Micron Filter Question

[nl359]

I have a 35 GPD Kent Marine RO/DI unit. The sediment filter has gone from pure white to brown after producing only 180 gal of product water in about a month. According the the manufacturer they recommend changing the filter after 6 months of use. Can you remove the filter and clean it? Or does it need to be replaced? The output water still reads 0 TDS but the amount of flow out the unit is much less than 35 GPD.

 

[Malum Argenteum]

You didn't say what the initial GPD output was, so your low output problem might be due to lower water pressure than the unit requires. If your output has decreased noticeably, though, then you might consider changing the prefilter.

Is your water high in sediment/TDS/iron?

 

[Buckeye Hydro]

The 6-month recommendation is just a rule of thumb. Sounds like the sediment filter is doing what you asked it to do - capture suspended solids.

John made some good points above. Low production is often due to cold temperatures and or low pressure. A clogged prefilter can surely reduce the pressure reaching the membrane. Unfortunately, I think most of those Kent systems come w/o a pressure gauge - so you are going to have a hard time w/o buying a pressure gauge add on kit knowing if 1) you have enough pressure in your home's plumbing to run the system, or 2) if your sediment filter or carbon block is clogged.

The sediment filters are inexpensive, so if in doubt, you should probably just replace it.

Russ