ooops....my TDS a little high

[waverz]

As some of you know i have been plauged with caulera and hair algae, i think i found a source. It would appear as if i slacked on my RO filters. RODI water tested at 27 ppm. Its really time to change the filters!!!!

Gonna have to order some soooon.....

 

[Coralfreak]

If its coming out of your DI that high, I'd remove it. When DI's become exhasuted they will leach back out, you'd probably get better quality water with just the RO.

 

[waverz]

Thanks for the heads up Allen, i was under the assumption that when my DI was spent it would change from orange to white, iys still brown and only a little part of it is actually white. I guess i really need to keep a better eye on those filters, they are nasty!

 

[einsteins]

Some DI media is NOT color changing...

The color changing type I have used are bluish black and change to brownish gold when used up.

I really like the DI media from The Filter Guys...I bought 2 refillable cartridges and now I just order the media and pack the cartridges myself, saves a few bucks and is really easy to do.

GL

ein

 

[Buckeye Hydro]

Are you certain your tds readings are accurate? Did you use a VERY clean glass container to take the sample? Did you let the system run for a few minutes before you took your sample?

 

[waverz]

Yes, im sure they are accurate, im gonna go ahead and order new sediment, carbon, and DI filters and see if that takes car of the problem. My tap water tested at 380ppm and my RO tests at 42ppm so the membrane seems to be doing its job. I do have the RODI hooked up to the icemaker and drinking water, ill bet i managed to use up my DI. Maybe its time to just run RO to those things so im not burnig up my DI so quickly.

 

[Coralfreak]

Did you check your membrane?? Measure your tap water TDS. Then measure the TDS coming out of your RO, before the DI. You should be getting at least a 90% rejection, actually it should be closer to 95%.

Did you let the system run for a few minutes before you took your sample?

This is VERY important when reading right off the RO membrane, the TDS will be really high at first then will settle down. Keep running water and testing until you get a consistent reading.

 

[waverz]

Its been over a year since ive changed any filters, i dint even think about it because the RO unit is mounted in a closet with the washing maching and laundry isnt my forte'.

 

[tibbs2]

I don't believe you have to change most of your filters very often. After two years I've only had to add more resin to my DI. My TDS is usually 1 or 0.

Of course your water quality makes a big difference too. I guess West Des Moines's water quality is better than it's taste belies.

Chris

 

[Buckeye Hydro]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8877423#post8877423 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tibbs2
I don't believe you have to change most of your filters very often. After two years I've only had to add more resin to my DI. My TDS is usually 1 or 0.

Chris

Chris - I understand the "if it aint broke don't fix it" approach, but two concerns you might want to consider:

1. Be careful that in leaving your filters in for an extended period you don't exceed the chlorine capacity of the carbon block. Exposure to chlorine will damage/ruin your membrane.

2. If you leave you prefilters in for an extended period as you describe, you'll want to keep an eye out for biofouling, and be sure to sanitize the system between filter changes.

Russ

 

[Thefilterguys]

You do want to seperate your RO tank for your drink water and icemaker with a check valve if your system is not setup that way. Your TDS in your water tank will have higher TDS due to creep from making small amounts of water. If tank water comes back into your DI it will exhaust more quickly. This drawing should help you set up your system properly.

Jim

http://www.thefilterguys.biz/5_and_6_stage_ro-di_check_valve.htm

 

[bgreenlee]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8892268#post8892268 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Thefilterguys
You do want to seperate your RO tank for your drink water and icemaker with a check valve if your system is not setup that way. Your TDS in your water tank will have higher TDS due to creep from making small amounts of water. If tank water comes back into your DI it will exhaust more quickly. This drawing should help you set up your system properly.

Jim

http://www.thefilterguys.biz/5_and_6_stage_ro-di_check_valve.htm

Not my thread Jim, but thanks for posting this. I was concerned on how to use the one RO/DI system for both my fish room and the kitchen. Looks like I will have a check valve in my next order.