TDS won't be 0

Green_Lionfish · 09/07/2014, 02:26 PM

Hello everyone,

I've been working on my TDS level in the past few days, but no luck. I have a aquatic life RO/DI system. It read 50 ppm a few days ago, then I changed all 3 filters and it only read 37 ppm. The membrane was change about 6 months ago, I believe I should last a year or two. I have the inline TDS meter from bulk reef supply.

Any suggestion or input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

mcgyvr · 09/07/2014, 05:08 PM

50ppm where? after RO? after DI?
what is feedwater/inlet TDS?
Whats water pressure?
If you aren't getting the close to the rejection rate of the membrane.. its shot..
they "should" last a few years but there are reasons they fail or don't last that "generic lifespan"

Green_Lionfish · 09/07/2014, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

50ppm where? after RO? after DI?
what is feedwater/inlet TDS?
Whats water pressure?
If you aren't getting the close to the rejection rate of the membrane.. its shot..
they "should" last a few years but there are reasons they fail or don't last that "generic lifespan"

50ppm after DI. My tap / inlet is 225ppm. Water pressure about 50.

slief · 09/07/2014, 06:23 PM

Did you flush each filter starting with the first RO filter one at time and wait for the TDS to drop before adding the next filter and repeating the process??? This is pretty important. You say you installed new filters.. What brand filters did you use?

sirreal63 · 09/07/2014, 06:24 PM

Replace the membrane, my incoming TDS is about the same and I get between 0 and 2 before the DI, depending in what they are doing to our water source. I would highly suggest going with the SpectraPure Select membrane, at 99% or better rejection, it performs. Mine is 4 years old, and still gives me the high rejection. It is actually cheaper in the long run to use a premium membrane, it saves DI resin, which is the most expensive component of your RO/DI.

Green_Lionfish · 09/07/2014, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slief

Did you flush each filter starting with the first RO filter one at time and wait for the TDS to drop before adding the next filter and repeating the process??? This is pretty important. You say you installed new filters.. What brand filters did you use?

I didn't do that. I just changed all 3 filters at once. As far as brand, I am not sure. I just got them from Rainbow in Arleta. Probably generic brand. I was going to get them from Marine Depot, but I wanted to do WC this weekend, but this is what happened. Do I have to take all (old) out, and flush it one by one?

Today, I went to look for TDS meter all over the place and no luck. I thought may be my TDS meter is messed up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirreal63

Replace the membrane, my incoming TDS is about the same and I get between 0 and 2 before the DI, depending in what they are doing to our water source. I would highly suggest going with the SpectraPure Select membrane, at 99% or better rejection, it performs. Mine is 4 years old, and still gives me the high rejection. It is actually cheaper in the long run to use a premium membrane, it saves DI resin, which is the most expensive component of your RO/DI.

Thanks Jack, but change the membrane? Don't you think it's too early? my previous membrane was around 2.5 years before I changed it. And the membrane is the same as previous, which is from the manufacturer.

sirreal63 · 09/07/2014, 08:40 PM

Your DI is exhausted, most likely from a poor performing membrane. The membrane is the heart of the system, and isn't expensive at all, far cheaper than to keep replacing the DI resin. If the membrane was still performing you would not be getting such a hi TDS, so yes, replace the thing with one that is superior, it really does make a difference.

Green_Lionfish · 09/07/2014, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirreal63

Your DI is exhausted, most likely from a poor performing membrane. The membrane is the heart of the system, and isn't expensive at all, far cheaper than to keep replacing the DI resin. If the membrane was still performing you would not be getting such a hi TDS, so yes, replace the thing with one that is superior, it really does make a difference.

Hmmmmm, so you're assumption is the membrane huh? I just felt it has longer life. If I decided to get it, I might as well get that spectrapure select if that's really that good.

slief · 09/07/2014, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green_Lionfish

I didn't do that. I just changed all 3 filters at once. As far as brand, I am not sure. I just got them from Rainbow in Arleta. Probably generic brand. I was going to get them from Marine Depot, but I wanted to do WC this weekend, but this is what happened. Do I have to take all (old) out, and flush it one by one?

It's probably too late for that now. Cartridges should be flushed one at a time to clear any toxins out. New cartridges can have all kinds of stuff in them that can effect the downstream cartridge and kill them. Cheap ones especially. It's like rinsing carbon and GFO. As mentioned, your DI cartridges are toast. Get yourself good cartridges and flush them watching your TDS until it settles before adding another cartridge down stream. If it were me, I would replace every cartridge with SpectraPure cartridges and chalk this up to a learning experience.

reelredfish · 09/07/2014, 10:42 PM

Are you sure the membrane in seated all the way?

my tap is around 600 and after RO I am at 5 then after DI I am at zero.

Green_Lionfish · 09/07/2014, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slief

It's probably too late for that now. Cartridges should be flushed one at a time to clear any toxins out. New cartridges can have all kinds of stuff in them that can effect the downstream cartridge and kill them. Cheap ones especially. It's like rinsing carbon and GFO. As mentioned, your DI cartridges are toast. Get yourself good cartridges and flush them watching your TDS until it settles before adding another cartridge down stream. If it were me, I would replace every cartridge with SpectraPure cartridges and chalk this up to a learning experience.

Thank you for the suggestion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by reelredfish

Are you sure the membrane in seated all the way?

my tap is around 600 and after RO I am at 5 then after DI I am at zero.

I believe so. I don't think you can close the housing if it is not seated all the way.

shifty51008 · 09/08/2014, 12:41 AM

yes the housing can close all the way even if it is not seated all the way in. it don't take much for water to get past the membrane o-ring.

Green_Lionfish · 09/08/2014, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shifty51008

yes the housing can close all the way even if it is not seated all the way in. it don't take much for water to get past the membrane o-ring.

Ok, I will double check the membrane

alton · 09/08/2014, 05:44 AM

http://www.buckeyehydro.com/

Order the MAXR membrane that has been tested. The other issue is chloramines, if your water supply uses it you need special filters or it will eat your membrane.

09/07/2014, 02:26 PM	#1
Green_Lionfish Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: So Cal Posts: 233	TDS won't be 0 Hello everyone, I've been working on my TDS level in the past few days, but no luck. I have a aquatic life RO/DI system. It read 50 ppm a few days ago, then I changed all 3 filters and it only read 37 ppm. The membrane was change about 6 months ago, I believe I should last a year or two. I have the inline TDS meter from bulk reef supply. Any suggestion or input is greatly appreciated. Thanks

09/07/2014, 06:23 PM	#4
slief RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14,173	Did you flush each filter starting with the first RO filter one at time and wait for the TDS to drop before adding the next filter and repeating the process??? This is pretty important. You say you installed new filters.. What brand filters did you use? __________________ Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476

09/07/2014, 06:24 PM	#5
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	Replace the membrane, my incoming TDS is about the same and I get between 0 and 2 before the DI, depending in what they are doing to our water source. I would highly suggest going with the SpectraPure Select membrane, at 99% or better rejection, it performs. Mine is 4 years old, and still gives me the high rejection. It is actually cheaper in the long run to use a premium membrane, it saves DI resin, which is the most expensive component of your RO/DI. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

09/07/2014, 08:40 PM	#7
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	Your DI is exhausted, most likely from a poor performing membrane. The membrane is the heart of the system, and isn't expensive at all, far cheaper than to keep replacing the DI resin. If the membrane was still performing you would not be getting such a hi TDS, so yes, replace the thing with one that is superior, it really does make a difference. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

09/08/2014, 12:41 AM	#12
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	yes the housing can close all the way even if it is not seated all the way in. it don't take much for water to get past the membrane o-ring. __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

09/07/2014, 05:08 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	50ppm where? after RO? after DI? what is feedwater/inlet TDS? Whats water pressure? If you aren't getting the close to the rejection rate of the membrane.. its shot.. they "should" last a few years but there are reasons they fail or don't last that "generic lifespan"

09/07/2014, 10:42 PM	#10
reelredfish Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: DFW,Area Posts: 798	Are you sure the membrane in seated all the way? my tap is around 600 and after RO I am at 5 then after DI I am at zero.

09/08/2014, 05:44 AM	#14
alton Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zuehl, Texas Posts: 4,460	http://www.buckeyehydro.com/ Order the MAXR membrane that has been tested. The other issue is chloramines, if your water supply uses it you need special filters or it will eat your membrane.