Bought/setup a Coralife RO System, smells like dead fish

VoiceInTheDeser · 04/16/2013, 02:41 PM

Title pretty much sums it up. I ordered and installed a new RO system a few weeks ago, hooked it up under my sink connected to a 3 gallon storage tank (I only need 3-5 gallons at a time for my nano) and let it do it's thing. Used it to create about 40-50 gallons as I was trying to drive nitrates down on my tank at the time.

Now after about a month, the water coming out of it smells like dead fish. I also tested it for nitrates and it's registering above 20.

So...I'm guessing something got in the filters? Do I just need to clean it out? How does one completely clean out the insides of an RO system? And why would I have to do this after only having it a month?

Sonicboom · 04/16/2013, 02:44 PM

did you do the initial purge? i just installed one a few days ago and i had to fill the tank then dump it.

VoiceInTheDeser · 04/16/2013, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonicboom

did you do the initial purge? i just installed one a few days ago and i had to fill the tank then dump it.

I filled it up and emptied it out before I started using it if that's what you mean?

Sonicboom · 04/16/2013, 02:52 PM

yup, that's what i meant. It's all pvc, maybe a vinegar bath in a rubbermaid or in a sink for the canisters and while you are doing that see if one of the cartridges smells foul. hopefully it wont be the very first one and something can be salvaged. also contact Coralife support. I know one of the cartridges i installed was sealed in an air tight bag with some liquid. i think it was the RO one. maybe yours had a leak?

VoiceInTheDeser · 04/16/2013, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonicboom

yup, that's what i meant. It's all pvc, maybe a vinegar bath in a rubbermaid or in a sink for the canisters and while you are doing that see if one of the cartridges smells foul. hopefully it wont be the very first one and something can be salvaged. also contact Coralife support. I know one of the cartridges i installed was sealed in an air tight bag with some liquid. i think it was the RO one. maybe yours had a leak?

Yeah, I contacted them through email a few days ago, but have yet to hear back. I'm guessing some sort of contaminent, I was just really surprised to have something happen with such a new system. I suppose I should go buy a lot of vinegar....

Sonicboom · 04/16/2013, 03:44 PM

try calling

Toll-free: 888-255-4527
M - F 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM CS

kk818 · 04/16/2013, 03:45 PM

Your best bet is to contact coralife support theyll probably end up sending you a new setup
personally i use a 8 stage setup for my 90 gallon reef and ive never had an issue.

DHyslop · 04/16/2013, 04:29 PM

There's basically no way to troubleshoot or diagnose an RODI problem without a TDS meter and pressure gauge. You get what you pay for.

Reefer82 · 04/17/2013, 01:35 PM

By initial purge he meant did you flush the membrane before use, generally you want to run 10galthe or so to flush out any manufacturing impurities or preservatives that may have been used. You want to do this with new di as well but in a separate step as to not put undue stress on the di while flushing the membrane.

To sanitize the RO you'll need to remove all the filters including the membrane. Mix up a bleach/water solution at about 3-4oz of bleach to water and then put that mixture into first stage of the RO. Run the solution through w no filters installed and let it sit for awhile to disinfect and then flush out the entire system w clear water until no chlorine is smelled. You'll have to run this through your storage tank I'm guessing. I've never had one so don't quote me on that. I know they have a rubber bladder and couldn't tell you of any adverse effects from the bleach contact. You may want to research that first.

That's how I've always done mine. Oh and keep the tubes tied up above the membrane housing to prevent gravity from draining it while it sits.

04/16/2013, 02:41 PM	#1
VoiceInTheDeser Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 286	Bought/setup a Coralife RO System, smells like dead fish Title pretty much sums it up. I ordered and installed a new RO system a few weeks ago, hooked it up under my sink connected to a 3 gallon storage tank (I only need 3-5 gallons at a time for my nano) and let it do it's thing. Used it to create about 40-50 gallons as I was trying to drive nitrates down on my tank at the time. Now after about a month, the water coming out of it smells like dead fish. I also tested it for nitrates and it's registering above 20. So...I'm guessing something got in the filters? Do I just need to clean it out? How does one completely clean out the insides of an RO system? And why would I have to do this after only having it a month? __________________ When I registered my name, I typed "Voiceinthedesert." I didn't notice the character limit cut me off at the r. Now I walk around with this silly name... Current Tank Info: 120 LPS

04/16/2013, 02:44 PM	#2
Sonicboom Addicted to salt Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Carrollwood, FL Posts: 2,450	did you do the initial purge? i just installed one a few days ago and i had to fill the tank then dump it. __________________ "60% of the time it works every time..." - Anchorman Current Tank Info: 180 Aqueon RR / SRO3000Int / BLDC15 / TriggerSys custom Sump / AI Hydra 52 and Hydra 26

04/16/2013, 02:52 PM	#4
Sonicboom Addicted to salt Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Carrollwood, FL Posts: 2,450	yup, that's what i meant. It's all pvc, maybe a vinegar bath in a rubbermaid or in a sink for the canisters and while you are doing that see if one of the cartridges smells foul. hopefully it wont be the very first one and something can be salvaged. also contact Coralife support. I know one of the cartridges i installed was sealed in an air tight bag with some liquid. i think it was the RO one. maybe yours had a leak? __________________ "60% of the time it works every time..." - Anchorman Current Tank Info: 180 Aqueon RR / SRO3000Int / BLDC15 / TriggerSys custom Sump / AI Hydra 52 and Hydra 26

04/16/2013, 03:44 PM	#6
Sonicboom Addicted to salt Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Carrollwood, FL Posts: 2,450	try calling Toll-free: 888-255-4527 M - F 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM CS __________________ "60% of the time it works every time..." - Anchorman Current Tank Info: 180 Aqueon RR / SRO3000Int / BLDC15 / TriggerSys custom Sump / AI Hydra 52 and Hydra 26

04/16/2013, 03:45 PM	#7
kk818 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 29	Your best bet is to contact coralife support theyll probably end up sending you a new setup personally i use a 8 stage setup for my 90 gallon reef and ive never had an issue.

04/16/2013, 04:29 PM	#8
DHyslop Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: RI Posts: 1,085	There's basically no way to troubleshoot or diagnose an RODI problem without a TDS meter and pressure gauge. You get what you pay for.

04/17/2013, 01:35 PM	#9
Reefer82 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brownsburg, IN Posts: 216	By initial purge he meant did you flush the membrane before use, generally you want to run 10galthe or so to flush out any manufacturing impurities or preservatives that may have been used. You want to do this with new di as well but in a separate step as to not put undue stress on the di while flushing the membrane. To sanitize the RO you'll need to remove all the filters including the membrane. Mix up a bleach/water solution at about 3-4oz of bleach to water and then put that mixture into first stage of the RO. Run the solution through w no filters installed and let it sit for awhile to disinfect and then flush out the entire system w clear water until no chlorine is smelled. You'll have to run this through your storage tank I'm guessing. I've never had one so don't quote me on that. I know they have a rubber bladder and couldn't tell you of any adverse effects from the bleach contact. You may want to research that first. That's how I've always done mine. Oh and keep the tubes tied up above the membrane housing to prevent gravity from draining it while it sits.