Why is it so difficult to open up the canisters of RODI filter ?

[Tomoko Schum]

Hi y'all,

I just changed my sediment filter and carbon filters this morning. It's such a pain in the neck to get it done. I always have to struggle with those canisters. Even with Reilly's help, it's a b**ch to open :furious:.

8Ball gave me some food grade silicone grease kindly to apply on the thread a while ago, but it's still very hard.


What do you all do to make it easier? Any good idea out there?


When I finally got it open, I was shock to see a totally red sediment filter :eek2:. It was changed only three months ago. I know that we have a lot of construction going on around us in Madison, but it was extremely bad this time. When I change my sediment filter (every three months), it is usually just faintly tinted with reddish something. This time the sediment filter was totally brownish red and the water in the canister was really muddy looking. The sediment filter actually was doing the job well since my carbon filter canisters looked clean and the TDS value of the outflow was only 9, which was brought down to zero by my RO resin (I change them every 2 months.)

 

[Sk8r]

THere's a tool specifically made for this general application: a 'strap wrench'. This device is used to remove oil filters in cars, etc, and to rotate just about anything larger than a convenient grip---I've even used one on a stubborn pickle jar lid. Just ask for it at the hardware store and they should know exactly what to sell you. It's a kind of a y-shaped stick (plastic is ok) with a rubber strap attached: strap goes around the object you want to rotate, in this case the filter cylinder, and the other end of the strap goes into a notch on the wrench. Turns the job into a piece of cake.

THere is also a specifically-shaped wrench that your lfs may have: its a handled ring that fits the filter cylinder, and is also very easy to use.

 

[Tomoko Schum]

I use the white plastic wrench that came with the RODI filter. Is it different from the one you mentioned? It has no rubber strap on it, but it is a handled ring with four protrusions.

Even with this wrench, it is very hard to turn the cylinders.

 

[NicoleC]

I had a special wrench -- it wasn't a strap wrench, which I found utterly useless for my ribbed canisters -- but a gizmo specifically for my canisters with 4 large teeth to grab the ribs. Last time I used it, the canister cover ribs bent and eventually disintegrated instead of the canister opening. The wrench didn't look so good either.

So I changed types of RO units. I'm not sure what you call it, but the tubes are smaller and a standard pipe wrench works. I've also seen the Q-series RO filters, which are about as tough as changing the filter in your fridge. (Which is to say not at all.)

 

[LovenBama]

I just changed mine also and it was a pain in the rear....and the plastic wrench (as the refer to it) that came with it was of no use cause it would bend and slip over the ribs on the canister...hubby had to use some real muscle to get them opened ..at first I was thinking it was because of the pressure inside the unit when I tried to remove the sediment canister then realize that wasn't the case after completely removing the system from it's mounting and bring it into the kitchen where I removed the sediment canister from the main unit by means of the water lines and let all the pressure and most of the water out of the unit ..and it was still very hard to open

You should get you a clear canister Tomoko...you'll be shoked as to how fast it will begin to turn orange ..I know I was and I'm thinking that with all the rain we've had this summer has contributed to all the mud in the water systems...I could be wrong but that's my guess

 

[Tomoko Schum]

It sounds like the work is not meant for us ladies. We need to get the manufacturers to redesign the canisters so that weaklings like us can use these filters without a problem .

Using clear canisters is a good idea. I have a clear one for RO resins since I use color changing resins. It might make me freak out more to have one for a sediment filter, though. If I start changing it every time it turns a bit orange, Reilly will not be as willing to lend his muscle to me....

 

[Mariner]

What do you all do to make it easier? Any good idea out there?

I work out. You ladies just need to get in better shape.
I'd suggest curls, bench presses and rows to start with.
HTH,
Mariner

 

[JR's Reef]

It sounds like the O-ring is to thick/big and thats whats making yours real hard. My 9yr old changes mine out for me and has alittle bit of a problem but can do it on his own. Thats how he makes money or cons me out of money for doing stuff for me.$

 

[Tomoko Schum]

Well, whatever the problem may be, it takes Reilly to hand tighen it very tightly to prevent the canister from leaking. The canister leaks like a sieve even when I tighten it as tightly as I can :furious:. When we try to unscrew the canister, it requires the use of the unwieldy plastic handle.

 

[JR's Reef]

Yeah sounds like the o-rings are going bad then. Mine is just a little bit more than hand tight but the o-ring swells so it ends up being a bit tighter in he end

 

[Tomoko Schum]

It's always been that way from the beginning. I suppose that some units are made differently. I wonder if there is any better lubricant that I can put on the o-rings.

 

[8BALL_99]

Sorry your still having trouble with yours. The silicone grease helps, But even mine the other day was very hard to open.. I broke one of my wrenches. I think this was my fault though. I'm pretty sure just screwed that one to tight last time.. You could need a larger O ring on yours if you have to crank them down that tight to keep them from leaking.. Mine with the grease on them just takes a little snug for them to be water tight.
I'd second the clear filter housing.. Our first unit thats in our kitchen now has white canisters.. Our second unit that sits in the fish room has clear housings.. What I did was take one from the second unit and swap it out with the old unit.. So not atleast the first prefilter is easy to see. This is how I even tell when to change my filters since I don't really keep up with my exact usage.. But a simple glance and the prefilter gives me an idea of when they need changed.. FWIW mine turned very red/brown very quick this past time.. Not sure what the deal is but I changed my filters about 2 weeks ago and probably with in a week the prefilter was already very dark..

 

[Tomoko Schum]

Wow, you had a hard time opening the canister, too?
No wonder I cannot open it . I was beginning to feel sick just thinking about Mariner's big idea of getting us girls to work out.

You could need a larger O ring on yours if you have to crank them down that tight to keep them from leaking

Hmm, that makes sense. I will try to get some O-rings then. Thank you. Do you get yours from a place like Lowes or do you get them from the RODI vendors?

I rely on the dual TDS meter actually to check on the condition of my prefilters. It's less scary.... LovenBama might be right on the rain causing extra mud in our water. We sure had a lot of rain. I hear we are fixing to get some more this week.

 

[8BALL_99]

Haha for some reason plastic threads can seize up something fierce. You girls don't need to get to strong it makes us feel bad if we aren't needed to open a jar here and there

You could probably get a new Oring at lowes. I'd probably check there before you placed an order just for 3 orings.. The sell Ro filters so they should sell replacement orings.

 

[Tomoko Schum]

Thanks, 8Ball. I feel much better now

 

[Buckeye Hydro]

Use a housing wrench to get them open. You should tighten then by hand.

The food-grade silicone grease should go on the oring, not the threads.

Russ

 

[Tomoko Schum]

Thank you, Russ. That's exactly what I do.