RODI tds

Smite

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#1
Hey all,

I'm lost on my RODI setup and could use some help. I noticed I was going through DI resin quickly and saw I had silicates in my ATO and DI water container from an ICP test. I realized my tds had creeped up to 20 +- tds going into my DI stages so I replaced my carbon blocks and membrane. After swapping I'm getting 24 TDS after the membrane going into DI, so essentially the same reading....

Here is my Setup layout:

Prefilter 1 micron
Chloramine Monster (BRS) I did not replace this its about 2 years old but I dont have the funds right now
.5 Micron Carbon Block (MD)
.5 Micron Chloramine Block
RO Buddy Booster pump (A little high at 100 psi) going to membrane
2 Stage DI - Bulk Reef DI followed by SpectraPure Silicabuster Cartridge

Going into my Pre filter I have 345 TDS. It reads 375 TDS after the carbon/chloramine stages headed to 75GPD RO Membrane (Marine Depot forgot manufacturer). This has always done this and I can't figure it out. I figure I should be seeing 4-8TDS with the 98-99% membrane rating headed to my DI stages but instead I'm getting 24 tds. When my RODI was last working well once it settled the TDS would be about 8 heading to my DI Stage

When I swapped filters I bypassed the membrane and flushed the blocks for 30 minutes. I then hooked the RODI membrane up and made 50g before adding my DI stages. I made another 50gs, so I'm 100 in on the membrane and it only dropped down to 24 GPD.

What could I be over looking here? Will 100 PSI smoke a membrane? I'm going to move my sensors around to eliminate a bad sensor as that just occurred to me. I tore open the top of the plastic RO membrane bag and installed it without touching it, pushed in hard to make sure it seated.

I see no leaks. I've turned the membrane in all different directions to release any trapped air incase that was throwing it off. I'm at a loss!

I'll report back after verifying the TDS but any insight is greatly appreciated.

Thanks
 

Smite

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#3
Not on my end. The TDS actually is lower going into the unit then when I first moved here.
 

CHASDB

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#5
I remember watching a BRS video, the TDS sensors have to be installed so water flow needs to travel thru the 2 probes like a football goal post. If they are inline it will effect the reading.
 

Smite

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#6
I remember watching a BRS video, the TDS sensors have to be installed so water flow needs to travel thru the 2 probes like a football goal post. If they are inline it will effect the reading.
I'll have to double check that, I didnt even think about sensor orientation!
buy some catalytic carbon and an empty di container. That should help significantly. If you need some bad I could spare some.
So this replaces a di stage?
 
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#8
I do recall a brs video a few years back when they tested different psi and they said anything above 90psi can reduce effectiveness and burn up resin faster. They sell an in line adjustable flow restrictor you can run with your booster pump. I’ve been out of the game for a few years so take my advice with a grain of salt.
 

Smite

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#10
I do recall a brs video a few years back when they tested different psi and they said anything above 90psi can reduce effectiveness and burn up resin faster. They sell an in line adjustable flow restrictor you can run with your booster pump. I’ve been out of the game for a few years so take my advice with a grain of salt.
I’ll check it out, I’ve been restricting the feed line but that’s probably a better option. If I don’t restrict it my meter just maxes out. I should probably just pull the booster altogether.

who’s that avatar Mr E.T.? :)
 

djrice69

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#12
The booster has a 400 ml flow restricter you can bypass the waste with have it flow more less restricted to lower the psi to 80 psi max Anything higher just makes the seal go bad
 

Smite

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#13
The booster has a 400 ml flow restricter you can bypass the waste with have it flow more less restricted to lower the psi to 80 psi max Anything higher just makes the seal go bad
Good to know. Are you referring to the seat on the membrane? I'm guessing once that's shot I just gotta get another.
Will the unit just produce more waste water if the flow is not restricted?
 

djrice69

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Good to know. Are you referring to the seat on the membrane? I'm guessing once that's shot I just gotta get another.
Will the unit just produce more waste water if the flow is not restricted?
Yes more waste water but that would help with the flushing out the membrane from being clogged. I heard some people soak their membrane with citric acid to remove the hard calcium on the surface of the membrane
 
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#15
Any changes in water supply/source? Any water softener device has been added to your waters source?
sorry, very late to this thread. but i was wondering about this quote? how does the water softner affect the silicates? because ive starting having diatoms in my 5year old tank. we had a whole house pelican water filter installed that has a no salt water softner on it. thanks.
 

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