RO/DI Flush Kits

gillesec · 08/28/2009, 01:29 PM

I am reaching the point where I need to replace a few of the filters/DI resin and came across the flush kit for the RO/DI units.

Does anyone use them and are they worth the money?

Thanks

WaterKeeper · 08/28/2009, 01:37 PM

I use one but my RO system is pretty large and membranes are costly to replace on it. I use a flush with citric acid about once a month. On smaller units their value is somewhat questionable. They help some but the cost of a membrane is not that high and even without the flush it should last two years or more. They do nothing to prolong the life of prefilters or the DI section so they will need to be replaced every six months, when flow drops off or, for the DI secton, when expended.

WaterKeeper · 08/28/2009, 01:41 PM

If you think the membrane is fouling you can try this. Remove it and soak overnight in a solution of 1 cup citric acid per gallon of water. I'm told a 2 to 1 solution of white vinegar also works. Rinse it off and replace it. Discard the first few gallons of product water before resuming normal collection.

KillerReef · 08/28/2009, 01:44 PM

I have one but it came with the unit. I run it for a few minutes before and after I make water. whether it makes a difference, I douldn't tell you...

WaterKeeper · 08/28/2009, 02:05 PM

Probably a little but a straight flush is not super effective. The foe of any membrane are scale forming calcium, magnesium and silica scales. They clog the membrane pores and eventually block the flow. On commercial unit the flush consists of using a scale removal agent like I use. It is recirculated of about an hour and then flushed to drain. Few if any home units offer that type of system. Mine is an old lab grade system that I got for free. It is way overkill for what I have but it gives you a sense of real power to be able to produce 10 gallons of ultrapure water in under and hour.

EnglishRebel · 08/28/2009, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by WaterKeeper
Mine is an old lab grade system that I got for free. It is way overkill for what I have but it gives you a sense of real power to be able to produce 10 gallons of ultrapure water in under and hour.

As if you don't have enough "sense of real power" already Tom.

WaterKeeper · 08/28/2009, 03:01 PM

I can tell people from experience to never hook a 360 gpd RO to their sump for top off. When I left for a weekend and knocked of the high level cutoff switch wire I ran close to 900 gallons of FW into my 130. Needless to say it did not fare well.

08/28/2009, 01:29 PM	#1
gillesec Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 116	RO/DI Flush Kits I am reaching the point where I need to replace a few of the filters/DI resin and came across the flush kit for the RO/DI units. Does anyone use them and are they worth the money? Thanks

08/28/2009, 01:37 PM	#2
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	I use one but my RO system is pretty large and membranes are costly to replace on it. I use a flush with citric acid about once a month. On smaller units their value is somewhat questionable. They help some but the cost of a membrane is not that high and even without the flush it should last two years or more. They do nothing to prolong the life of prefilters or the DI section so they will need to be replaced every six months, when flow drops off or, for the DI secton, when expended. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

08/28/2009, 01:41 PM	#3
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	If you think the membrane is fouling you can try this. Remove it and soak overnight in a solution of 1 cup citric acid per gallon of water. I'm told a 2 to 1 solution of white vinegar also works. Rinse it off and replace it. Discard the first few gallons of product water before resuming normal collection. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

08/28/2009, 01:44 PM	#4
KillerReef Wrasse-a-holic Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: So Cal Posts: 2,083	I have one but it came with the unit. I run it for a few minutes before and after I make water. whether it makes a difference, I douldn't tell you... __________________ 80 gallon Jebo 48x18x21 Bubble Magus BM-180 Cone 110lbs Live Rock 1-2" Sandbed Mag 12 Return Pump 2 MP10s, One Left Rear, One Right front Opposite each Other 2x65w pc 03 Actinic 2 250W Lumatek w/ SE Phoenix MH about 4" above water Livestock: 10 yr. old Purple Tang, Orchid Dottyback, Melanurus Wrasse, Pink Margin Wrasse, Pair of Clowns, Bartlett Anthias, Diamond Goby, 18 yr. old Lemon Peel Angel, Blue Flasher Wrasse Mixed Reef, mostly Zoanthids

08/28/2009, 02:05 PM	#5
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	Probably a little but a straight flush is not super effective. The foe of any membrane are scale forming calcium, magnesium and silica scales. They clog the membrane pores and eventually block the flow. On commercial unit the flush consists of using a scale removal agent like I use. It is recirculated of about an hour and then flushed to drain. Few if any home units offer that type of system. Mine is an old lab grade system that I got for free. It is way overkill for what I have but it gives you a sense of real power to be able to produce 10 gallons of ultrapure water in under and hour. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

08/28/2009, 03:01 PM	#7
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	I can tell people from experience to never hook a 360 gpd RO to their sump for top off. When I left for a weekend and knocked of the high level cutoff switch wire I ran close to 900 gallons of FW into my 130. Needless to say it did not fare well. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29