RO/DI Help Please?

[ryancmatchett]

Trying to figure out the TDS for our RO/DI...and getting some odd numbers

I have a 5 stage BRS RO/DI. About a month ago, I noticed the TDS meter started showing 4 TDS coming out of the RO filter, where it used to show 40-50, and 0 after the DI, when it used to show 0-3 or so....usually when the DI was getting used up.

So I changed out the sediment filter, the RO membrane, the DI and changed the batteries in the TDS meter....And now all of a sudden the TDS meter is showing 600. I let the RO run for about 4 hours, without the DI to waste and let the RO get wet, and the TDS has not come down at all.

Are there any recommendations as far as:
1. Why would the TDS be over 600 with a new RO membrane?
2. Do I need to run water through the RO membrane for longer before it will come down?
3. I ordered the 2 Carbon filters, since I used up my last ones about 6 months ago. Will those help bring the TDS down?
4. I had the LFS test the water, and their handheld TDS showed 590...Is it possible that the water is bypassing the RO Membrane, and I just can't tell?


Any suggestions would be appreciated, as this is the first time since hooking up the system last July, that we have changed out the RO membrane.

Thanks for the help!

 

[ryancmatchett]

Any ideas?

Thanks for the help

 

[ReeferChick85]

I can't really give you an answer to what you're going through but I would change the carbon filters when u get the replacement ones u ordered. Did you make sure the connection fittings going in and out is properly inserted?

 

[ryancmatchett]

Hi Thanks. I did change out the carbon filters I just got the other day. And I also calibrated the TDS meter, which works just fine. I also spoke to BRS and the my local LFS owner, and both said to check the age and size of the RO membrane that I just put in....turns out that the RO membrane appears to be made for a 100+gpd system, and we have a 75gpd system, so that would most probably be the reason for the high TDS....I have a new RO membrane coming soon. We will have to see what happens....Thanks

 

[james-lee]

Did you flush the filter first? I had this happen to me and it slowly came down. Either that or a bad filter, bad oring, not seated properly in housing. Try popping it off and using a water based lube around the o-ring to ensure no leakes.

 

[Reefer08]

How old is the RO membrane? I recommend replacing them every 2 years, they do last however for 3 years.

Don't trust the handheld TDS meters because the sample water is usually contaminated from the container. A little dust or anything really raises TDS quick. Trust your inline TDS filter instead.

I'm curious how you calibrated your inline tds meter, can you explain how you did that?

 

[ryancmatchett]

How old is the RO membrane? I recommend replacing them every 2 years, they do last however for 3 years.

Don't trust the handheld TDS meters because the sample water is usually contaminated from the container. A little dust or anything really raises TDS quick. Trust your inline TDS filter instead.

I'm curious how you calibrated your inline tds meter, can you explain how you did that?

In regards to the calibration, we purchased the TDS meter calibration fluid from Bulk Reef Supply, and followed the directions on the bottle....

Also, just a quick update: Turns out that when we replaced the RO membrane, it broke the canister, and so it was not filtering anything...cool, huh? Learned something new....and ordered a replacement canister. It should arrive today, so we should have perfect water by the end of the weekend.