ro system reviews?

[AZDesertRat]

All normal systems have 4:1 waste, this is what keeps the membrane surface flushed of solids. The only proven system that is a true 1:1 low waste is the MaxCap UHE ultra high efficiency system from Spectrapure. This is a microprocessor controlled system that is unique in the industry and works very well. I own one and am actually running it a 0.5:1 or 1/2 gallon waste to 1 gallon of good even with my tap water TDS that exceeds 800.
Reducing the waste stream on normal units shortens the life of the membrane, often drastically.

[HumanIMDB]

We may go with the UHE when/if we get the "big tank" built when we get a house to reduce the amount of water going down the drain.

The other thing I'm thinking of doing is adding a piggyback membrane to the 90 to double our output. I'll likely do that when it's time to replace the original RO membrane.

[jimnrose]

The MaxCap UHE is big bucks. Economics will win out over environmental concern this time. Thanks AJ

[HumanIMDB]

Originally posted by jimnrose
The MaxCap UHE is big bucks. Economics will win out over environmental concern this time. Thanks AJ

That was the decision we made too.

[reeferz2]

thx for all the advice one more ?....with these systems how long would it take to make a 50gal drum of water? Does it slow down the water flow a lot?

[HumanIMDB]

Originally posted by reeferz2
thx for all the advice one more ?....with these systems how long would it take to make a 50gal drum of water? Does it slow down the water flow a lot?

Actual production rate will vary depending on water temperature, water pressure, and the amount of total dissolved solids (TDS) in your tap water.

Our unit produces about 5 gallons of RO/DI water every hour. Not sure what the temperature is in the summer but in the winter it's pretty cold and our production rate drops. We have a booster pump to keep the pressure at the RO membrane between 60 and 80 psi. Not sure what the TDS of our tap water is either but I know it's a lot higher in the summer.

You will notice as the prefilters become clogged from removing particulates from the water, your pressure at the RO membrane will drop. I believe it is recommended to replace the prefilters if the pressure drops more than 15% as to not fowl the RO membrane.

[reeferz2]

at 5 gal every hour it will take 10 hours to make a water change!!!! You have got to be kidding right?

[AZDesertRat]

Remember a 75 GPD membrane makes 75 gallons in 24 hours. Thats about 3 gallons per hour at a water temperature of 77 degrees and pressure of 50psi for a Dow Filmtec and 65psi for a GE or Applied membranes membrane.
If you know what your water pressure and temperature are you can go to the top of the home page at www.buckeyefieldsupply.com and figure your anticipated GPD. He has a really nice calculator there.
This is the reason why people store RO/DI in a Brute trashcan or other vessel. I store my RO/DI in a 23 gallon Rubbermaid recycling can plus have 4 or 5 5G drinking water jugs around if I need more.

[reeferz2]

I had no idea it would take that long to fill a 50 gl can. That is insane!
You spend one day making water! I am glad I no longer live in Prescott! The water pressure there was very low in my area!

[HumanIMDB]

Sadly I am not...this is why we'll probably order a piggyback RO membrane for our unit when it comes time to replace the RO membrane that came with it...hopefully it will double our production rate.

Typically I fill enough 5 gallon jugs to top up the both tanks for 1 to 2 weeks and one or two 3 gallon jugs of just RO water for drinking every two weeks. I also make 35 gallons of water for a water changes in two 15 gallon Rubbermaid Brutes and a 5 gallon pail once a month.

We're in an apartment so we don't have a dedicated fish room and my girlfriend only tolerates having the RO/DI unit making water for a day because she knows that is our only option. Having all the containers scattered about in the kitchen just about pushes her to the limit.

When we get a house, we'll have a dedicated fish room and I'll look at getting a larger vessel to store RO/DI water and just leave the system running "on demand".

If you have low water pressure, I strongly recommend a booster pump.

[AZDesertRat]

You are filtering water down to the atomic level, not just pasing it through a Brita or Pur taste and odor filter. It takes time even under good conditions. My first MaxCap system was a dual membrane and I could make 240 GPD using 90 and 150 GPD Select membranes. My MaxCap UHE makes about 120 GPD with a single membrane since it includes a booster pump.

[g8gxp]

Is there anything you can do with the wastewater? Is it suitable for drinking? Seems like an awful lot of water being wasted

[rsteckly]

I am planning on running my waste water to my washing machine.... that way my water bill won't sky rocket too much. (I hope)....

[HumanIMDB]

Use for washing, watering plants, filling the pool/hot tub, etc.

[ektor]

HumanIMDB: I noticed you mentioned also using for drinking water.

How feasible would it be to split the output prior to the DI and send to a pressure tank then on to the fridge - Ice/drinking water?

[HumanIMDB]

Originally posted by ektor123
HumanIMDB: I noticed you mentioned also using for drinking water.

How feasible would it be to split the output prior to the DI and send to a pressure tank then on to the fridge - Ice/drinking water?

That's what I did. I have a T after the RO membrane with a valve on each output, one to the DI cartridges and the other to go into the container we put in the fridge.

You could drive both the DI cartridges and the pressure tank at the same time; I believe this is a fairly common setup.

[AZDesertRat]

The waste stream has been through a sediment and a carbon filter but the TDS will be 20 to 25% higher than tap water with a normal 4:1 waste ratio. In some areas of the country that may not be too bad but in Arizona the TDS is high enough, i sure don't want to dump it in my washer or swimming pool so my soap and chlorine bills go up.
You can use some in your washer but remember, if you are making 20 gallons of good water you have 80 gallons of waste to deal with, a washer sure isn't going to hold that much. It would be better to run it out in the yard or garden using an air gap so there is no chance of anything getting back to the unit.

[jpkboca]

I just bought a unit from BuckfieldSupply as well, should arive in a few days. Unfortunatly I have chloramines in my mater, so had to get the Chloramien system [which is basically the premium plus another filter]