How often do you have to replace your ro membrane?
- Thread starter ostrow
- Start date
Dean Ladd
New member
Agreed to realize the effective life of a RO Filter or any other filtration of the RO system you need a TDS meter. I am on well water my source TDS is 500. Out put with DI resin is 0. If my output reaches double digit TDS I will start seeing nuisance algae in the my DT. My RO filter has run for over 12 months. Everyones mileage may differ. Depends on how much RO water you use a day, week or year.
FNGsaltwater
New member
I had to change mine every 6. Well, until I started draining it. My husband is certified in water treatment and he told me that it's because you make it too clean and it can't fight making a sludge in a nice dark pace of your membrane. My filters always looked fine but it slowed tremendously.
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ostrow
It's Dr. Goodluck Himself
Huh?
Let's be clear: this is NOT about DI (prior comments). And yes I have a dual inline tds. That's how I know membrane exhausted. 20+ tds out of membrane after 6mos.
I don't understand "draining it".
I have my ro on a solenoid to refill my top off reservoir every other day. There's no way to automate a flush. I flush it most days when I go in the fish room. But not before every use because I don't manually run my water...
galoot
Member
What do you think is the "magic number" on the TDS meter to replace the RO membrane?
Just changed all my filters and DI resin. My tap water is reading 30ppm, RO water is currently reading no lower than 10ppm. I believe it used to by 1-2ppm when new.
I guess I'm answering my own question huh =) Prob time to change.
Just changed all my filters and DI resin. My tap water is reading 30ppm, RO water is currently reading no lower than 10ppm. I believe it used to by 1-2ppm when new.
I guess I'm answering my own question huh =) Prob time to change.
Last edited:
FishTruck
Premium Member
This is critical.
Until I really understood my RO/DI system, I could never keep SPS. I live in Chicago. The water is very low TDS, but, something in it kills SPS but not LPS, fish, mammals, or inverts. Here is what you need to do:
1. Make sure your pre filter is changed every 6 months.
2. Run TWO stages of carbon before your RO, and change them every 6 months with your pre-filter.
3. Make sure your waste / product ratio is between 1:5 and 1:7. Down to 1:4 if you live in a Desert state.
4. Consider a pressure booster at the source.
5. Run an inline TDS monitor. My product is ZERO TDS. When it gets to 2 or 3 - go back to step 1.
5. Do not run your RO DI system directly to you Auto Top Off. The constant on off cycles screw up reverse osmosis membranes. I have a RO DI reservoir that I use both for top off and making new saltwater. It fills on a 12 hour timer into a 60 gallon vat, which reduces the on/off stress from the ATO.
Until I really understood my RO/DI system, I could never keep SPS. I live in Chicago. The water is very low TDS, but, something in it kills SPS but not LPS, fish, mammals, or inverts. Here is what you need to do:
1. Make sure your pre filter is changed every 6 months.
2. Run TWO stages of carbon before your RO, and change them every 6 months with your pre-filter.
3. Make sure your waste / product ratio is between 1:5 and 1:7. Down to 1:4 if you live in a Desert state.
4. Consider a pressure booster at the source.
5. Run an inline TDS monitor. My product is ZERO TDS. When it gets to 2 or 3 - go back to step 1.
5. Do not run your RO DI system directly to you Auto Top Off. The constant on off cycles screw up reverse osmosis membranes. I have a RO DI reservoir that I use both for top off and making new saltwater. It fills on a 12 hour timer into a 60 gallon vat, which reduces the on/off stress from the ATO.
FishTruck
Premium Member
True that... through trial and error, I can get away with 6 months. My RO membranes are going for 24 months now. Maybe... a new source of RO membranes??
I think you have more responses if you post this in the filtration section!
3-6 months on a RO membrane seem abnormal. Typical membrane exhausted between 3-4 years. I normally replaced @ 3 years but had one that went way beyond because I got lazy (I made an average of 100-150G per/month).
Also, you mention that you have your RODI on a solenoid to refill your top-off everyday. I recalled reading somewhere that running your RODI daily in smaller volume also exhaust the membrane quicker vs running less often and making a large batch of water.
Oh! Check your waste line to see if any obstruction/blockage. Last year I had to replaced my membranes because my waste line was frozen (ran it to the outside during the winter month! duh!!).
3-6 months on a RO membrane seem abnormal. Typical membrane exhausted between 3-4 years. I normally replaced @ 3 years but had one that went way beyond because I got lazy (I made an average of 100-150G per/month).
Also, you mention that you have your RODI on a solenoid to refill your top-off everyday. I recalled reading somewhere that running your RODI daily in smaller volume also exhaust the membrane quicker vs running less often and making a large batch of water.
Oh! Check your waste line to see if any obstruction/blockage. Last year I had to replaced my membranes because my waste line was frozen (ran it to the outside during the winter month! duh!!).
ostrow
It's Dr. Goodluck Himself
I thought that after the first one went. But hard to believe that was an issue three times in a row now. I even tried a different housing.
Man! don't know what else for you to try.
I see that you have been reefing for quite awhile. I assumed you use RODI system before and have no issue with the membrane or it's been like that from the beginning?
If you have been in the same place and have no issue before, maybe something is in the city water or they added something into the water facility that might cause the membrane to exhaust quickly. Maybe a shout-out to local reefers in your area to see if anyone else have similar issue. Good luck
I see that you have been reefing for quite awhile. I assumed you use RODI system before and have no issue with the membrane or it's been like that from the beginning?
If you have been in the same place and have no issue before, maybe something is in the city water or they added something into the water facility that might cause the membrane to exhaust quickly. Maybe a shout-out to local reefers in your area to see if anyone else have similar issue. Good luck
