Sediment filter looks dirty...

super_steve85 · 07/09/2014, 06:44 AM

I set my BRS RO/DI filter up about a month ago using all of their stock filters, which includes a 5 micron sediment filter. I was checking it out last night and the sediment filter is already turning brown. Reading through a bunch of posts here I found that a lot of people are changing their filters out at 6 months and they still are nice and white. Is my water just THAT dirty? My tap water TDS is 176 and it tastes gross and smells like mildew (happens for about 2 months every year where I live, so gross).

So, TDS of 176 into filter, TDS of 5 out of the membrane and 0 out of the DI. Only the bottom inch or so of DI is beginning to change color and the membrane rejection rate seems to be right on. I've got a pressure drop across the sediment and carbon block filters of 1-2 psi. I was going to swap out both of them for a tighter micron filter at 6 months, or when the pressure drop reached ~5 psi, but based on the color change of the sediment filter should I do it earlier or is this pretty normal? I also jsut found out that my water is treated with chloramines (yay

) so I'll be getting the additional canister with appropriate carbon for that as well.

Also, are the .5 micron Spectrapure filters worth it? I was going to go with the more standard 1 micron until I found these. On their website they recommended these for high sediment areas like NC.

Here's a pic from last night:

billdogg · 07/09/2014, 08:31 AM

Yes, your water is probably that dirty. That's why mine is plumbed to the refrigerator too - I don't want to be drinking that, um, stuff

super_steve85 · 07/09/2014, 08:39 AM

Stuff is the nice way to put it. I'm seriously considering hooking mine up to a drinking water system, too.

Do you think it needs changing or just wait until the pressure drop hits 5 psi or so?

billdogg · 07/09/2014, 09:26 AM

I would wait to change it if it were mine. Hooking up to the frig saves me about $35 every 3 months for a replacement frig filter.

Indymann99 · 07/09/2014, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billdogg

I would wait to change it if it were mine. Hooking up to the frig saves me about $35 every 3 months for a replacement frig filter.

+1 on hooking up the RO side for drinking water and plumbing to your fridge.

my input TDS....396 I have never had the water tested to see "what" the TDS is comprised of

But I feel better drinking 7

Tank gets the DI treatment - TDS 0

Pressure tank for the RO drinking water.

Volcom698 · 07/09/2014, 10:14 AM

Wow that is high input water. I guess I have cleaner input water, it's about 0.04 or 0.06.

Av8bluewater · 07/09/2014, 05:43 PM

If it looks dirty I just go ahead and replace. They're only a few bucks and helps the other filters stay clean longer.

07/09/2014, 08:31 AM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	Yes, your water is probably that dirty. That's why mine is plumbed to the refrigerator too - I don't want to be drinking that, um, stuff __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

07/09/2014, 09:26 AM	#4
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I would wait to change it if it were mine. Hooking up to the frig saves me about $35 every 3 months for a replacement frig filter. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

07/09/2014, 05:43 PM	#7
Av8bluewater Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 763	If it looks dirty I just go ahead and replace. They're only a few bucks and helps the other filters stay clean longer. __________________ 225 gallon SPS dominant. Reef octopus dual cx reactor w/ AP regulator . Vertex alpha 250,Apex, ATI 8X80w BML XB Super actinic strip , Aqualund bio pellet RX, 3 MP40s. Current Tank Info: 230 Rimless.

07/09/2014, 08:39 AM	#3
super_steve85 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Monroe, NC Posts: 132	Stuff is the nice way to put it. I'm seriously considering hooking mine up to a drinking water system, too. Do you think it needs changing or just wait until the pressure drop hits 5 psi or so?

07/09/2014, 10:14 AM	#6
Volcom698 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: South central PA Posts: 132	Wow that is high input water. I guess I have cleaner input water, it's about 0.04 or 0.06.