Replace Two 75gpd RO membranes with Two 90gpd RO SpectraSelect Plus membranes

[Euler Kernighan]

Hi Fellow, you might help me out on this one.

The time to replace the cartridges on my RO/DI filter arrives and am wondering if worth it to upgrade the RO membranes, more than that if it is possible to replace two 75 GPD FILMTEC RO MEMBRANE with two SpectraSelect Plus 90-GPD RO Membrane without change the Aquatec auto-flush/flow restrictor.

Current system is a TheFilterGuys Ocean Reef Miser Six Stage RO/DI 150 GPD, I had it customized as:

1st stage: 5 micron poly sediment filter
Aquatec 8800 booster pump
2nd stage: 1 micron poly sediment filter
3rd stage: 5 Micron KX Matrikx Carbon Filter
4th stage: 0.6 Micron Chlorine Guzzler carbon block (Formerly MatriKX +1)

First 75 GPD Dow FilmTec RO membrane, from here:
- product water goes to a Y connect, than to the Aquatec pressure switch, after that to T connection, than to a pressurized storage tank (drink water) or to the DI filters
- waste water goes to the second RO membrane

Second 75 GPD Dow FilmTec RO membrane, from here
- product water make the same path as the first RO membrane
- waste water goes to the Aquatec flow restrictor/autoflush valve

I pulling my hair out to understand:
- can I just replace the 75gpd RO membranes with two 90gpd RO SpectraSelect Plus membranes and keep the system as it is, I mean, waster water from the first membrane into the second membrane?

- can I keep the Aquatec flow restrictor/autoflush valve?


The current flow restrictor is Aquatec Auto Flush Flow Restrictor - 500 mL/min for 75 GPD and 150 GPD Water Saver.

Any comment will be very appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[slief]

You should be able to do just that. You won't gain better flow rates but you will gain better rejection rates and improved longevity from your DI cartridges.

 

[Euler Kernighan]

Hey Steve, thank you for handle this one.

So no changes on the flow restrictor nor the way the RO membranes are connected to each other, right?

Just replace the two 75 dow filmtec with 90 spectratpure and am ready to go.

btw, do you suggest any change on the sediment filters?

Thank you again.

 

[slief]

Hey Steve, thank you for handle this one.

So no changes on the flow restrictor nor the way the RO membranes are connected to each other, right?

Just replace the two 75 dow filmtec with 90 spectratpure and am ready to go.

btw, do you suggest any change on the sediment filters?

Thank you again.

I can't answer the rest of the questions. I've used both standard Spectrapure RO membranes and the SP-0090 99% rejection one and that 99% rejection one is by far the best membrane I've ever run. That said, you might want to give Spectrapure a call. I am sure they would be able to give you some sound advice as far as other upgrades to your system and or changes to maximize your flow rates.

 

[Euler Kernighan]

Thank you Scott.

 

[Euler Kernighan]

Just a short update. Talked with Charles Gibbs from SpectraPure support team and have good news.

1) As Scott said above there is no problem replacing the two 75gpd dow filmtec RO membranes with two 90gpd SpectraSelect Plus RO membranes.

2) I can keep the way the two membranes are connected. I mean, the waste water from the first membrane feeding the second membrane.

3) I can keep using the same Aquatec Auto Flush Flow Restrictor - 500 mL/min for 75 GPD and 150 GPD with no problems.

As a side note, will replace the 5 Micron KX Matrikx Carbon Filter with a 0.2 micron spectrapure zetazorb.

HTH.

 

[slief]

Just a short update. Talked with Charles Gibbs from SpectraPure support team and have good news.

1) As Scott said above there is no problem replacing the two 75gpd dow filmtec RO membranes with two 90gpd SpectraSelect Plus RO membranes.

2) I can keep the way the two membranes are connected. I mean, the waste water from the first membrane feeding the second membrane.

3) I can keep using the same Aquatec Auto Flush Flow Restrictor - 500 mL/min for 75 GPD and 150 GPD with no problems.

As a side note, will replace the 5 Micron KX Matrikx Carbon Filter with a 0.2 micron spectrapure zetazorb.

HTH.

Charles is a good guy. I too use the zeta zorb. Spectrapure makes great cartridges. As an extra safety measure and to improve my cartridge longevity I added a cheap 3 stage ahead of my RODI with a 5 micron prefilter and to Pentek Chlorplus filters. The whole combo cost me $120. Before I added this, my incoming TDS was 435 to RO membrane. Now its 110 as a result of the prefilter with the Chlorplus cartridges. The output from the RO was 4 TDS. Now it's about 1 TDS. Since my water municipality uses chloramines, this extra measure gives me peace of mind and while the Chlorplus filters will likely last a year or more, the RO and DI membranes as well as the zetazorb should all last MUCH longer while insuring that Chloramines will never be a concern.

 

[Euler Kernighan]

Like this configuration with the pre-filter unit + RODI :beer:

Just to be sure I got it right, on the 3 stage filter you have:
- 5 micron prefilter
- 5 micron prefilter
- Pentek Chlorplus - this is a Carbon Block Filter, correct? Pentek Part#255416-43

After that you have the RO/DI unit with:
- zetazorb sediment filter 0.2
- carbon block
- Spectrapure membrane
- DI resin
- silicabuster DI resin

Is that correct?

Btw, is that a cole parmer pump on the pic? Do you use it inline with geo's reactor?

If so do you mind to let me know the pump model and all tubing/parts needed? Am facing hard time to make a BOM list on all parts needed to have it work with a Geo's 612 CaRx. Sorry to bore you with this. Totally understand if you don't have it.

 

[slief]

Like this configuration with the pre-filter unit + RODI :beer:

Just to be sure I got it right, on the 3 stage filter you have:
- 5 micron prefilter
- 5 micron prefilter
- Pentek Chlorplus - this is a Carbon Block Filter, correct? Pentek Part#255416-43

After that you have the RO/DI unit with:
- zetazorb sediment filter 0.2
- carbon block
- Spectrapure membrane
- DI resin
- silicabuster DI resin

Is that correct?

Btw, is that a cole parmer pump on the pic? Do you use it inline with geo's reactor?

If so do you mind to let me know the pump model and all tubing/parts needed? Am facing hard time to make a BOM list on all parts needed to have it work with a Geo's 612 CaRx. Sorry to bore you with this. Totally understand if you don't have it.

The 3 stage filter I have:
- 5 micron prefilter
- Pentek Chlorplus - Pentek Part#255416-43r
- Pentek Chlorplus - Pentek Part#255416-43

After that you have the RO/DI unit with:
- zetazorb sediment filter 0.2
- carbon block
- Spectrapure 99% membrane
- DI MC10-HC resin
- DI-SB10-HC silicabuster DI resin

Keep in mind that I have the Spectrapure 100 GPD UHE 1:1 system that has a booster pump.

As for the calcium reactor question, I use a Masterflex 7523-80 Brushless .10 - 600 RPM pump with a 7518-00 Easy Load Head for my feed pump. I run the LS17 tubing and have that adapted over to 1/4" John Guest type fittings that match up to my Geo 818. I also have a secondary reactor filled with ARM to serve as a buffer.

This applies to the Masterflex unit. Not sure what is on your Geo 616 but the 1/4" John Guest style parts to match the Geo can likely be found at Lowes or Do It Center. That is where I got the parts for my Geo if memory serves me.

To adapt LS17 sized tubing for a Masterflex pump to 1/4" RO type tubing:
Qty 2 barb to FNPT:
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=36204

Qty 2 MNPT to 1/4" JG:
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=42009

Qty 2 Hose Clamps:
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=34082

LS17 Pharmed tubing sold by the foot. I would get several feet so you have extra for down the line. You only need a foot or so though.:
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=25534

 

[Euler Kernighan]

You nailed it! That's a serious calcium reactor configuration.

Thanks for all of your help. Where should I ship a pack of corona, mike's, miller? :beer:

 

[slief]

You nailed it! That's a serious calcium reactor configuration.

Thanks for all of your help. Where should I ship a pack of corona, mike's, miller? :beer:

LOL.. Glad to help!

The CaRx setup works VERY well. It's as set it and forget it as you could ask for. Easy to tune and never needs to be futzed with.

 

[Euler Kernighan]

The power supply for the AP carbondoser is connected to a pH controller? Asking that because I moved from an old milwaukee regulator to bubble magus dosing pump and now back to a calcium reactor. Have already the reactor and on market for a regulator and peristaltic pump.

Two questions on this one, 1) masterflex is feeding the reactor or pulling from it? 2) In case it is pulling out how do you feed the reactor, manifold maybe?

Btw, i've looked on ebay for a Masterflex 7523-80 and it is quite expensive. What do you think about a 7523-40 paired w/ 7518-00 head?

Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cole-Parmer...630169?hash=item33d0c0d3d9:g:3f8AAOSwjRpZQOFB

 

[slief]

The power supply for the AP carbondoser is connected to a pH controller? Asking that because I moved from an old milwaukee regulator to bubble magus dosing pump and now back to a calcium reactor. Have already the reactor and on market for a regulator and peristaltic pump.

Two questions on this one, 1) masterflex is feeding the reactor or pulling from it? 2) In case it is pulling out how do you feed the reactor, manifold maybe?

Btw, i've looked on ebay for a Masterflex 7523-80 and it is quite expensive. What do you think about a 7523-40 paired w/ 7518-00 head?

Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cole-Parmer...630169?hash=item33d0c0d3d9:g:3f8AAOSwjRpZQOFB

The power supply for the Carbon Doser is connected to my Apex. The Apex serves as a fail safe since the combination of the Masterflex's consistent flow rates and the Carbon dosers precise nature allow me to dial in the pH to my desired target without the controller needing to intervene. I still sugggest having the regulators solenoid on a pH controller or some sort whether it's an aquarium controller or a dedicated pH controller.
My masterflex feeds my reactor. Some pull the water through it but either way, the masterflex is the feed pump whether it's pushing or pulling. It creates enough vacuum or pressure to pull or push water around the block.

That 7523-60 is a good pump but I don't think it's brushless so it will be fairly noisy in comparison to the 7523-80 which is brushless. The 7518-00 is a good head. The one I am using is more expensive but its also a much newer model and as noted, it's also brushless and nearly silent. There have been a few of the 7523-80's on eBay that are best offer. This is one for example. If you got it for $900, it would be a bargain. It has the 7518-10 head with the Thermo Scientic OEM label.

 

[Buckeye Hydro]

It will help if you understand that the "90 gpd" membranes are actually re-labeled 75 gpd membranes...

Russ

 

[tkeracer619]

Go with the 99% membranes. Absolutely a great way to go!

Also, 1000 yes's to that CaRx setup