New to RO, best way to operate?

[TangingOut]

So I just installed an RO/DI maxcap 90gpd system, which is my first RO unit. I've read through the instruction, but have a few questions.

First of all, I've calculated that I'll be needing about 70 gallons per month for top off and mixing saltwater.

What's the best way to achieve this? Make it all in a day and let it sit for the rest of the month? Break it in two parts with 15 days in between or back to back days?

Also, I should be flushing for 30 sec before and after making water?

[garyinco]

If you have somewhere light-tight to store 70 gallons - go for it all in one cycle. Your deionization media and the RO membrane will last longer that way. 2x35 gallons is not too shabby either. I make about 50 at a time for general use and my 20g ATO container autofills at once when it gets empty.

Flushing is good. I only flush when I manually fill the 50g container.Flushing for 10-15 seconds should be enough. You just need to push the sediments and whatever around the membrane. You don't need to blow it clear out your waste line.

Couple of other things to consider... Don't know if the maxcap is coming w/ a TDS meter or not. But I would want one. You can get one that measures both post RO membrane and post deionization for about $25. Tells you when the consumables are starting to wear/run out. Also, are you familiar with piggybacking an additional RO membrane? Doubles output capacity, thus reduces your waste water by half. Which is a huge deal to me as I also live in the desert southwest. Remember, for every gallon of final product you get you are blowing six down the drain if you have it set up correctly.

Did you calibrate and adjust your restriction tube when you set it up? That's important for the water quality and how much waste you produce.

Last thought, if you use any ice around the house research hooking it into your icemaker. The ice will look like diamonds. The boss will give you 0.01 justification points on the filter purchase. Not good for all-day drinking water though. Too stripped of minerals.

[slief]

Originally Posted by TangingOut

So I just installed an RO/DI maxcap 90gpd system, which is my first RO unit. I've read through the instruction, but have a few questions.

First of all, I've calculated that I'll be needing about 70 gallons per month for top off and mixing saltwater.

What's the best way to achieve this? Make it all in a day and let it sit for the rest of the month? Break it in two parts with 15 days in between or back to back days?

Also, I should be flushing for 30 sec before and after making water?

Maxcap comes with dual TDS meter which is important. Especially the one for the DI stage.

Flushing should be done every 30 gallons for best cartridge longevity and runs should be in 30 gallons or larger..As such, I would suggest making water every 30 gallons if not more but if you go more, try to flush at 30 gallons. You didn't mention which maxcap you got. There is an autoflush version, manual flush version and the UHE 1:1 version which is what I run. The UHE has an automatic flush that flushes with DI water. The standard Maxcap manual and autoflush version flush with tap water..

That said, you want to pay attention to the right side TDS meter the most.. I check mine every time I make water. When the input on the right side meter reads over 0TDS, I prepare to change the first DI cartridge (DI-MC-10HC). Be sure to use the HC cartridges by the way. The standard DI-MC-10 and second cartridge, DI-DB-10 don't last as long as the HC versions. If you change out the DI-MC-10HC at 1TDS, the DI-SB-10HC will last two to 3 times as long. I get several hundred gallons out of my DI-MC-10HC's and well over 1000 out of my SB-10HC's. My tap water TDS is in excess of 475 too..

I would strongly suggest keeping spare DI-MC-10HC's and a spare DI-SB-10HC on hand.. If you don't swap out the DI-MC-10HC when you start showing TDS above 1, you will kill the DI-SB-10 in a hurry. Also, if you store the spare DI cartridges in the refrigerator, they will last a lot longer.

Lastly, only use Spectrapure cartridges. They are by far the best cartridges and will last much longer than any other cartridge out there. They also test and flush each cartridge before packing them but when you install a new cartridge, make sure you run the RODI with the new cartridge installed and no cartridge in the one down stream. That means removing the DI-SB-10 when you install and new DI-MC-10 and allowing the RODI to run until you see 0 TDS on the input side of the right side TDS meter. Then install the DI-SB-10. When you are rinsing the cartridge make sure to disconnect the hose going to your RODI holding tank as that water that you are flushing with will have elevated TDS until the rinse is complete which can take several minutes. You can also disconnect the 1/4" line going out of the T fitting between the two DI stages with the TDS probe in it and install a 1/4" line there so you don't have to remove the DI-SB-10 and you don't have to remove the line going to your RODI holding tank. Once you are done rinsing, you can pull the 1/4" line you put in the T and reattach the second DI stage.

When setting up the new filter, you want to run water through each cartridge one at time and watch the TDS until it comes down and stabilizes just like mentioned above with the DI cartridges. One RO cartridge at a time followed by one DI cartridge at a time. The last RO cartridge before the DI should setting to 6 or 7 TDS. Maybe lower depending on your tap water quality. Once all are rinsed, you can start making water.

[TangingOut]

Thanks for the help and tips. I have the manual flush unit. One other question, with so much idle time between making water, should I just leave the water that's in each canister or dump it?

Gary, I'll look into piggybacking an additional membrane. I also live in the southwest, and seeing all that wasted water is not good and has me brainstorming idea on what it can be used for.

[mandarin_goby]

Check this thread out for uses of RO/DI wastewater:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1529001

I use my waste to top off my freshwater planted tank and store some outside in a trash can to water indoor and outdoor plants.

[slief]

Originally Posted by TangingOut

Thanks for the help and tips. I have the manual flush unit. One other question, with so much idle time between making water, should I just leave the water that's in each canister or dump it?

Gary, I'll look into piggybacking an additional membrane. I also live in the southwest, and seeing all that wasted water is not good and has me brainstorming idea on what it can be used for.

If the RODI water is in a sealed or covered container that is shielded from ambient light, it will last months.

[spsfragur]

i also know many that route their waste water to the washing machine....just another thought