Check Those RO/DI Units

Hardhead Cat · 05-23-2006, 10:13 AM

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

Tim224DT · 05-23-2006, 10:19 AM

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

VWD · 05-23-2006, 10:29 AM

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.

Twitterbait · 05-23-2006, 10:45 AM

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.

Booboo33062 · 05-23-2006, 01:41 PM

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.

Hardhead Cat · 05-23-2006, 03:49 PM

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

drsyme · 05-23-2006, 04:02 PM

Quote:

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.

Home Depot

tims · 05-23-2006, 06:47 PM

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

Brent Cone · 05-23-2006, 06:52 PM

Spectrapure

tdwyatt · 05-23-2006, 10:55 PM

Spectrapure

Tim224DT · 05-23-2006, 11:09 PM

spectrapure here also!

Tim

wharyat · 05-23-2006, 11:15 PM

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.

Tim224DT · 05-23-2006, 11:23 PM

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

Unresistible Blue · 05-27-2006, 09:22 PM

Quote:

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.

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...

Unresistible Blue · 05-27-2006, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drsyme

Home Depot

You'll not find small pore sediment filter, high quality carbon blocks, or DI resin at Home DepoT