No RO/DI Filters!

Amador · 12/05/2006, 08:02 PM

In May of this year I set up my tank with a 5-stage RO-DI from vendor X (don't want to bash them yet, I'm still waiting on a response from the owner). Last month, I noticed excessively high TDS readings and a ton of diatom algae. I did some tests with my handheld TDS meter and determined that the membrane was going. (120ish incoming TDS, 100ish after the membrane). The vendor graciously replaced my RO membrane for free and my TDS was immediately down to 2-3. I figured the remaining tds was from DI resin that had been pretty well used up. I ordered a replacement set of filters and resin from the vendor and received them today.

Tonight, I cracked open the first three stages (10 micron sediment filter , 5 micron carbon block, 1 micron carbon block) and got the shock of my life. There were NO filters in the first three stages! NONE!! Just three empty canisters with a lonely O-ring at the top. Apparently someone forgot to add the filters before it left the vendor!

Anyway, the reason I'm posting this is to see: what kind of things could have made it into my tank through the RO membrane and DI resin? I know I've got a ton of silicates, the diatoms are having a field day on my sand. I have been able to keep fish alive, and some softies (zoas, xenia, GSP) so I don't think anything TOO bad has made it in. I have had the replacement RO membrane in for about a month .. how badly could it have been damaged with nothing to absorb chlorine, etc. before it?

zoomfish1 · 12/05/2006, 08:10 PM

If your fish are still alive I wouldn't think there to be a chlorine problem. I honestly have never heard of this happening before, except the empty DI cartridge when mine came in.

You should be all right after you get the new filters in. Will probably need to do 10-20 percent water changes for a few months to get everything back in line.

You may well need to change the RO membrane out too. I would try to get them to send you a whole new filter kit.

Roland Jacques · 12/05/2006, 08:14 PM

WOW that sucks bad. well your membrane is probably shot or at least damaged. chlorine my really wreak havoc on a membrane. it probably also prematurely exhaust your DI

Amador · 12/05/2006, 09:07 PM

Yeah I figured it would do a number on the DI, I just replaced the resin while I was adding the other 3 filters. How badly could the membrane degrade in the month it was in use? I only ran 2-3 gallons a day through it, with the exception of a couple 30g water changes.

Roland Jacques · 12/06/2006, 06:40 AM

Amador
Depends on what kind of membrane you have, amount of chlorine or chloramine... id would just test it if it is less rejection rate than what your membrane is rated at, id replace it. My membranes are about 98%.

If they made the mistake they should replace it IMO.

Fishbulb2 · 12/06/2006, 10:23 AM

Yup, I think they should replace all the filters including prefilerts, membrane, and DI. Well, it could be a lot worse. My sister once got a new engine put in her car. Got a few miles down the road before the new engine completely died. Someone forgot to put oil in it! Sucks for the owner of the company too. One goofball working for you and you are out for a whole engine.
FB

Amador · 12/06/2006, 02:20 PM

Wow fishbulb, that sucks! While it certainly could be worse, it is nervewracking to think that I have been adding livestock into less-than-pure water.

The good news is that the vendor has agreed to supply a (second) new membrane, and a set of filters at no cost to me. Thanks for the input everyone!

RandalB · 12/06/2006, 02:55 PM

The first 3 stages of an RO unit are just for removing debris and chlorine from the source water. The membrane does most of the work and the DI stage does the rest. Nothing got past the unit that wouldn't have if the 3 prefilters were in place. Only problem would be the chlorine killing the membrane....

Glad to hear they did right by you...

RandalB

AZDesertRat · 12/06/2006, 05:54 PM

Make them replace the membrane also. I'll bet you a dollar to a donut it was irreversibly damaged due to high suspended and disolved solids hitting the membrane fabric plus the chlorine damage. You will never be able to flush the membrane enough to remove the solids.

12/05/2006, 08:02 PM	#1
Amador Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Jenks, OK Posts: 320	No RO/DI Filters! In May of this year I set up my tank with a 5-stage RO-DI from vendor X (don't want to bash them yet, I'm still waiting on a response from the owner). Last month, I noticed excessively high TDS readings and a ton of diatom algae. I did some tests with my handheld TDS meter and determined that the membrane was going. (120ish incoming TDS, 100ish after the membrane). The vendor graciously replaced my RO membrane for free and my TDS was immediately down to 2-3. I figured the remaining tds was from DI resin that had been pretty well used up. I ordered a replacement set of filters and resin from the vendor and received them today. Tonight, I cracked open the first three stages (10 micron sediment filter , 5 micron carbon block, 1 micron carbon block) and got the shock of my life. There were NO filters in the first three stages! NONE!! Just three empty canisters with a lonely O-ring at the top. Apparently someone forgot to add the filters before it left the vendor! Anyway, the reason I'm posting this is to see: what kind of things could have made it into my tank through the RO membrane and DI resin? I know I've got a ton of silicates, the diatoms are having a field day on my sand. I have been able to keep fish alive, and some softies (zoas, xenia, GSP) so I don't think anything TOO bad has made it in. I have had the replacement RO membrane in for about a month .. how badly could it have been damaged with nothing to absorb chlorine, etc. before it? __________________ Chris Current Tank Info: 125g AGA, 55g sump, 2x 250W MH, Mag 12, MSX 160, BB since 5/14/07

12/05/2006, 08:10 PM	#2
zoomfish1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Claremore, Oklahoma Posts: 1,659	If your fish are still alive I wouldn't think there to be a chlorine problem. I honestly have never heard of this happening before, except the empty DI cartridge when mine came in. You should be all right after you get the new filters in. Will probably need to do 10-20 percent water changes for a few months to get everything back in line. You may well need to change the RO membrane out too. I would try to get them to send you a whole new filter kit. __________________ Zoomfish Current Tank Info: 75g RR, dsb w/90 lbs sand, 150 lb live rock, anemone & LPS tank

12/05/2006, 08:14 PM	#3
Roland Jacques Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 2,848	WOW that sucks bad. well your membrane is probably shot or at least damaged. chlorine my really wreak havoc on a membrane. it probably also prematurely exhaust your DI __________________ Roland

12/05/2006, 09:07 PM	#4
Amador Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Jenks, OK Posts: 320	Yeah I figured it would do a number on the DI, I just replaced the resin while I was adding the other 3 filters. How badly could the membrane degrade in the month it was in use? I only ran 2-3 gallons a day through it, with the exception of a couple 30g water changes. __________________ Chris Current Tank Info: 125g AGA, 55g sump, 2x 250W MH, Mag 12, MSX 160, BB since 5/14/07

12/06/2006, 06:40 AM	#5
Roland Jacques Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 2,848	Amador Depends on what kind of membrane you have, amount of chlorine or chloramine... id would just test it if it is less rejection rate than what your membrane is rated at, id replace it. My membranes are about 98%. If they made the mistake they should replace it IMO. __________________ Roland

12/06/2006, 10:23 AM	#6
Fishbulb2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,807	Yup, I think they should replace all the filters including prefilerts, membrane, and DI. Well, it could be a lot worse. My sister once got a new engine put in her car. Got a few miles down the road before the new engine completely died. Someone forgot to put oil in it! Sucks for the owner of the company too. One goofball working for you and you are out for a whole engine. FB __________________ Just getting back in, but trying to do it right! Current Tank Info: 40 gallon tank. SPS, LPS, few softies

12/06/2006, 02:20 PM	#7
Amador Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Jenks, OK Posts: 320	Wow fishbulb, that sucks! While it certainly could be worse, it is nervewracking to think that I have been adding livestock into less-than-pure water. The good news is that the vendor has agreed to supply a (second) new membrane, and a set of filters at no cost to me. Thanks for the input everyone! __________________ Chris Current Tank Info: 125g AGA, 55g sump, 2x 250W MH, Mag 12, MSX 160, BB since 5/14/07

12/06/2006, 02:55 PM	#8
RandalB Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Cedar Lake, IN Posts: 1,958	The first 3 stages of an RO unit are just for removing debris and chlorine from the source water. The membrane does most of the work and the DI stage does the rest. Nothing got past the unit that wouldn't have if the 3 prefilters were in place. Only problem would be the chlorine killing the membrane.... Glad to hear they did right by you... RandalB __________________ Have Membrane, Will Travel... Current Tank Info: 32 Biocube, 30 Half circle, 120 in wall coming soon all reefs

12/06/2006, 05:54 PM	#9
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Make them replace the membrane also. I'll bet you a dollar to a donut it was irreversibly damaged due to high suspended and disolved solids hitting the membrane fabric plus the chlorine damage. You will never be able to flush the membrane enough to remove the solids.