DI Water Smells Funny

[smatter]

I have noticed this over the years that DI water has a different aroma, but this time it is unusually strong. What makes DI water smell funny? I'm guessing bacteria grows in the resin, or is it the accumulated compounds in the spent resin that smell? I have some fresh resin on the way.

 

[WarEagleNR88]

I think you are correct. Does the water smell fishy?

Do you have a TDS/EC meter? Turn on the RO/DI filter and let it run for 10-15 minutes. Fill a clean cup of water after this time and test the water with the meter. It should read very, very low. Near zero. If the EC is high it is most likely your DI resin that is going bad. TDS should be representative of your entire unit, but primarily your RO membrane effectiveness.

At least this is the way I understand it all.

 

[HowardW]

Some DI resins will give the water a bad odor when the resin is exhausted and needs replacing.

 

[hahnmeister]

Some resins smell like dead fish butt to begin with, and the first few batches of water can smell like it as well... if that is the case, dont worry, it will go away.

 

[jdieck]

Remember also that RO/Di is stripped out off everithing including any bacterial inhibitora (like chlorine or chloramine), in other words it can easily grow bacteria specially if not used frequently or if the water has been on storage or in the tubing for a while.

 

[smatter]

Thanks for all the replies. It is actually only a DI system. It is a carbon cartridge followed by two DI cartridges.

 

[smatter]

Well I think I threw away two perfectly good DI cartidges. I contacted Kent about the extra dark color of the resin because I wondered how I would see the color change. They requested a picture and determined that I somehow got exhausted media with my unit. They promptly sent replacements which I got today and installed and they look exactly the same. Unfortunately I opened the old ones and dumped the resin in the trash so I could inspect it. I guess I was just put off by the fishy smell. Bottom line: I need a meter. Any recommendations on a nice handheld unit? Thanks.

 

[WarEagleNR88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10092558#post10092558 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by smatter
Any recommendations on a nice handheld unit? Thanks.

I use the HM Digital COM-100 EC/TDS/Temp Monitor and I bought it from SpectraPure. It is a very good meter.

 

[smatter]

Thanks, I will check it out.

 

[Icefire]

If I were you I would add a RO membrane. DI will get used pretty quick without RO..

With 100tds you'll get less than 50G of pure water.

Which unit do you have?

 

[WarEagleNR88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10092796#post10092796 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Icefire
If I were you I would add a RO membrane. DI will get used pretty quick without RO..

With 100tds you'll get less than 50G of pure water.

Which unit do you have?

My thoughts as well. I know its a chunk of change for a great membrane but it really helps knock that ppm on the TDS to near zero. SpectraPure sells some great systems btw.

 

[smatter]

I have owned and used many ROs over the years at home and in the trade. I chose a DI only unit because I don't want to waste such a ridiculous amount of water anymore. The water is COLD here in the winter. I buy bulk DI resin so I can fill the cartridges for less than $5 and expect to get at least 200 gallons per fill. Not as cheap as RODI but way less than distilled from the store. It is the Kent Deion 200.