RO trouble

Colin · 04/12/2008, 06:46 AM

I'm having problems with my RO since I moved.

Old house: ~200 PPM tap water, 2-4 PPM output. 70 PSI.

New house: ~375 PPM tap water, 35-40 PPM output. 70 PSI.

The membrane was a Dow filmtek, 75 GPD. I thought it might have a problem, so I replaced it with a 150 GPD from AWI. Both are rated at 98% rejection. There is no difference in rejection between the two in the new house. Membrane is seated (and a ***** to get out, so I know it's tight). Is there something fundamental I'm missing, or is something sneaking through?

Thanks for any help,

--Colin

rbursek · 04/12/2008, 08:47 AM

What are you testing with? In line hand held?

atvdave · 04/12/2008, 08:51 AM

Did you put a new flow restrictor on as well?

If you didn't, you will need a 150 flow restrictor.

Also make sure that that you are getting a 4:1 ratio of WAST:GOOD water.

DarG · 04/12/2008, 09:08 AM

It may very well be possible that the new membrane has inflated specs. AZ Desert rat will chome in, Im sure. He probably knows the AWI product but I think it;s more common for 150 GPD membranes to be closer to 90-92%

The comment on changing the flow restrictor to a 150 gpd restrictor is dead on. You have to use a flow restrictor that matches the membrane rating.

If those membranes really only do 90% then your TDS numbers coming out would be right.

Maybe the Dow membrane dried out too much during the move. That could account for the higher TDS with the filmtec after the move.

AZ Desert rat will chime in and correct me and/or add some more relevant information.

Colin · 04/12/2008, 12:18 PM

I'm using the flow restrictor that came with it, supposed to be for 150 GPD. I haven't checked the waste ratio, guess I probably should!

I've tested with hand-held and inline meters. The readings are very close together.

Thanks,

--Colin

Colin · 04/24/2008, 07:03 AM

Update:

Water in: 371 TDS, 70 PSI (after the prefilters).

Out: 25 TDS. 93.3% rejection.

The included flow restrictor was way off. It was more like 8:1. I put on an adjustable one and set it to 4:1, but it still didn't help. It's putting out approximately 75 GPD now with the new restrictor.

Any more thoughts?

--Colin

DarG · 04/24/2008, 09:23 AM

What membrane, the 75 GPD Filmtec or the 150 GPD AWI?

If its the AWI then, as I mentioned, I highly doubt it can do 98%. After the 75 GPD membranes the higher GPD units really drop the rejection rate. AZ is a water treatment expert and has said something about the higher capacity membranes not being true RO membranes. They are actually nano filters or something like that. If you are getting 93% from the AWI 150 GPD then it is probably working right.

If it is the Dow Filmetc 75 that is giving you 93% then either the membrane is not seated right or may need to be replaced. How long was the unit disconnected during your move. If they sit for a while they can possibly dry out. Im not sure if they can foul but I imagine that would be possible as well if the stayed moist in the same water because of no flow. Regardless, I would think that if it was working fine before the move and now isnt, it probably is time for a new one assuming you have the membrane seated right, the flow restrictor is working right etc.

You can PM AZdesertrat, he is the water treatment guy. He will have more or better info.

AZDesertRat · 04/24/2008, 09:51 AM

Is this RO only or RO/DI? If its RO it could be a hairline crack in the housing or an o-ring not sealing. A very very light coating of silicone grease or vaseline is advised on rubber sealing surfaces, both gaskets and o-rings.
If its RO/DI try testing before the DI filter and see if the problem is in the DI. I don't see a mention of DI so this is probably not the case.

DarG · 04/24/2008, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AZDesertRat
Is this RO only or RO/DI? If its RO it could be a hairline crack in the housing or an o-ring not sealing. A very very light coating of silicone grease or vaseline is advised on rubber sealing surfaces, both gaskets and o-rings.
If its RO/DI try testing before the DI filter and see if the problem is in the DI. I don't see a mention of DI so this is probably not the case.

AZdesertrat ... The RO was working fine until after the OP moved and set it back up. He hasnt stated how long it was down for during the move. But is it possible that the membrane either dried out during the down time or fouled from not having a frequent flow of water through it?

Colin · 04/24/2008, 01:30 PM

It was only down a few days during the move. I replaced the 75G because it was having the same problem. Both are supposed to be 98% rejection.

It is a RO/DI system, but these numbers are pre-DI (RO only). AZ, where would I look for a crack?

Thanks,

--Colin

AZDesertRat · 04/24/2008, 01:41 PM

Might be impossible to see but it would be inside the RO housing, possibly around where the nipple o-rings seat.
It could very possibly be a bad 150 GPD. I know Spectrapure tried selling them for a very short time but they could not find enough of them that would meet their strict testing requirements so they discontinued them. I was lucky enough to get one that tested out well and combined it with the 90 GPD I already had and was getting 240 GPD at 99+% rejection.
There are those that will argue but I am a firm believer in Spectrapures hand tested and guaranteed membranes, you pay for the service but it pays you from then on in DI savings. No one else guarantees their membranes performance in writing.

DarG · 04/24/2008, 02:18 PM

But Spectrapure doesnt guarantee 99%. They Guarantee 98%.
If you already get better than 98% from an off the shelf membrane at less than half the cost then what is the benefit of paying more than double for the Spectrapure that isnt guaranteed to do any better than my OTC Filmtec is already doing? I guess I just dont see it.
With high CO2 it even makes less sense to me as it wont make a bit of difference even if it did 100% unless and/or until the high CO2 issue can be addressed. FOR ME, it makes no sense.

AZDesertRat · 04/24/2008, 02:35 PM

They guarantee 98+% and thats with 800+ TDS Tempe AZ water used for testing purposes. They also have a test lab where they make up large several hundred gallon batches of even higher TDS water for testing units.
Take a look at their Sponsors Forum and it details a lot of what they do. Not only do they test the membranes they use a proprietary pickling solution on all their membranes, Dows included which also increases efficiency and production. All their membranes are shipped wet in this solution, yet another unique service.
Phoenix and the surrounding areas have very high CO2 in their water, enough so I was only getting 150 gallons out of a mixed bed resin cartridge refill no matter whose resin it was, I tried them all. With the better membrane and Spectrapures hand tested, custom blended and hand packed resins i now exceed 800 gallons per DI refill. Big difference. last time I was in their shop they showed me a long term bench test in progress where they are testing every rein they can lay their hand on. They have cartridges all over the place all hooked up to data loggers and meters for a true scientific bench test. Nothing leaves their facility unless its the very best, they don't repackage stuff they engineer it in house and through beta testers all over the world.
Its worth the difference in almost all cases.

DarG · 04/24/2008, 03:05 PM

I still dont see how Im guaranteed better than 2 ppm TDS after RO with the double price membrane? They can test an pickle the membrane all they want but it is still only guaranteed for the 98% or better. I can spend the 100 bucks and still get 2 TDS or maybe, possibly get 1 TDS but not guaranteed. Still makes no sense to me.
As far as the CO2 goes, it doesnt affect the TDS reading from what I understand. From everything I have read the membrane does not remove it. So I wonder if Spectrapure will guarantee me that I will get longer resin life from my resin if I switch to one of their membranes? Somehow I dont think that they will do that, do you?

But the DI resin sounds interesting. If they offer a DI resin that will process 4 X as much water before exhausting under the high CO2 in my water and without costing 4 X as much, then that would be worth it. But the double cost membrane still makes no sense for me unless they guarantee it to remove a signifigant amount of CO2 so that my current DI resin lasts long enough before exhaustion that the membrane will actually pay for itself.

AZDesertRat · 04/24/2008, 03:23 PM

Spectrapure writes the test data right on the membrane housing with a Sharpie so you can see exactly what you bought and paid for. Every Select membrane has its individual results right there for you to see.

Look at the MaxCap DI cartridge. The combination of that and a SilciaBuster cartridge gives me good life and true 18.2 megaohm resistivity water. I borrowed a lab grade benchtop Thornton conductivity meter to test it since it was way lower than a TDS meter could register.
I got 630 gallons out of my very first MaxCap cartridge, a little over 800 out of the second and the third one had about 800 gallons on it and was still registering 0 TDS with a COM-100 handheld when I sold the system to a friend. The original SilicaBuster cartridge was still in the unit untouched and again registering 0 TDS too. They say replace the SilicaBuster after 3 MaxCaps but I don't know if they have changed it yet or not since it was still chugging away.
Let me preface that by saying my tap water TDS averaged 835 for that 18 month period and my RO only TDS varied between 5.3 and 6.2. There was a period when they changed the surface water blend and treatment in Phoenix and my tap TDS dropped into the high 600's and the RO TDS dropped to 3.8 to 4.2.

If you have pretty low tap water TDS its tougher to see how well it works but its still worth the extra cost when you figure for every 2% you increase the membrane efficiency you double your DI life. Combine the efficient RO membrane with the efficient DI system and its a real winner. Then you add in the better 0.5 or 0.2 micron prefilter and 0.5 micron carbon block which both extend the life of the membrane and DI and you can't lose.

DarG · 04/24/2008, 03:27 PM

I just went over the Spectrapure site again and I dont seen anything at all adressing superior CO2 removal with their membranes or their DI for that matter. In fact, they address CO2 by suggesting the use of a degassing tower complete with drawing and instructions. All due respect but I think that a degasser will have much more impact on reducing CO2 and therefore extending resin life than an expensive treated, culled RO membrane or Di resin that is more costly than most. And a degassing tower can be built for the cost of some PVC pipe and an air pump. The only thing holding me back is figuring out how to integrate it and retain automation adding a second float switch set up.

It's expensive enough already for prefilters, membranes and DI resin. All I care about is that I get 2 after RO and 0 after DI. To spend two or three times as much to get the same results with maybe slightly better resistivity is not a priority nor an expense I can personally justify when my tank is telling me that there is absolutely nothing wrong with my water, nothing. If I could extend my resin life I would be happy and the most effective and cost effective way to do that is degassing. So I cant see any reason to spend more money at Spectrapure when the Filter Guys offer me the products and service that gives my tank great water and does so much more affordably. I know that Spectrpure has great products. maybe even the best.
But in the end when you really come down to it I think it is marginally better overall and not better enough overall to make one bit of difference in the success and health of my tank or it's inhabitants. People have different priorities and spending my money on something that really does not need any improvement, my water filtration, is not one of mine. It is pretty evident to me that if Spectrapure made DI resin that was made to tackle high CO2 supply waters that they would say so. Getting into seperate cation and anion and then an additional mixed bed resin is not what I need to do nor what I need to spend my money on. If I wanted to do that I could just do it for less with the Filter Guys. I just need to blow off the CO2 ... nothing else needs improvement nor the cost that comes with it and neither is going to give me a healthier, better tank. maybe if I had 800 ppm TDS but I dont. I have 160 - 2 after ro - 0 after DI and for much less money.

Thanks AZ. I appreciate your time, expertise ...... and passion

AZDesertRat · 04/24/2008, 04:22 PM

Absolutely. Degassing the CO2 is the best alternative by far but like you mentioned, building a tower and repumping is not an easy thing to swallow. I have equipment scattered all over the place now as it is!

I wish I was as lucky as you with a TDS of 160. it wouldn't be quite as big a deal then but I have seen actual numbers showing savings over time that maybe I can get them to share with you, it might change your mind. If you have never experienced the difference its hard to fathom. When I went from a AWI Typhoon setup to a MaxCap it was night and day. I'll never go back for sure.

DarG · 04/24/2008, 05:40 PM

My DI resin will cost me very little if I degass and get the CO2 down. And I will get around to building the tower, its just when that is the question. Really, with 2 after RO and 0 after DI, if I can get the CO2 down so I get some real life out of my resin I wont be wanting or needing for anything else from my RO/DI system. The water purity/quality is beyond very good already.

AZDesertRat · 04/24/2008, 05:55 PM

Rub it in

I'll trade you my 835 any day! With all the minerals it tastes really good.....

DarG · 04/24/2008, 06:09 PM

I meant after filtration. The TDS is low in the supply but the water smells like a lab. I dont drink tap water anyway, I drink bottled, purified or distilled. I drink a lot of water but it cant taste like anything. If it has any taste at all, I wont drink it.

I would put a carbon post filter on the ro/di but it is in the garage, in florida. The heat cant be good, there has to be something funky that can grow on that membrane after the water has gone through those carbon prefilters. It doesnt take long for the first sediment filter to start taking on a funky orangish brown color after I replace the prefilters.

04/12/2008, 06:46 AM	#1
Colin Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 848	RO trouble I'm having problems with my RO since I moved. Old house: ~200 PPM tap water, 2-4 PPM output. 70 PSI. New house: ~375 PPM tap water, 35-40 PPM output. 70 PSI. The membrane was a Dow filmtek, 75 GPD. I thought it might have a problem, so I replaced it with a 150 GPD from AWI. Both are rated at 98% rejection. There is no difference in rejection between the two in the new house. Membrane is seated (and a ***** to get out, so I know it's tight). Is there something fundamental I'm missing, or is something sneaking through? Thanks for any help, --Colin

04/24/2008, 03:27 PM	#16
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	I just went over the Spectrapure site again and I dont seen anything at all adressing superior CO2 removal with their membranes or their DI for that matter. In fact, they address CO2 by suggesting the use of a degassing tower complete with drawing and instructions. All due respect but I think that a degasser will have much more impact on reducing CO2 and therefore extending resin life than an expensive treated, culled RO membrane or Di resin that is more costly than most. And a degassing tower can be built for the cost of some PVC pipe and an air pump. The only thing holding me back is figuring out how to integrate it and retain automation adding a second float switch set up. It's expensive enough already for prefilters, membranes and DI resin. All I care about is that I get 2 after RO and 0 after DI. To spend two or three times as much to get the same results with maybe slightly better resistivity is not a priority nor an expense I can personally justify when my tank is telling me that there is absolutely nothing wrong with my water, nothing. If I could extend my resin life I would be happy and the most effective and cost effective way to do that is degassing. So I cant see any reason to spend more money at Spectrapure when the Filter Guys offer me the products and service that gives my tank great water and does so much more affordably. I know that Spectrpure has great products. maybe even the best. But in the end when you really come down to it I think it is marginally better overall and not better enough overall to make one bit of difference in the success and health of my tank or it's inhabitants. People have different priorities and spending my money on something that really does not need any improvement, my water filtration, is not one of mine. It is pretty evident to me that if Spectrapure made DI resin that was made to tackle high CO2 supply waters that they would say so. Getting into seperate cation and anion and then an additional mixed bed resin is not what I need to do nor what I need to spend my money on. If I wanted to do that I could just do it for less with the Filter Guys. I just need to blow off the CO2 ... nothing else needs improvement nor the cost that comes with it and neither is going to give me a healthier, better tank. maybe if I had 800 ppm TDS but I dont. I have 160 - 2 after ro - 0 after DI and for much less money. Thanks AZ. I appreciate your time, expertise ...... and passion Last edited by DarG; 04/24/2008 at 03:50 PM.

04/12/2008, 08:47 AM	#2
rbursek Moved On Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: germantown,wi Posts: 2,339	What are you testing with? In line hand held?

04/12/2008, 08:51 AM	#3
atvdave Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newburgh, IN Posts: 1,763	Did you put a new flow restrictor on as well? If you didn't, you will need a 150 flow restrictor. Also make sure that that you are getting a 4:1 ratio of WAST:GOOD water.

04/12/2008, 09:08 AM	#4
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	It may very well be possible that the new membrane has inflated specs. AZ Desert rat will chome in, Im sure. He probably knows the AWI product but I think it;s more common for 150 GPD membranes to be closer to 90-92% The comment on changing the flow restrictor to a 150 gpd restrictor is dead on. You have to use a flow restrictor that matches the membrane rating. If those membranes really only do 90% then your TDS numbers coming out would be right. Maybe the Dow membrane dried out too much during the move. That could account for the higher TDS with the filmtec after the move. AZ Desert rat will chime in and correct me and/or add some more relevant information.

04/12/2008, 12:18 PM	#5
Colin Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 848	I'm using the flow restrictor that came with it, supposed to be for 150 GPD. I haven't checked the waste ratio, guess I probably should! I've tested with hand-held and inline meters. The readings are very close together. Thanks, --Colin

04/24/2008, 07:03 AM	#6
Colin Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 848	Update: Water in: 371 TDS, 70 PSI (after the prefilters). Out: 25 TDS. 93.3% rejection. The included flow restrictor was way off. It was more like 8:1. I put on an adjustable one and set it to 4:1, but it still didn't help. It's putting out approximately 75 GPD now with the new restrictor. Any more thoughts? --Colin

04/24/2008, 09:23 AM	#7
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	What membrane, the 75 GPD Filmtec or the 150 GPD AWI? If its the AWI then, as I mentioned, I highly doubt it can do 98%. After the 75 GPD membranes the higher GPD units really drop the rejection rate. AZ is a water treatment expert and has said something about the higher capacity membranes not being true RO membranes. They are actually nano filters or something like that. If you are getting 93% from the AWI 150 GPD then it is probably working right. If it is the Dow Filmetc 75 that is giving you 93% then either the membrane is not seated right or may need to be replaced. How long was the unit disconnected during your move. If they sit for a while they can possibly dry out. Im not sure if they can foul but I imagine that would be possible as well if the stayed moist in the same water because of no flow. Regardless, I would think that if it was working fine before the move and now isnt, it probably is time for a new one assuming you have the membrane seated right, the flow restrictor is working right etc. You can PM AZdesertrat, he is the water treatment guy. He will have more or better info.

04/24/2008, 09:51 AM	#8
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Is this RO only or RO/DI? If its RO it could be a hairline crack in the housing or an o-ring not sealing. A very very light coating of silicone grease or vaseline is advised on rubber sealing surfaces, both gaskets and o-rings. If its RO/DI try testing before the DI filter and see if the problem is in the DI. I don't see a mention of DI so this is probably not the case.

04/24/2008, 01:30 PM	#10
Colin Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 848	It was only down a few days during the move. I replaced the 75G because it was having the same problem. Both are supposed to be 98% rejection. It is a RO/DI system, but these numbers are pre-DI (RO only). AZ, where would I look for a crack? Thanks, --Colin

04/24/2008, 01:41 PM	#11
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Might be impossible to see but it would be inside the RO housing, possibly around where the nipple o-rings seat. It could very possibly be a bad 150 GPD. I know Spectrapure tried selling them for a very short time but they could not find enough of them that would meet their strict testing requirements so they discontinued them. I was lucky enough to get one that tested out well and combined it with the 90 GPD I already had and was getting 240 GPD at 99+% rejection. There are those that will argue but I am a firm believer in Spectrapures hand tested and guaranteed membranes, you pay for the service but it pays you from then on in DI savings. No one else guarantees their membranes performance in writing.

04/24/2008, 02:18 PM	#12
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	But Spectrapure doesnt guarantee 99%. They Guarantee 98%. If you already get better than 98% from an off the shelf membrane at less than half the cost then what is the benefit of paying more than double for the Spectrapure that isnt guaranteed to do any better than my OTC Filmtec is already doing? I guess I just dont see it. With high CO2 it even makes less sense to me as it wont make a bit of difference even if it did 100% unless and/or until the high CO2 issue can be addressed. FOR ME, it makes no sense.

04/24/2008, 02:35 PM	#13
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	They guarantee 98+% and thats with 800+ TDS Tempe AZ water used for testing purposes. They also have a test lab where they make up large several hundred gallon batches of even higher TDS water for testing units. Take a look at their Sponsors Forum and it details a lot of what they do. Not only do they test the membranes they use a proprietary pickling solution on all their membranes, Dows included which also increases efficiency and production. All their membranes are shipped wet in this solution, yet another unique service. Phoenix and the surrounding areas have very high CO2 in their water, enough so I was only getting 150 gallons out of a mixed bed resin cartridge refill no matter whose resin it was, I tried them all. With the better membrane and Spectrapures hand tested, custom blended and hand packed resins i now exceed 800 gallons per DI refill. Big difference. last time I was in their shop they showed me a long term bench test in progress where they are testing every rein they can lay their hand on. They have cartridges all over the place all hooked up to data loggers and meters for a true scientific bench test. Nothing leaves their facility unless its the very best, they don't repackage stuff they engineer it in house and through beta testers all over the world. Its worth the difference in almost all cases.

04/24/2008, 03:05 PM	#14
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	I still dont see how Im guaranteed better than 2 ppm TDS after RO with the double price membrane? They can test an pickle the membrane all they want but it is still only guaranteed for the 98% or better. I can spend the 100 bucks and still get 2 TDS or maybe, possibly get 1 TDS but not guaranteed. Still makes no sense to me. As far as the CO2 goes, it doesnt affect the TDS reading from what I understand. From everything I have read the membrane does not remove it. So I wonder if Spectrapure will guarantee me that I will get longer resin life from my resin if I switch to one of their membranes? Somehow I dont think that they will do that, do you? But the DI resin sounds interesting. If they offer a DI resin that will process 4 X as much water before exhausting under the high CO2 in my water and without costing 4 X as much, then that would be worth it. But the double cost membrane still makes no sense for me unless they guarantee it to remove a signifigant amount of CO2 so that my current DI resin lasts long enough before exhaustion that the membrane will actually pay for itself.

04/24/2008, 03:23 PM	#15
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Spectrapure writes the test data right on the membrane housing with a Sharpie so you can see exactly what you bought and paid for. Every Select membrane has its individual results right there for you to see. Look at the MaxCap DI cartridge. The combination of that and a SilciaBuster cartridge gives me good life and true 18.2 megaohm resistivity water. I borrowed a lab grade benchtop Thornton conductivity meter to test it since it was way lower than a TDS meter could register. I got 630 gallons out of my very first MaxCap cartridge, a little over 800 out of the second and the third one had about 800 gallons on it and was still registering 0 TDS with a COM-100 handheld when I sold the system to a friend. The original SilicaBuster cartridge was still in the unit untouched and again registering 0 TDS too. They say replace the SilicaBuster after 3 MaxCaps but I don't know if they have changed it yet or not since it was still chugging away. Let me preface that by saying my tap water TDS averaged 835 for that 18 month period and my RO only TDS varied between 5.3 and 6.2. There was a period when they changed the surface water blend and treatment in Phoenix and my tap TDS dropped into the high 600's and the RO TDS dropped to 3.8 to 4.2. If you have pretty low tap water TDS its tougher to see how well it works but its still worth the extra cost when you figure for every 2% you increase the membrane efficiency you double your DI life. Combine the efficient RO membrane with the efficient DI system and its a real winner. Then you add in the better 0.5 or 0.2 micron prefilter and 0.5 micron carbon block which both extend the life of the membrane and DI and you can't lose.

04/24/2008, 04:22 PM	#17
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Absolutely. Degassing the CO2 is the best alternative by far but like you mentioned, building a tower and repumping is not an easy thing to swallow. I have equipment scattered all over the place now as it is! I wish I was as lucky as you with a TDS of 160. it wouldn't be quite as big a deal then but I have seen actual numbers showing savings over time that maybe I can get them to share with you, it might change your mind. If you have never experienced the difference its hard to fathom. When I went from a AWI Typhoon setup to a MaxCap it was night and day. I'll never go back for sure.

04/24/2008, 05:40 PM	#18
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	My DI resin will cost me very little if I degass and get the CO2 down. And I will get around to building the tower, its just when that is the question. Really, with 2 after RO and 0 after DI, if I can get the CO2 down so I get some real life out of my resin I wont be wanting or needing for anything else from my RO/DI system. The water purity/quality is beyond very good already.

04/24/2008, 05:55 PM	#19
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Rub it in I'll trade you my 835 any day! With all the minerals it tastes really good.....

04/24/2008, 06:09 PM	#20
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	I meant after filtration. The TDS is low in the supply but the water smells like a lab. I dont drink tap water anyway, I drink bottled, purified or distilled. I drink a lot of water but it cant taste like anything. If it has any taste at all, I wont drink it. I would put a carbon post filter on the ro/di but it is in the garage, in florida. The heat cant be good, there has to be something funky that can grow on that membrane after the water has gone through those carbon prefilters. It doesnt take long for the first sediment filter to start taking on a funky orangish brown color after I replace the prefilters.