming in and what came out. not so much about the middle.

02/05/2009, 07:49 AM	#10
WinnipegDragon Canuckian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 1,276	Yup, I'm getting an portable meter tonight. It's a Milwaukee, should be reliable enough. Good call on the battery though. It was turned off, but you never know. __________________ Working on a neeew tank! http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=25596043

02/05/2009, 09:44 PM	#11
Icefire Seasoned reefer Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: In Quebec, Canada Posts: 3,653	I hope you flushed the sediment/carbon without the membrane in because carbon put massive amount of dust in the membrane if not. __________________ Temp 80F, PH 8.5-8.0, Alk 6.8-7.2, Ca 430, Mg 1700, NO3 0-0.25, PO4 0.04, 34.4 PPT Lights @ 100% all others, 35% White Current Tank Info: 60g Cube, 120lbs live rocks, Hydra52 2x120W, 2 MP40+ 1 MP10 @ 70%, Phosban 550 GFO+Carbon, 200W Heater, SWC Skimmer, Kalk ATO, 150 gpd RODI

02/05/2009, 10:17 PM	#12
WinnipegDragon Canuckian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 1,276	Nope. Instructions were flush the system (carbon/ro) without DI, then hook up the DI. I think the carbon was pre-rinsed? __________________ Working on a neeew tank! http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=25596043

02/05/2009, 10:29 PM	#13
Icefire Seasoned reefer Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: In Quebec, Canada Posts: 3,653	remove the membrane and you will see. I would advise cleaning the housing and flushing the carbon without DI or membrane. Water not 0 after DI can be not seated DI or exhausted. __________________ Temp 80F, PH 8.5-8.0, Alk 6.8-7.2, Ca 430, Mg 1700, NO3 0-0.25, PO4 0.04, 34.4 PPT Lights @ 100% all others, 35% White Current Tank Info: 60g Cube, 120lbs live rocks, Hydra52 2x120W, 2 MP40+ 1 MP10 @ 70%, Phosban 550 GFO+Carbon, 200W Heater, SWC Skimmer, Kalk ATO, 150 gpd RODI

02/06/2009, 05:55 AM	#14
WinnipegDragon Canuckian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 1,276	Well it's reading 0 after all, confirmed with a portable TDS monitor. I think my inline meter was lacking at first... __________________ Working on a neeew tank! http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=25596043