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[cpucpu]

I have been throubleshooting since september 2016, i think i have mostly figured it out. Still there are some issues.

I have a 5 stages RO system. DAO Filmtec 75GPD RO membrane, booster pump, no DI.

Just some facts:
- Tap water is around 550 tds. You can't drink city water.
- Two months ago my brand new RO membrane was giving 50-60 tds.
- Now first cup in the morning it is just above 100 TDS @100PSI. Tastes a bit funny. TDS creep?.
- After 5-10 min. running it gets to 80 TDS @100PSI. Most of the time i drink this, i find it acceptable.
- After 20-30 min. running it gets to just below 60 TDS @75PSI. I am not sure it can get lower than this. I find this comparable to the 20TDS jugs i can buy in the water store.

I suppose my membrane/filters aren't that good, hence the tds. Perhaps going for more expensive ones would lead to better results.
But what I worry the most is that it takes so long to get down to 60 TDS. Is this normal?
Right now my tank is off, and I use just-in-time produced water. Otherwise the tanks becames mostly 100TDS water.

 

[cpucpu]

Sorry for the title, i seem ubale to edit it. If i could it would be "100-80 TDS @100PSI first 5 min. 60 TDS @75PSI 20+ min."

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

You don't say your location but I am told AZ is among the worst.
Spectrapure is in AZ, I would talk to them.

 

[cpucpu]

Close, Baja.

 

[mcgyvr]

Your RO membrane is past its useful life... it should have a min rejection of 96%.. and should certainly be meeting that with the pressure you have..
Buy a new one..

When did you last change your prefilters also?

 

[cpucpu]

Buy a new one??

I just acquired from amazon the 3 prefilters and the membrane around February 2017...

 

[mcgyvr]

Buy a new one??

I just acquired from amazon the 3 prefilters and the membrane around February 2017...

Your membrane is done (well I doubt it now that we have more information)...based on the numbers you have posted and the information posted... But there is some inconsistency there..

Why did you state Sept 2016? Then Feb 2017?
Why 50GPD membrane in one post? then a link to a 75GPD membrane in another?
Membrane you linked to states a min 96% rejection... You are showing less... so either you messed up putting/sealing the membrane in the cartridge or its done some how..
Your stated output TDS numbers between these 2 posts are all over the place..

Did you ever take up Buckeye on their offer to walk you through it over the phone? You should have as RO/DI is their business and they offered to help... DO IT.... Its much easier for them to just walk you through it over the phone... DO IT...

I wouldn't be happy putting anything into my tank with a TDS over 5...

 

[cpucpu]

I'll be glad to clarify. In that thread of Sep. 2016 I was troubleshooting a 400+ TDS produced by my first amazon 50GDP membrane.

I changed the prefilters around december 2016.

The RO membrane turned out to be defective, someone recomended a 75GPD, so in february 2017 i got one. My RO membrane has a manual ball valve that sort or makes for the flow restirctor, so i just adjust it to meet the 4/1 waste ratio. It works way better, I mean i can get up to 60 TDS...

I'm not in the states, but in baja, hence i have hesitated in calling a vendor since if at some point becomes necessary to purchase something from them i wouldn't be able to do so.

I am starting to belive that water here is so bad, that you really need a higher tier of consumable goods. Or what else could be wrong with my equipment?

 

[cpucpu]

I meant "My RO system has a manual ball valve". Someone enable post editing please...

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

60 TDS is a fraction of AZ water.

 

[ericarenee]

Be Very Careful buying Membranes on Amazon and Ebay...as well as pre filters.. Make sure you are getting DOW or equal quality brands NOT Knock offs or Counter fit membrane or they will become spent much to soon.. This happened to my last year from Amazon. shipped from Amazon.. There was a Counter fit DOW Corning Label over some no name label . when put next to the dow membrane you could tell right away the color and weight of the product was off..

I Agree with mcgyvr .. Take the help of a pro. If you have legit membranes and pre filters you may not have the Correct filters for the contaminates in your specific water . they can help you get the right setup for your water conditions

 

[cpucpu]

Are those min. reject ratios truthful? If my membrane is 96% min. rated. Should I be getting 22 TDS at most, in no time?

My first membrane from amazon was RMA'ed because it was giving me 400TDS. This one may be bad as well...