RO needs some Viagra

my2girls · 01/20/2006, 10:56 PM

I recently moved my RO/DI system from work to home. It used to take 1.5 hours to fill a 5 gallon bucket. Since moving it to my house (in the same town), it now takes 3.5 hours to get 5 gallons. What do you think? Do I need a booster pump? Suggestions welcome.

BTW- RO/DI Coralife 50 GPD

MDboyz · 01/21/2006, 01:01 AM

Do you have the pressure meter for your RO/DI system?
Every RO membrance has the min pressure to produce certain gallon of water per day. If the water pressure is less than that, it will take longer time.

ReefLife1680 · 01/21/2006, 01:43 AM

cities have varying water pressure. test it and boost it if necessary?

merlock116 · 01/21/2006, 04:30 AM

definitely get the booster pump.

my2girls · 01/21/2006, 07:59 AM

Thanks guys. I don't have a pressure gauge now. The last few days have been in the 50s here (strange for January) so I can't blame it on cold weather.

MDboyz · 01/21/2006, 09:13 AM

How old is the RO membrance? .. As it is getting clogged, it will take longer to produce good water. Also, my RO/DI system take longer too when it is cold.

AZDesertRat · 01/21/2006, 12:01 PM

Both temperature and pressure affect the output of your RO. What is your water temperature? They are designed to operate at 77 degrees F. and will produce less at lower temperatures.
Depending on what membrane you have pressure could be an issue. Dow Filmtec membranes are designed to operate at 50 psi, Applied Membranes and GE Water membranes require 60 to 65 psi to produce the same amount of water. Always buy a Dow Filmtec if given the choice.

BeanAnimal · 01/21/2006, 12:06 PM

Water pressure is a direct relation to the elevation of you tap to that of the water tower that feeds it. Of course you may also have a pressure reglator that reduces the pressure of the pressure from the tower is to high.

Secondly even though it is 50* outside, the water in the pipes may still be much colder in your house, than it was a few months ago in your office. Depending on the size of your office and the plumbing configuration, the water may have well been warmed up quite a bit by the time it hit the RO/DI unit. In your house it's pretty much a straight shot from the cold street.

tkeracer619 · 01/21/2006, 12:43 PM

I dont reccoment 5 gallon buckets. My add lets me flood my house with ro one in every 7 buckets. LOL. A trashcan in a storage closet works wonders there like 45 gallon or so.

01/20/2006, 10:56 PM	#1
my2girls Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: West Hartford, CT Posts: 2,293	RO needs some Viagra I recently moved my RO/DI system from work to home. It used to take 1.5 hours to fill a 5 gallon bucket. Since moving it to my house (in the same town), it now takes 3.5 hours to get 5 gallons. What do you think? Do I need a booster pump? Suggestions welcome. BTW- RO/DI Coralife 50 GPD __________________ Always downsizing...

01/21/2006, 07:59 AM	#5
my2girls Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: West Hartford, CT Posts: 2,293	Thanks guys. I don't have a pressure gauge now. The last few days have been in the 50s here (strange for January) so I can't blame it on cold weather. __________________ Always downsizing...

01/21/2006, 12:43 PM	#9
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	I dont reccoment 5 gallon buckets. My add lets me flood my house with ro one in every 7 buckets. LOL. A trashcan in a storage closet works wonders there like 45 gallon or so. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

01/21/2006, 01:01 AM	#2
MDboyz Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Silver Spring, MD Posts: 662	Do you have the pressure meter for your RO/DI system? Every RO membrance has the min pressure to produce certain gallon of water per day. If the water pressure is less than that, it will take longer time.

01/21/2006, 01:43 AM	#3
ReefLife1680 Moved On Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,088	cities have varying water pressure. test it and boost it if necessary?

01/21/2006, 04:30 AM	#4
merlock116 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 969	definitely get the booster pump.

01/21/2006, 09:13 AM	#6
MDboyz Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Silver Spring, MD Posts: 662	How old is the RO membrance? .. As it is getting clogged, it will take longer to produce good water. Also, my RO/DI system take longer too when it is cold.

01/21/2006, 12:01 PM	#7
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Both temperature and pressure affect the output of your RO. What is your water temperature? They are designed to operate at 77 degrees F. and will produce less at lower temperatures. Depending on what membrane you have pressure could be an issue. Dow Filmtec membranes are designed to operate at 50 psi, Applied Membranes and GE Water membranes require 60 to 65 psi to produce the same amount of water. Always buy a Dow Filmtec if given the choice.

01/21/2006, 12:06 PM	#8
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	Water pressure is a direct relation to the elevation of you tap to that of the water tower that feeds it. Of course you may also have a pressure reglator that reduces the pressure of the pressure from the tower is to high. Secondly even though it is 50* outside, the water in the pipes may still be much colder in your house, than it was a few months ago in your office. Depending on the size of your office and the plumbing configuration, the water may have well been warmed up quite a bit by the time it hit the RO/DI unit. In your house it's pretty much a straight shot from the cold street.