RODI filter exhausted....already?

[WVfishguy]

Is a TDS of 5 really something to be concerned about? Incidentally, the water from my rain barrels stays around 3 - 5 ppm, and a pH of 7.0. I'm using a pH reagent test kit and TDS meter. I've tested the pH several ties, as I have no idea how it stays neutral and not acidic. But I guess if there are few dissolved solids, the pH should be neutral.

 

[Wandering]

I'm going to contact the water company today after last nights head scratcher.
Last night I received a fresh batch of media for my RODI unit. I had a new membrane on hand. So I replaced all. Once doing so, I let the water run to waste for a good while (or so I thought). Once I turned it off, I continued to fill the water bins and check the TDS meters. The middle meter read 6, and the outgoing meter read 3. So now, with new media, why on earth would my readings not be ZERO?

As I mentioned I will call the water company today. Last time I changed media, my readings were at 0. Obviously for a short time, but still.

Bad meter then, no? I wouldn't worry. I let my TDS climb to 10 before changing resin xD

 

[hkgar]

Is a TDS of 5 really something to be concerned about? Incidentally, the water from my rain barrels stays around 3 - 5 ppm, and a pH of 7.0. I'm using a pH reagent test kit and TDS meter. I've tested the pH several ties, as I have no idea how it stays neutral and not acidic. But I guess if there are few dissolved solids, the pH should be neutral.

Yes, given the theory that you do not know what that number represents. It could be nothing harmful or it could be things that are very harmful. That is why I change resin as soon as it hits 1. That 1 could be arsenic or copper, we just do not know.

 

[CTaylor]

I concur with the Chlorine levels. TOtal chlorine (including chloramine). I think more people have an issue with it than they realize. I going through them quickly also, and my tank was dying as well due to chlorine break through after very short time (off subject). You might want to get a super low range total chlorine test like Hanna in parts per billion. Check weekly water leaving the Carbon. I think if it's breaking 30 parts per million (even that might be too high??) too fast, then consider better chlorine/chloramine removal like a Chloramine monster followed by 1-2 pentek chloroplus carts (you need a chloroplus cart after the monster if you do that). My issues were solved after that.

 

[reef tank 2.0]

Wow! Those Chloramine Monsters have a nice price tag on them! phew

 

[CTaylor]

They do. At least for start up. I get my replacement carts now at filtersfast.com . they are 'only' I think $99 each. And they have pentek chloroplus carts also I think for $11 each. And this might not be your solution of course. So I'd test your water weekly to see any pink at all or with a digital that is super easy to read. Might as well get the super low partper Billion of you do. Also the monster will have breakthrough itself. It has a much greater overall capacity. I mention that because although it will take out 90+% and it might hit closer to 100% over time of 'breaking in'. I put my cart in Feb this year and it's still breeaking in. It was at 90%, and now it's at like 95% removal. But still has too much coming out, therefor the 'clean up' pentek carts. After that I have about 99.7% removal! lol. I'd expect these carts to last two years. I'd expect to change out the pentek though maybe once a year, maybe 18 mo?? You might be replacing yoru cart(s) now every 3 months? before this I had to replace every month and it was still too much breaking through a double regular sized cart system. My DI's are lasting a lot longer, and my RO has no change in TDS after 2 years. It seems to do better over time at least for now. Again, just test first to see if this is your issue.

 

[reef tank 2.0]

not sure if this matters at this point, but here is the information I received from the water utilities:

GCWW uses chlorine in the treatment process plants. We do not use Chloramine