RO Help

[fishntyme1]

Just replaced a membrane and sediment filters and I am getting worse quality than before. Spectrapure membrane 90GPD standard. I was getting 65TDS RO now I am getting 80TDS RO. PSI stayed the same 52PSI. Also only getting approx 75GPD measured. All baffling when I was not getting these same measurements before. Also I have ran filter for about 2 hours now and the only change is TDS went from 150 to 80.

Will a booster pump help this issue with TDS or just increase GPD? Should I go down to a 50-75GPD membrane to avoid adding more equipment? I don't really care about GPD as I have a storage tank. I used to get 10-15TDS RO. With incoming TDS at 600-650. My current incoming TDS is 550.

Conspiracy Theory Alert** Did Spectrapure change quality on their standard $35 membrane in the last 2-3 years? So the ones we used to buy for $35 are now considered the "Select" membranes for an increased price of $55.

 

[TangingOut]

I don't know if this is standard practice, but when I bought my used maxcap 90gpd unit I brought it into their office and Jeremy gave it a once over to see how it was working and to check the membrane and filters.

I was a complete RO newb and had him give me a crash course on the unit. He could've about sold me a bunch of stuff and I wouldn't have known any better, but he said all was well and I just picked up a carbon block and sediment filter.

I think we're lucky to have spectrapure in our backyard and that they provide excellent customer service. I would definitely give them a call or just pop in with your unit.

 

[fishntyme1]

I have talked with them already, and Monday is the day if things don't improve.

 

[azjohnny]

@ 65ppm TDS post membrane and with 550 ppm feed water something is wrong with the membrane, either it is faulty or you installed it incorrectly

52 psi isn't that bad, I don't like to run a RO/DI at less than 60 psi, I run my Maxcap at 100 psi. With increased water pressure the post membrane tds levels will be lower with increased production

I have 725 ppm feed water and 11 ppm post membrane, i get better numbers in the winter when the feed water is cooler

 

[fishntyme1]

I have it installed correctly checked twice, decided to add a booster pump and recheck incoming water. Tap is 480tds today. Running 80-88PSI now, RO is at 30TDS, 3.65:1 ratio, getting 93.5% rejection rate. So might have a faulty membrane. I believe I should be getting 95-96% or better with this membrane. Maybe it will get better with a long run time and the new PSI. I switched out the DI and am getting 0 tds right now.

I still think Spectrapure has pulled a switch-a-roo on us with this "select", I cost more, membrane. I used to get 98% rejection at a 500-550 tap TDS at 80PSI 3-4 years ago with their $35 one. As I remember it, it was the only 90GPD one they offered then.

 

[azjohnny]

can you shorten the flow restrictor any more? ( mine is about 1" long))

with unsoftened wated AZ water your ration should be 4/1. I don't know if the extra .35/1 is making a difference

the select should be no less than 98%, with the standard being 96%

the warmer summer water will decrease the rejection amount a little

 

[TangingOut]

The standard membrane should have a 96% rejection rate, but can see as high as 98% which is about what I get. They say their select plus is 99% and is what I'll be trying next.

 

[fishntyme1]

Well after a 10 hour run yesterday I am now getting 18 TDS RO with a rejection rate of 96.2%. Burned through some DI but results are now ok. Not sure why it took so long for this membrane to get to its ideal state. Total run time about 13 hours.

 

[fishntyme1]

Well maybe the last post was a fluke. I have been testing it regularly and am only getting a 94% rejection rate on both of the membranes I have purchased at the same time.
All previous thoughts about the old $35 membrane that I used to get 98% (a TDS of 10-15 RO) still stands. I think the "NEW" $55 dollar one is the old $35 one. And the new $35 is of lesser quality!!!

Feeling ripped off

 

[Fygar486]

Bump