Refillable Cartridges

[jg24]

Just thought I'd mention this. I was recently at Dirk's. I picked up 2 refillable cartridges for my RO/DI. One was for the DI resin and one for carbon. I only post this simply cause I didn't realize there was such a thing. I filled the carbon cartridge with regular EVS carbon. Also didn't know about using reg carbon. I would also like to remind everyone, to change their filters. In my case Scott Harv and I tested my water with his TDS meter. Reading before changing was something like 390s.(Wow) Only three days after changing sediment, carbon, and DI reading something like 140s. Pretty good improvement. I should also say as a disclaimer I hadn't changed my DI for like a year. Learn something new everyday. I guess I figured the DI resin wasn't used up till it all changed color. Well now I know better. Given that the reading is still 140s I think I may add another sediment stage. Thanks for listening to me ramble.

[Graham]

Yes, I got a couple of these from Dirk last week as well. With the price you pay for carbon and DI carts, it will pay for itself in about 2 or 3 changes (that's either within 6 months or 3 years, depending on who you are ). Also, you know exactly what is in the carts - I wonder what the quality is of the carbon they use in the refills...probably not even middle shelf, but still.

I need to get me a TDS meter...must put that at top of list, thanks Bob!

[dirk griffin]

Changing the r/o cartridges IMO almost always should be done every 6 months at a minimum. Some have the meters while others like most of us change them when it is convienent or just happen to remember to do it.
I have mentioned to some the easiest schedule for me is to time the 6 month changes with something else, holidays, birthdays.....so that when these days come up.....after a couple of times you are going to think I need to do something else???? My r/o changes are timed with fall aquarium shows. Mine are changed sept/oct and mar/april.
Another tip for you reuseable cartidrige users.........if the meters are telling you it is time, shake the units rather vigorously. The refillable stuff does still tend to channel from within itself. By shaking it your rechanneling it extending your change a few days to up to a month

[Soltaker]

You could change your cartridges the same day you change the batteries in your smoke detectors. Once in the spring, once in the fall.

[Energy]

I have a tds meter if any one needs to borrow one. I change mine when the meter reads about 14-21 ppm. I think something is wrong with your purifier if your only getting down to 140 or so. After I change my cartidges it is usually at Zero.

[David Grigor]

Also, depending on where you had been getting you di cartridges, many of them can be reusable. There is just a little bit of silicone on the bottom that can be loosened then the bottom can be taken off. Usually hold on it own upright but when I change cartridges and I handle upside down to be sure.

Also, I have a couple that were probably older di that even have the screw on bottoms.

[dirk griffin]

I thought the numbers seemed a bit odd or high also. Didn't think there are different scales to measure. How about bringing both of them to a meeting some time and check the same water. If anyone else has one, bring it too.

[Unresistible Blue]

Originally posted by jg24
I picked up 2 refillable cartridges for my RO/DI. One was for the DI resin and one for carbon. I filled the carbon cartridge with regular EVS carbon. Also didn't know about using reg carbon. In my case Scott Harv and I tested my water with his TDS meter. Reading before changing was something like 390s.(Wow) Only three days after changing sediment, carbon, and DI reading something like 140s. Pretty good improvement. I should also say as a disclaimer I hadn't changed my DI for like a year. I guess I figured the DI resin wasn't used up till it all changed color. Given that the reading is still 140s I think I may add another sediment stage.

If your system is putting out water at 140 ppm your DI resin is shot, and I suspect your membrane is too.

If you can answer these questions, we can figure it out:
What's the TDS in your Tap water?
What's the TDS in your post-RO water?
What's the TDS in your post-DI water? (140 ppm, right?)

In addition, adding another sediment cart won't directly improve the TDS in your output water. Carbon and sediment filters don't remove TDS - that's done by your membrane and DI resin.

You'd be better off using a carbon block cartridge rather than GAC carbon in order to protect your membrane.

Blue

[TBRUZZ]

Stan,

If the offer is still open I would like to borrow your tds meter..

thank you
tracy

[trodder]

Tracy, I have one as well I could borrow you. I can drop it off at your work if you like. When do you work today and tomorrow??

[T_Nuge]

I finally installed my RO/DI unit this past weekend after fighting an algae outbreak for as long as I could remember. A few years ago I went with one of those Kold-Sterile units that supposedly were just as good and didn't waste any water.
Well my tap water was 452TDS. Teh output of the Kold Sterile unit was....... 452TDS. And this was with a maximum of a couple hundred gallons through it. I wouldn't doubt if it was that high when new.

Installed RO/DI and at first my TDS was around 40 or so, was a little concerned because I heard that a properly functioning system shoul get down to 0 TDS. Well after letting it run for about 2 hours I took another TDS reading and got 0 TDS. So possibly if you get high readings right after switching things out you need to wait a while and take another reading?

I'm located out in Waconia, west metro area. I haven't made it to a meeting yet, 0 for 2, but if anyone on the west side of the Twin Cities needs a TDS meter just let me know, I'd be glad to borrow mine out.

Thanks,
Trent

[TBRUZZ]

trodder,

I am at work until 6 today(tues) and 2-9 tomorow..Thank you

[jg24]

Tracy,

I also just got one. I live pretty close to you. I'm only 5 miles from the golf course. H#651-501-0345 C#651-775-8845

[TBRUZZ]

Bob are you going to be home tonight are 6-7pm.

thanks
Tracy

[trodder]

Tracy, if you don't get one from Bob tonight, I'll bring you mine tomorrow.