RO/DI Unit Wasting So Much Water! Normal?

[Fishnthecorner]

I bought a BRS RO/DI Unit about a month ago, and not only does it waste about 200-300 gallons per day, it only makes about 35 gpd. PSI is at 38
I have it hooked directly to a water hose spigot... Am I doing something wrong?

***?

 

[sirreal63]

38 psi is a little low, you should expect to lose more to waste with that low of pressure. A booster pump is in order here to get the pressure up and reduce the waste.

 

[myram]

Should be around a 4:1 ratio of waste water to good water.

Cold water temp and low pressure will increase the ratio.

I have the same system, and my pressure varies between 40-60 and currently my water is pretty cold..........but I'm still around 4:1 to 5:1.

Steve

 

[Fishnthecorner]

Where can I get a booster pump? And whats the cost?

 

[sirreal63]

Bulkreefsupply might be a good place, they have them.

Whole kit...
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...ccessories/aquatec-8800-booster-pump-kit.html

Pump only
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...di-accessories/aquatec-8800-booster-pump.html

 

[Cosmo^Kramer]

I save some of my waste water for house plants.In the summer,I drain the waste into 5 gal. buckets to water the garden.I don't do it all the time though,lugging buckets gets old...fast

 

[captnslapy]

I have that same system and I run cold water, as you should. My pressure is at 43. They recommend 50. But I still get a little better than 4:1. I save about 90% of my water for my fw tanks and my washing machine.

 

[codeblue48]

When I first set up my RODI unit I was getting around 40psi but was still able to get the good 4:1 ratio. I just set up an aqueon 8800 pump to it today and while I still get about a 4:1 ratio I am making water much more quickly. It's supposed to be better for the life of the RO membrane as well. Oh and I forgot to mention that my psi is now set at 78psi with the pump.

 

[Fishnthecorner]

Just to be clear... When you guys say "4:1", You mean 4 parts waste : 1 part RO/DI Correct?

Capnslappy: How do you save and use the waste for your washing machine?

 

[sig_1959]

first you should check if your unit has flow restricter, before buying pump.

I had 1:10 ratio with low water pressure. After getting flow restrictor ($3-5), I have now 1:2.
Make sure you will get properly sized restrictor based on your membrane size

http://www.aquariumsupplies.ca/adva...hm4&osCsid=4ou2c9ir68jndjjb2j3vni6hm4&x=0&y=0

 

[Fishnthecorner]

first you should check if your unit has flow restricter, before buying pump.

I had 1:10 ratio with low water pressure. After getting flow restrictor ($3-5), I have now 1:2.
Make sure you will get properly sized restrictor based on your membrane size

http://www.aquariumsupplies.ca/adva...hm4&osCsid=4ou2c9ir68jndjjb2j3vni6hm4&x=0&y=0

How Can I Check That?

 

[sirreal63]

You bought this unit new from BRS a month ago? I hope you realize they have excellent customer service and a simple phone call to them will give you all the help and answers you need about their RO/DI unit. While everyone here will do their best to help you, this is a new unit and the place you got it is better able to help you with figuring out how best to use it.

It will have a flow restricter, BRS would not ship you a unit that did not. With a PSI of 38 you will not get the performance you expect and need, call BRS and let them get you hooked up with a booster pump.

 

[Fishnthecorner]

ok. I just called BRS, and it does have a flow restricter. And BRS Has the pump in stock, but not the AC Adapter... Does anyone know if I can just use an AC adapter from radio shack or something?

 

[sirreal63]

Yes, but you will need to match the pump's requirements, they should be able to tell you what adapter to get or take it to Radio Shack and let them help.

 

[Plato]

I bought a BRS RO/DI Unit about a month ago, and not only does it waste about 200-300 gallons per day, it only makes about 35 gpd. PSI is at 38
I have it hooked directly to a water hose spigot... Am I doing something wrong?

***?

Aquatech booster pump 8800 go for 60-80 psi. At 77 F you will get rated capacity. If your water is say 50 F expect half the rated capacity.

 

[solitude127]

Just a quick question..... Does your unit have a flush valve and if so, is it open?

 

[Plato]

Expected GPD = Rated GPD × PCF × TCF. PCF is the pressure correction factor. TCF is the temperature correction factor. On a 75 gpd membrane with a PCF = Line Pressure (in psi) ÷ 60 of .63 (38/60) and a TCF (60.8 F = 0.754) So 75 x .63 x .754 = 35.6265 GPD. The math does not lie. I assume your on well water with a 38 psi rating and well water in winter months in my area are around 52 so you will need a booster pump to help. And yes you will have more waste water due the increased viscosity of water at a colder temp. Double check you 4:1 ratio for winter and summer application. My 300 gpd unit only puts out 225 gpd on city water in winter months 60 F water but I get 450 during summer time. Water is like 75 F and my pressure is 100 psi (booster pump).

 

[Fishnthecorner]

Just a quick question..... Does your unit have a flush valve and if so, is it open?

ummm. Flush valve??? Where?

 

[solitude127]

ummm. Flush valve??? Where?

If you have one, it should be on the water water line after the membrane. Do you know if 38psi is normal output?

 

[solitude127]

it should look something like this
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/membrane-flush-kit.html