RO buddie: super slow water flow

[EthanHawaii]

Hi, I need to make 70 Gallons of water to set up my tank but my RO buddie water flow has been slowing down in the last few months to were when I turn it on it will drip, and after an hour it will completely stop! The weird thing is when I tested each cartridge they all worked fine.

Whats wrong with my RO buddie?

Thanks
Ethan

 

[tkeracer619]

Hmm, are there any check valves?

 

[EthanHawaii]

Hmm, are there any check valves?

There aren't any check valves on the unit.

 

[tkeracer619]

Sounds like a bad membrane.

 

[Ou8me2]

It could be due to cold temps. I noticed mine stopped flowing as fast and it's cause the water is colder coming in the RO/DI than the warmer months. A common problem for people who live in colder climates. It might be a bad membrane but I'm no expert. I noticed my production slowed down a lot when it got colder outside. Membranes are rated for certain temps, so if the water is colder, it becomes less efficient I guess you could say. Also knowing you PSI pressure is important also.

 

[ericarenee]

Sounds like time to change out the membrane . . How much waste water do you get.?

 

[EthanHawaii]

It could be due to cold temps. I noticed mine stopped flowing as fast and it's cause the water is colder coming in the RO/DI than the warmer months. A common problem for people who live in colder climates. It might be a bad membrane but I'm no expert. I noticed my production slowed down a lot when it got colder outside. Membranes are rated for certain temps, so if the water is colder, it becomes less efficient I guess you could say. Also knowing you PSI pressure is important also.

Ok, thanks,
the water temperature is 8c or 46f so this may be the problem.

 

[EthanHawaii]

Sounds like time to change out the membrane . . How much waste water do you get.?

I'm getting about a Gallon of good water to 8 gallons waste, but when it completely stops then I only get waste.

I have only had the membrane for a year and a half, although I don't have a flush valve, but then I hear people saying they have never used a flush valve.

And my tap water here is extremely clean, for example it has only 27TDS from the tap so would I still need a flush valve?

Seeing as I really need to get the water made I have removed the DI Resin (which is half used) and this has seemed to help, now I'm getting a good drip, about 2 to 3 drops per second, and the drip never stops, but It still is no were near the almost full stream of water it made a few months ago.

Thanks

 

[LQT]

Sounds like possibly clogged prefilters. When was the last time you changed the sediment and carbon blocks?

 

[EthanHawaii]

Sounds like possibly clogged prefilters. When was the last time you changed the sediment and carbon blocks?

I haven't changed them since I got the unit. But when I tested them individually they worked fine.

 

[LQT]

I haven't changed them since I got the unit. But when I tested them individually they worked fine.

Be careful with your prefilters. I make it a habit to swap out my prefilters every 6 months. As your carbon block exhausts. you'll get chlorine breakthrough and the chlorine will damage your RO membrane. Also what is your water pressure? Low water pressure in concert with low water temperatures this time of year could possibly be the cause of your low output issues.

 

[EthanHawaii]

Be careful with your prefilters. I make it a habit to swap out my prefilters every 6 months. As your carbon block exhausts. you'll get chlorine breakthrough and the chlorine will damage your RO membrane. Also what is your water pressure? Low water pressure in concert with low water temperatures this time of year could possibly be the cause of your low output issues.

Ok, thanks,

I have just ordered new sediment and carbon cartridges, because when I tested the flow right before it enters the membrane the output is a stream of water and not a burst so I'm guessing it's the sediment cartridge that is clogged. And it's time for me to replace the carbon filter as well.