BRUTE Container Needs Cleaned. When Why and How?

[crabbydan]

Ok I have been majorly frustrated with phosphates and TDS for the past year. I have a good supply of algae but nothing crazy long just enough to cover the rocks here and there. I never felt like GFO did much for me but I still run it and likely need to change it more often than I do. Based on a previous challenge post from SK8R I am now keeping a log of test and actions of everything on my main tank. So here is my delema (spelling? if my daughter with the english major was reading this she would kill me);
Keep in mind I am using a hand held TDS meter I have not calibrated in 6 months but it is good enough to tell me issues between different stages of my RODI water as you will see below.

Water out of the tap 630 - 670 TDS
Water out of new water softner not tested.
Water after RO units 37 TDS
Water after DI units 1 TDS
water in brute container after sitting one day 140 TDS.

So my question is what can possibly be in this brute container? I bought it new years ago. it has only been used for RODI water and to mix salt. Based on that information alone I have these questions;

1. How often should I clean this container?
2. What should I be using to clean this container?
3. Should I be using something else to store and mix my RODI and Salt in?

Help me!

 

[Joe0813]

I always clean mine after the third time its filled. I use vinegar and a magic eraser. then rinse it out real good with the hose and dry it

 

[billdogg]

Is it covered? Dust alone could cause that. Do you empty it completely every time after you have mixed salt? Any remaining saltwater will cause that as well.

Be that as it may. I clean my mixing barrel maybe twice a year - if I happen to notice that it needs it. I, too, use 1 barrel for both rodi storage/topoff water and then to mix the salt in for water changes. It sits open in the basement maybe 20 feet from my woodshop, so I'm certain dust gets in it.

I seriously doubt that your barrel is the cause of your phosphates. A much more likely culprit is the rocks in your tank leching it out.

You don't say what your PO4 readings are, but you do say that you know you should be changing the GFO more often.

Does your barrel test positive for PO4?

sorry for all the questions with few answers, but more info would be helpful

 

[FullBoreReefer]

Are you covering your container with a
Iid? Or open top?

 

[crabbydan]

Yes Phosphate levels i thought would be another post. Seems when I ask too many things in one post all of the questions don't get answered. So I want to identify and fix one thing at a time. Today it is TDS in brute container vs out of my RODI unit. Next three day weekend I plan to phosphate test every stage tank, container, water out of GFO reactor ect.. But for today just sticking with TDS levels and how and when to clean brute can. I dont always keep it covered but most of the time I do. So that is a good catch. And I have only cleaned it out with a towel and RO water about every 2 months.

 

[SantaMonica]

I thought everyone covered them. So you can start covering.

But if all you had in there was SW, then all that really matters is the TDS going in. "1" is not bad.

 

[crabbydan]

Dry erase eraser is brilliant
Fits right into the circle grove at the bottom of the can.

Thank you joe0813! And thanks to everyone else on the tip to keep it covered. I should have known that.

 

[crabbydan]

Ok replaced my water softner, cleaned out my brute can with 25% vinegar and 75% water and dry eraser. Tested TDS with hand held meter. Out of RODI was 1, filled the brute can retested and water tested at 2 TDS. Im ok with this.

 

[crabbydan]

ok 3 weeks later after 3 water changes. My TDS coming out of rodi system reads 0 to 1 put it in brute can that was cleaned out three weeks ago and while empty covered with lid in the house. Today filled can checked TDS in brute can and it reads 48. Do I need to clean the brute can after every water change? Keep in mind I have 2 cans one marked WC that is only used for waste water and a second that s only used to fill with clean rodi water and used to mix salt in. this second can is where i am wondering if i have an issue or is 48 tds just a residual effect of mixing salt in this can?

 

[daninflipflops]

i would not use softened water into your RO/DI, thats adding salt to the water that the RODI then has to remove. tie in before the softener if you can.

TDS readings in your brute is probably just dissolved salt in the water. salt is a dissolved solid. i would worry about this at all. as long as your water going in is good, and you clean it every so often, no issues.

 

[mcgyvr]

i would not use softened water into your RO/DI, thats adding salt to the water that the RODI then has to remove. tie in before the softener if you can.

NO.. Do not listen to this...
A RO/DI will last longer and will work better when there is a water softener upstream of the membrane..

 

[mcgyvr]

The TDS you are measuring is simply dust,etc.. from not covering it and residual salt,etc.. from mixing salt in that bucket..
Its not going to cause any harm and you certainly do not need to clean the container that often..
Maybe once every 3-6 months or so should be plenty provided you are keeping a lid on it..

 

[alcimedes]

Ok, did a bunch more reading. Sounds like the food grade cans are pretty much safe.

I'd still test the water out of the RO unit, then test the water from the Brute container after the TDS has gone up and see what if any tests show different values.

 

[SantaMonica]

A RO/DI will last longer and will work better when there is a water softener upstream of the membrane

This is interesting. Would this be because the minerals are lessened?