RO/DI new resin.....question!!

[MrsHaggis]

Hi we changed the resin on our RO/RI unit on Saturday. We ran through about 4 gallons of water and got the output reading down to about 003, and started filling up buckets for our next water change. Assuming that the TDS would eventually read 0.

However, I've started making up more buckets for the auto-top off and more water changes and the TDS output reading is 007. So that water is currently going down the sink. The water has been running for about 15 minutes; the reading start about 100 and something and quickly got down to 010 but it has taken about 10 minutes to get from 010 to 007. Is this normal??

[birddog486]

If this is a refillable container of DI resin, I've seen this happen if the resin isn't packed into the canister enough.

[drillsar]

are the filters new? Whats your GPD? 75 or 100? Check your source TDS, then check RO only TDS then with DI.

is your DI vertical?

[spleify]

Yep, good suggestions. What shape are your filters in, and when were they changed last? Like mentioned, check your RO water< then re-check your RO/DI water.

[MrsHaggis]

It is not refillable, we buy the canisters complete. They were installed on Saturday. I talked to the husband who installed it and he said that there really is not way to install them wrong. You just plug in the correct hoses in the correct canisters and that's that.

The system is verticle, but it's an RO only system (sorry I thought it was RO/DI but I think I've got it wrong). It's the Aqua Pro RO Water System, it has 3 canisters in total. One where the water goes in, passes through another 2 resins and then out the other side.

Source TDS is at 287, output still between 005/006.

We have now ran about 12 Gallons (good water) through the system, but I am wondering if the coldness of the water (probably about 0 to 2 degrees C) could have anything to do with it not going below/functioning correctly?

GPD?

[MrsHaggis]

OK, it has dropped to 004 now so I'm thinking that either it is taking longer to run in because the source water is soooo cold. Or we need to run a lot more than 4 gallons through this particular system (although it states 4-6 in the instructions) to get it down to 000 TDS.

[tommyb]

Originally Posted by MrsHaggis

GPD?

Gallons Per Day.

If it is only RO then you might not ever get to 0.

[spleify]

Originally Posted by tommyb

Gallons Per Day.

If it is only RO then you might not ever get to 0.

Yep

[drillsar]

You will never reach 0 with a RO only, I would plan to upgrade to a RO/DI unit, there is a guy that is real good and he is a reef central supporter there called the filter guys or go to airwater and ice and look at the typhoon.

You can ADD DI to your RO unit:

Single DI:

http://www.airwaterice.com/product/A...Adder_Kit.html

Double DI:

http://www.airwaterice.com/product/1...TDS_Meter.html

[RBU1]

And output is also based on starting tds. Your tds of 248 and an output of 4 in my opionion is good. But call and talk to one of the water experts. Check the sponsor list on here and call one of them they will help you.

[drillsar]

your RO is 98% rejection rate which is good, DI will do the rest and make it 0 or very close to 0. Filter Guys is very good he is on the sponsor list.

[MrsHaggis]

Our old setup (previous canisters) had an output of 000 - but they had been up and running for a while and maybe were better quality - who knows??

Our GPD is 75.

But I will look at adding a DI unit to our current RO unit.
I don't know if the filter guys will deliver to France but it's worth a try. I also posted them this question so they might come back with some insightful information.

I've started to use the water anyway since 004 is much better than tap water at 284 but will look at adding on the DI as soon as possible. Cosmic, more money to spend :O)

Thanks for all the info.

[drillsar]

Make sure your TDS meter is calibrated as well, I had a friend who said he was 0 but when I cehcked it with mine it said 12, he didnt know that he had to calibrate every so often.

Anything under 10 is good of course the main goal is 0.

[Playa-1]

I doubt you will get to 0 TDS. The .004 for an RO only is a good number. Is the TDS spiking up everytime you use the filter? If that is the case then I would say that is not normal. I'm also a little confused here. Is this a new filtration system or is it a used unit and the cartridges were just replaced. FYI, if the Cartridges especially the RO membrane do not get seated properly, That can cause problems with the filter performance.

[MrsHaggis]

Hi, Let me clear up some confusion.

The unit is one year old.
We got the TDS two weeks ago (I am assuming the husband calibrated it; he's in the pub right now so I'll ask when he gets back). We initially got the TDS because of a big algae bloom following the holidays. The reading we got was 000. Then after a few weeks (last Friday) the number jumped up to 003. We were expecting that anyway because the unit was a year old and we used it to fill up our new 95 gallon tank (as well as having used it for the 16 gallon tank).

So we went out and got new resins/membranes/canisters and fitted them on Saturday. Reading started very high, ran 8 gallons of water through it and the reading went down to 006. After another 6 gallons today the reading is 004. When we first start running through water the reading is quite high, about 100 but quickly reduces to 010; after that it decreases more slowly to 004.

Hope that clears up any misunderstandings.

We are going to add on a DI part to the system as soon as possible. We will start researching that tomorrow (that's the husbands job).

Thanks again for all the help.

I've started using the water at 006 - I had to; we were wasting gallons and I needed to do water changes and fill up the auto top-off. It's better than the 284 input reading that we have.

Cheers

[Playa-1]

I see Thanks for clearing that up. It sounds to me like you're good to go.

[MrsHaggis]

OK, so this morning I start running the water for my water changes. As usual it starts at about 100 and quickly starts to drop but after a couple of minutes we are not going below 029.

Aaaagghhhhhhh!!

I'm so sick of wasting water. So tonight we are going to take it all apart again and make sure that all the pipes are seated properly and anything else we can check. If that doesn't work then I'm going to sit and scream for a while. Then order a DI unit.

[drillsar]

If this is a 3 stage, Im guessing 1 sediment filter, 1 coconut block filter, 1 sediment filter or carbon filter:

1st Stage should be a 10 micron sediment filter
2nd Stage 5 Micron Carbon Block
3rd Stage either a 1 micron sediment(if u have Well Water) or carbon filter

Your membrane could be bad as well, you will need a Filmtec 75 GPD Membrane

[MrsHaggis]

OK, I'm feeling all kinds of stupid right now!!!

I've just realised that our RO system has 3 different "filters". So 3 totally seperate canisters. One to remove Dirt and Sand, one to remove Taste and Odour and one other one (which doesn't say what it does on it).

We changed the Dirt and Sand and Taste and Odour filters but the 3rd one - we didn't change. We went to the LFS where we bought it and the guy said we needed to change these two filters but never mentioned the 3rd one. And I stupidly didn't think about it until now.

I'm now getting a reading of 019 - it changes every time I switch the ruddy thing on. Could it be that we need to change the 3rd filter/membrane too in order to get a correct reading and usable water?

It's the AquaPro Pure system if anyone knows it.

Thanks again

[drillsar]

Ok this is no good for a reef System this is good for tap water.

This is what you need to do:

1st filter (SEDIMENT) 10 Micron
2nd Filter 5 Micron Carbon Block
3rd Filter 1 Micron Carbon Filter or Sediment(If you have well water)

Replace the taste filter thats good for taste not needed in reef tanks

Not sure if these will fit your RO Unit:

Sediment Filter(1st Filter, 10 micron)
http://www.airwaterice.com/product/P...Filter_10.html

Carbon Block(2nd Filter, 5 Micron)
http://www.airwaterice.com/product/G...ck_Filter.html

Carbon Block or Sediment(3rd Filter, 1 Micron)
http://www.airwaterice.com/product/G...ck_Filter.html

or buy a new RO typhoon from airwaterice.com which comes with DI

http://www.airwaterice.com/product/1...er_75_GPD.html

[drillsar]

I looked at the Aqua Pro Site:

This is what they have and Im going to tell you what to change:

1st Filter they have sediment filter 5 Micron change this to 10 Micron

2nd Filter Acivated Carbon dont say what Micron most likely 1 change this to 5

3rd Filter Membrane change this to Carbon Block 1 Micron

4th Filter Membrane

then you can add DI to make it a 5th stage.

1st Filter The reason for the change the 5 micron is to much for the 1st filter if you keep it this way you will need to change this filter often so thats why the change to 10 micron

So baically the membrane will take away 1 micron instead of 5 micron currenly this filter is doing now saving your membrne life.

1st Filter will take away anything 10 microns or more
2nd Filter5 Microns or more
3rd 1 micron or more
4th Membrane 0-1 Micron
Leaving you with a low TDS
DI will do the rest

I hope I make sense

[MrsHaggis]

OK, I'm looking at new systems now.
I thought that we were going to have to bite the bullet and get a new system. It all depends on who ships to France to be honest!!!

Also, changing just the filters; not sure if we can with our system. I think each canister is sealed/glued shut. Must ask the husband about that one!!

Ah more money......good job I don't have any other vices :O)

[drillsar]

I can check who will ship to france

[drillsar]

you know you can use distilled water in the mean time.

[drillsar]

call air water and ice. The typhoon system is one of the best. airwaterice.com

I think they will ship to france