RO/DI Troubles

[raycityboy1]

I have the Ocean Reef Plus 1 by the filterguys. I have had it running since about March. Over a few months I noticed my quantity was decreasing and so was quality.

I called the filterguys and they suggested that I change out all three cartridges and changed all the resin. My quantity was still horrible although much better quality. I used to produce 75 gpd easily whereas a 5 gallon bucket in a day has become a staple. I contacted the filterguys and asked if there is any way in heck my membrane could be shot already. They assured me that it was not my membrane. They suggested that I put the system on a dedicated 1/4 line rather than the saddle peircing valve that comes with it, even though until this point, I never had a problem with flow. This led to no improvement in pressure or flow.

I did notice that when I changed all the cartridges, that all the cylinders filled up quickly until it came to the membrane, then it took forever to fill the di housing and produce usable water.


When I ordered new resin and cartridges I didn't order a membrane b/c I thought the life expectancy was like 3 years and thought that could never be the problem.

What do ya'll think? Is my membrane shot? I don't mind spending the nearly 50.00 bucks to get another one, but I want to know for a fact that that is the issue before I invest more in fixing the problem I cannot solve.

[nikonosis]

In 4 months there really is no way your membrane should be bad. If it is you must have some super bad water...

[Robwsup]

If it worked well before, it sounds like a bad or clogged membrane. Is filterguys an Ebay seller? Some of those outfits use the cheapest membranes possible. Try to a Dow membrane to replace it.

Got 50gpd and the new 150gpd membranes in the store

[raycityboy1]

Originally Posted by Robwsup

If it worked well before, it sounds like a bad or clogged membrane. Is filterguys an Ebay seller? Some of those outfits use the cheapest membranes possible. Try to a Dow membrane to replace it.

Got 50gpd and the new 150gpd membranes in the store

I am using a 75 gpd Dow filmtec membrane.

[Robwsup]

You could go up to the 150, but would need to change the flow restrictor on the waste line. A new one is included with the membrane.

[nikonosis]

isn't the 150 alot less efficient compared to the 75?

[patharm]

Hi Rob,

Can't you go on vacation? How's North Carolina doing? I will try to stop by Sunday hope to see you then. I am still interested in the Mistery Wrasse.

raycityboy1,

I have been using my membrane for 3 years now and it was a year old when I got it. Has your water pressure changed?

Patrick

[raycityboy1]

Originally Posted by patharm

Hi Rob,

raycityboy1,

I have been using my membrane for 3 years now and it was a year old when I got it. Has your water pressure changed?

Patrick

my pressure has never been over 40 psi which the filterguys says was low. my water source is across the street from a water tower, I have awesome water source pressure. When I put it on a dedicated 1/4" incoming tube i got no change in pressure.

Is my pressure so low that it cannot operate the membrane effectively now that the membrane is slightly used?

Does this mean I NEED a booster?

[nikonosis]

Originally Posted by raycityboy1

my pressure has never been over 40 psi which the filterguys says was low. my water source is across the street from a water tower, I have awesome water source pressure. When I put it on a dedicated 1/4" incoming tube i got no change in pressure.

Is my pressure so low that it cannot operate the membrane effectively now that the membrane is slightly used?

Does this mean I NEED a booster?

That could be the problem. Hopefully you can find a booster pump cheap because all the ones I have seen are expensive.

[Robwsup]

40psi is fine, you'll just make more waste water.

The 75gpd and 150 gpd membranes have a 98% rejection rate; it's the 100gpd that has a "poor" rejection rate of 95%. Rejection rate affects how long your DI resin lasts.

[raycityboy1]

I changed the membrane today. I am getting a TDS of 7 out of the membrane and 0 out of the DI. Water output is what it should be again. No more lugging water from the store for me. Woo hoo

[Loverotties]

Do you have city water or well?

[raycityboy1]

Originally Posted by Loverotties

Do you have city water or well?

City

The city water experts tell me that the water is as bad as it is b/c of farm runoff over the years. When I was treating city water way back when, I had all kinds of problems in my tank.