RO - Waste water still going?

filippo · 03/21/2008, 02:50 PM

Hi,

I finally installed a float switch valve in my water container so that the ro/di system would stop making water when the container is full.

Everything works perfectly - the ro/di does "shut off". However, my waste line gets on once in a while, i would say once every 3-4 hours, and I am not clear why.

The tank is full, the ro/di system is "asleep", no water has been taken away from my storage container, etc. so why does my waste water continues working (again, not continuously, but once in a while)?

Is it normal?

Thank you

ReefEnabler · 03/21/2008, 03:10 PM

strange... maybe it could mean that the flow restrictor on the waste line is not calibrated properly?

ScottL4619 · 03/21/2008, 03:18 PM

Does your storage container evaporate or possible have waves on top that would cause the float valve to drop enough to let water in? It would only take a small amount of movement in the float to start a tiny bit of water flow and waste water will flow for a few minutes.

rbursek · 03/21/2008, 03:22 PM

All these things is why I do NOT have a ATO, salt creep, TDS creep, floats switches stuck,ect!!!!!!!!! Mine is on a timer 3min every 2 hours and then add as needed every morning.

ScottL4619 · 03/21/2008, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rbursek
All these things is why I do NOT have a ATO, salt creep, TDS creep, floats switches stuck,ect!!!!!!!!! Mine is on a timer 3min every 2 hours and then add as needed every morning.

This isn't for his topoff, just to fill his water mixing container I believe. I would rather trust a float valve than have to keep remember to check if the container is full and shut off the RO/DI. Of course, mine is setup in the basement and if the float fails, the container will overflow and go right down the drain.

Ebmorri · 03/21/2008, 03:34 PM

Do you have an Automatic Shut-Off Valve and check valve? If not you need one to turn off the system fully. If so one part could be bad, the check valve on my system was dead. You may also need a mini bladder to create the right pressure.

http://www.spectrapure.com/St_check_valves.htm

Also after your container is full it will need to fill the DI cartrage before it stops. Is that full? I also had an issue like this and was advises to make sure there was no air in the membrane by tipping it 90dg left and right for a few seconds. If you hear gurgling hold it there till it stops.

Erick

filippo · 03/21/2008, 03:42 PM

Conclusion:

storage container evaporate or possible have waves on top that would cause the float valve to drop enough to let water in.
Yes (I live in AZ - it's hooot, especially in my garage where the water container is placed). The evaporation issue makes a lot of sense.

It would only take a small amount of movement in the float to start a tiny bit of water flow and waste water will flow for a few minutes.
Few minutes it is. That's what I originally thought.

Also after your container is full it will need to fill the DI cartrage before it stops. Is that full? I also had an issue like this and was advises to make sure there was no air in the membrane by tipping it 90dg left and right for a few seconds. If you hear gurgling hold it there till it stops.
It makes sense, especially for being a brand new RO/DI system. I will try.

Thank you ALL for your help!

AZDesertRat · 03/21/2008, 05:56 PM

Do you have a float valve or two float switches and a solenoid?
Float valves are prone to the problems mentioned already and often need the bladder tank t ostabilize.
Float switches are installed one above the other with a distance between so the level has to drop low enough to trigger the lower switch before it starts again.

If you are in Tempe you are in Spectrapures back yard. They can help you out with whatever you need.

filippo · 03/21/2008, 06:49 PM

Hey AZDesertRat,

It's a float valve (mini bottle floating).

I do have a double float in my sump.

No spectra since they're too expensive at the moment.

Thanks

das75 · 03/21/2008, 07:59 PM

Could very well be normal.

I have a ro/di with a storage reservoir. When I'm filling up my change water container I get the rush of water from the reservoir then the unit continues to make water for the container (and not refilling the reservoir because of the bladder). Once I turn off the valve to the container, then the unit fills the reservoir taking a couple of hours all while producing waste water.

Combine this with a little evap...

filippo · 03/21/2008, 09:59 PM

thanks for the input das75

AZDesertRat · 03/22/2008, 07:55 AM

You will want to get it fixed somehow or shut if off for several days after it is full to allow it to drop a significant amount. The problem you will encouter is TDS creep. Every time it drops a fraction it kicks the RO on for a very brief run which produces a small amout of high TDS water. This TDS not only wears your DI out faster it can begin to collect in the storage container too since on the intital startup it can pass through the DI until is stabilizes.
Float switches are a much better option. If not just shut it off until it drops enough the make up wil be several gallons so the creep is minimized.

Spectrapure does group buys all the time, the locals just had one last week in fact. You can save a significant amount of money that way.

filippo · 03/22/2008, 08:36 AM

i will look into that. thanks

03/21/2008, 02:50 PM	#1
filippo Moved On Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Milano, Italy (Tempe, AZ) Posts: 623	RO - Waste water still going? Hi, I finally installed a float switch valve in my water container so that the ro/di system would stop making water when the container is full. Everything works perfectly - the ro/di does "shut off". However, my waste line gets on once in a while, i would say once every 3-4 hours, and I am not clear why. The tank is full, the ro/di system is "asleep", no water has been taken away from my storage container, etc. so why does my waste water continues working (again, not continuously, but once in a while)? Is it normal? Thank you

03/21/2008, 03:10 PM	#2
ReefEnabler Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 3,760	strange... maybe it could mean that the flow restrictor on the waste line is not calibrated properly? __________________ - Ryan B "that is enough skimmate to ruin lives." - GSMguy Current Tank Info: 220g Display, 70g sump, 35g frag, 50g fuge, 2x250w MH, 1x400w MH, 2x80w T5, 2x140w VHO Actinic

03/21/2008, 03:18 PM	#3
ScottL4619 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 478	Does your storage container evaporate or possible have waves on top that would cause the float valve to drop enough to let water in? It would only take a small amount of movement in the float to start a tiny bit of water flow and waste water will flow for a few minutes. __________________ Scott Current Tank Info: Empty...

03/21/2008, 03:22 PM	#4
rbursek Moved On Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: germantown,wi Posts: 2,339	All these things is why I do NOT have a ATO, salt creep, TDS creep, floats switches stuck,ect!!!!!!!!! Mine is on a timer 3min every 2 hours and then add as needed every morning.

03/21/2008, 03:34 PM	#6
Ebmorri Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Littleton, CO Posts: 662	Do you have an Automatic Shut-Off Valve and check valve? If not you need one to turn off the system fully. If so one part could be bad, the check valve on my system was dead. You may also need a mini bladder to create the right pressure. http://www.spectrapure.com/St_check_valves.htm Also after your container is full it will need to fill the DI cartrage before it stops. Is that full? I also had an issue like this and was advises to make sure there was no air in the membrane by tipping it 90dg left and right for a few seconds. If you hear gurgling hold it there till it stops. Erick

03/21/2008, 03:42 PM	#7
filippo Moved On Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Milano, Italy (Tempe, AZ) Posts: 623	Conclusion: storage container evaporate or possible have waves on top that would cause the float valve to drop enough to let water in. Yes (I live in AZ - it's hooot, especially in my garage where the water container is placed). The evaporation issue makes a lot of sense. It would only take a small amount of movement in the float to start a tiny bit of water flow and waste water will flow for a few minutes. Few minutes it is. That's what I originally thought. Also after your container is full it will need to fill the DI cartrage before it stops. Is that full? I also had an issue like this and was advises to make sure there was no air in the membrane by tipping it 90dg left and right for a few seconds. If you hear gurgling hold it there till it stops. It makes sense, especially for being a brand new RO/DI system. I will try. Thank you ALL for your help!

03/21/2008, 05:56 PM	#8
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Do you have a float valve or two float switches and a solenoid? Float valves are prone to the problems mentioned already and often need the bladder tank t ostabilize. Float switches are installed one above the other with a distance between so the level has to drop low enough to trigger the lower switch before it starts again. If you are in Tempe you are in Spectrapures back yard. They can help you out with whatever you need.

03/21/2008, 06:49 PM	#9
filippo Moved On Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Milano, Italy (Tempe, AZ) Posts: 623	Hey AZDesertRat, It's a float valve (mini bottle floating). I do have a double float in my sump. No spectra since they're too expensive at the moment. Thanks

03/21/2008, 07:59 PM	#10
das75 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmonton AB Posts: 2,269	Could very well be normal. I have a ro/di with a storage reservoir. When I'm filling up my change water container I get the rush of water from the reservoir then the unit continues to make water for the container (and not refilling the reservoir because of the bladder). Once I turn off the valve to the container, then the unit fills the reservoir taking a couple of hours all while producing waste water. Combine this with a little evap...

03/21/2008, 09:59 PM	#11
filippo Moved On Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Milano, Italy (Tempe, AZ) Posts: 623	thanks for the input das75

03/22/2008, 07:55 AM	#12
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	You will want to get it fixed somehow or shut if off for several days after it is full to allow it to drop a significant amount. The problem you will encouter is TDS creep. Every time it drops a fraction it kicks the RO on for a very brief run which produces a small amout of high TDS water. This TDS not only wears your DI out faster it can begin to collect in the storage container too since on the intital startup it can pass through the DI until is stabilizes. Float switches are a much better option. If not just shut it off until it drops enough the make up wil be several gallons so the creep is minimized. Spectrapure does group buys all the time, the locals just had one last week in fact. You can save a significant amount of money that way.

03/22/2008, 08:36 AM	#13
filippo Moved On Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Milano, Italy (Tempe, AZ) Posts: 623	i will look into that. thanks