Re: 35psi and on TDS 7ppm

[reeftank2014]

Re: 35psi and on TDS 7ppm

Hi Community Members,

I just started my reef tank a month ago and completely new to hobby. Pics of tank are in my profile. Had a super big learning curve, because added more corals and fish than I could handle. But I survived and tank is doing fine. I was buying premixed water from LFS, while I was doing my homework. Then I started to buy RO/DI water only, and started mixing my own salt.

And then finally after getting tired of carrying water buckets, I bought a 6 or 7 stage RO (5 Stage)/DI(2 stage) from BRS. The water pressure is showing to be 35psi and sometime drops to 33psi. I put lot of money on tank, equipment, and corals, and do not want to unnecessarily buy booster pump unless I have to. I read prior comments - how it will eat out DI raisin faster and will cost more.

Here is my question: The TDS meter installed on DI unit is showing that the output line from RO unit is bringing in 7PPM into DI's 1st chamber.

And the reading on line out from DI 1st chamber is zero
And the final output line is zero

Do I really need a booster pump - just to cure that 7 PPM. What are the pros and cons?
Is there anything else to worry?

Thank you. I am still unsure about regular maintenance chemistry, and will have more questions on maintenance.

 

[gone fishin]

The booster pump will help the efficiency of the RO membrane.

 

[mbemount]

I think in the long run it'd save you money to get a booster pump. 35 PSI is pretty low.

 

[NSimpkins]

I was in the same place as you with about 30 PSI. I know the booster pump is expensive but it was one of the best things I've done. Once I put it on it was a huge difference.

So then I had all this great preasure. So much so upgraded to the 150 GPD kit and making water faster and now with half the waste water win win. TDS going into DI reads at 2 now.

I would highly recommend both.

 

[reeftank2014]

Thank you all.

@ NSmpkins,I have 150GPD model: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-6-stage-universal-water-saver-plus-ro-di-system-150gpd.html It also comes with water saver kit. I am okey with the output speed. But are you saying that adding booster pump will result in less waste water and differential of 5 TDS is a big deal i.e. really prolong life of DI unit? I understand that booster pump is recommended, but also trying to understand cons of not having one.

 

[mcgyvr]

you can also just adjust the water pressure regulator at your house instead of buying a booster pump..
My whole house pressure was set at 35psi.. so I simply found the pressure regulator and adjusted it a bit and now the whole house pressure is 50 PSI.. Showers are much better too

 

[toothybugs]

I live in a 2nd floor apt and was getting just 20-22 psi. Buckets took 3-6 hours to fill a piece (thank goodness my tank is only a 40).

I bought a booster about 2 weeks ago and I think it's the best investment I've made to my tank in a long, long time. Buckets fill in 45 minutes now and I'm using less waste water, actually. The times savings alone was worth it.

 

[whosurcaddie]

What is your tds reading before the water enters your unit. Once you figure that out and you know the rejection rate of your membrane then you can determine whether your unit is filtering the way it should. We need to know if you have 90% or 99% rejection rate membrane.

 

[reeftank2014]

Hey Whosurcaddie, I will find that out. So this is my model: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-6-stage-universal-water-saver-plus-ro-di-system-150gpd.html

What should be my ideal memberane rejection rate? Coming out of RO is 7 to 10. So I was just curious, if bringing down this 7 to 10 on TDS, after adding a $100 booster would make sense? May be I am able to reduce it down to 4-5, instead of 7. Does it matter that much - or in other words would it really prolong life of my DI?

 

[rdrbssr11]

Id definitely get a booster pump with that pressure. Once you see how much faster it makes rodi water you will be glad you bought it. Besides that they are extremely easy to install.