| General Reef Discussion In this forum we discuss issues related to keeping marine and reef aquariums in a friendly flame-free environment. |
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05-23-2006, 10:13 AM
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#1
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Stinky Slimey FEESH
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 1,797
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Check Those RO/DI Units
I have to share a big learning experience I had this weekend. Found out my RO/DI unit wasn't working, that is, it was putting massive amounts of phosphates and Gosh-knows in the RO water. I checked the output RO water and it was loaded with phosphates and the pH was way alkaline! I was shocked!
Come to find out, "someone" in my household (who will remain nameless) ran hot water through the RO unit. This ruins the membrane. Also, my resin DI canister was too old and wasn't removing phosphates. The carbon block also had to be exchanged.
I spent a bit of time and money but finally have a working RO unit that is putting out EXCELLENT quality water! Yippee!
I guess I never realized that testing your RO output water is important too. Thought I would pass this on.......whew!
HHC
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You can't kill a fish born to hang.....
135-gal Oceanic reef, MH, PC, Lunar
12-gal Nanocube
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05-23-2006, 10:19 AM
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#2
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Milkshake Man
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 9,641
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Wow that really sucks!!! My unit is in my garage. I open the side garage door and let the hose run for about 5 minutes to let all the hot water out. Then i hook it up to my unit and let it run. Then the waste water runs into one of our outside ponds.
I will check mine out tonight after i get home from work. I plan on making some new water tonight.
Tim
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05-23-2006, 10:29 AM
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#3
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BIG SMELLY MOD
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Livingston Parish, Denham Springs, Louisiana
Posts: 16,478
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Well , That is something You do have to check from time to time, I change out all filters every three months and the RO membrane every few years, You also need to have a inline TDS or hand held to check whats coming out. Sorry to hear you had a problem.
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Vince aka VINNIE
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05-23-2006, 10:45 AM
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#4
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Professor Chaos
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Arkham Asylum
Posts: 9,627
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I haven't changed any filters yet since i got mine and it still works great. if you have a high rejection rate on the filter the RO membrane will always last much longer.
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 I mix twinkies and ding dongs all the time, in Europe they call it a Dinky -- Homer Simpson
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05-23-2006, 01:41 PM
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#5
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REEFLVR
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 1,062
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Where do I get new filter replacements? My unit has three large filters in the main unit and 3 smaller filters on top of that.
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150 Gal tank,sump, DIY Skimmer, LR,LS
Coral beauty, Clown fish, 3 pajama cardinals
1 b/g chromis, YWG, cleaner shrimp
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05-23-2006, 03:49 PM
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#6
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Stinky Slimey FEESH
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 1,797
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I ordered my replacement filters on-line from Drs. Foster & Smith and also from thatfishplace.com. Thanks Vince for the sympathy - I feel like a doofus, should've known those filters don't last forever - - ah me!
HHC
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You can't kill a fish born to hang.....
135-gal Oceanic reef, MH, PC, Lunar
12-gal Nanocube
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05-23-2006, 04:02 PM
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#7
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Shark
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: maryland
Posts: 1,019
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Booboo33062
Where do I get new filter replacements? My unit has three large filters in the main unit and 3 smaller filters on top of that.
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Home Depot
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Founding Member of the
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05-23-2006, 06:47 PM
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#8
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Admin/ Super mod
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: New Castle, Delaware
Posts: 20,084
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jack is right,
check the paper work that came with it, a lot of the filters are inthe water section right next the the PVC pipes
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Tim
need something to read? just ask me.
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05-23-2006, 06:52 PM
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#9
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Rockin-Roll Mod
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Coal Valley Illinois
Posts: 5,364
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Spectrapure 
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05-23-2006, 10:55 PM
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#10
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senior member
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Walnut Grove, SC, USA
Posts: 13,225
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Spectrapure
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Tom <"))))>(
(TDWyatt)
Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something. -Plato
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05-23-2006, 11:09 PM
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#11
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Milkshake Man
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 9,641
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spectrapure here also!
Tim
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05-23-2006, 11:15 PM
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#12
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Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Montana
Posts: 5,299
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I get my fliter replacements of ebay (I got 6 prefilters and 6 carbons for under $50); make sure the sediment filter is 1 micron and the carbon is a carbon block (not granulated). DI I buy bulk and fill my own cartridge.
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~Vince
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05-23-2006, 11:23 PM
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#13
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Milkshake Man
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 9,641
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I get the sediment filters on ebay also and yes 1 micron is a must on those. The last set of Carbon Block filters i got i got at Ace 5 micron filters. I got 2 of them for $10. I am going to start buying the resin in bulk becasue it is cheaper.
Tim |
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05-27-2006, 09:22 PM
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#14
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Reefman
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Ohio
Posts: 68
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Twitterbait
I haven't changed any filters yet since i got mine and it still works great. if you have a high rejection rate on the filter the RO membrane will always last much longer.
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If you leave the sediment filter in too long, it will reduce the water pressure reaching the membrane. Same thing for the carbon prefilter, assuming you have a carbon block. Additionally, if you leave the carbon prefilter in too long it will allow chlorine to reach the membrane.
If you leave the DI resin in too long it will start to do more harm than good...
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www.BuckeyeFieldSupply.com
200g tank w/ southdown dsb, ~150 lbs live rock, 2 Maxijet 1200, 2 x 400w MH, 2 x 165w actinic blue; 55g refugium with dsb, grape and razor, normal output on 24 hrs, Minijet 404; 44g rubbermaid brute sump. Iwaki 70 pump.
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05-27-2006, 09:24 PM
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#15
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Reefman
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Ohio
Posts: 68
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by drsyme
Home Depot
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You'll not find small pore sediment filter, high quality carbon blocks, or DI resin at Home DepoT
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www.BuckeyeFieldSupply.com
200g tank w/ southdown dsb, ~150 lbs live rock, 2 Maxijet 1200, 2 x 400w MH, 2 x 165w actinic blue; 55g refugium with dsb, grape and razor, normal output on 24 hrs, Minijet 404; 44g rubbermaid brute sump. Iwaki 70 pump.
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