AquaFx Barracuda Ro/DI

[OrthoVet05]

Hey guys! I recently replaced the filters in this AquaFx Barracuda system I picked up on LetGo. I ran it last night for the first time and got a measured TDS of 3 ppm. Just out of curiosity, is this the best I will get? My regular tap water measures around 330 ppm so I feel like the filter is doing its job.

 

[pecan2phat]

What's your water pressure like? (based on the picture of the pressure gauge, it looks low) You will get better production with a RO booster pump if your normal PSI is low.

 

[OrthoVet05]

What's your water pressure like? (based on the picture of the pressure gauge, it looks low) You will get better production with a RO booster pump if your normal PSI is low.

It is running a bit low, around 15 PSI (rated for a minimum of 40 PSI).

 

[pecan2phat]

Definitely will affect your overall water production & water quality.
You should look into an RO booster pump. Even that might not get you to optimal pressure because your incoming is so low, but it’ll get you to an acceptable range.
FWIW, my pressure running through the restrictor is close to 90 psi.

 

[OrthoVet05]

I did have a pretty large leak in the water hose. It probably had minimal effects though overall.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Did you also replace the DI resin? DI should bring you down to zero. If not, you need to replace DI as well.

 

[OrthoVet05]

Yeah, I replaced everything.

 

[Bob agren]

Looks like your di is changing color Already? I get 2 or 3 out of the membrane then after it goes through the di filter it's 0? Your color change in your di indicates to me that it's doing all the work so your membrane must not be installed correctly or you have the wrong restrictor if any installed.

 

[Bob agren]

Make sure your membrane is pushed in all the way and properly Seated! Also looking more carefully you are missing the auto pressure shutoff that protects your membrane when not in use.

 

[pecan2phat]

Auto shutoff are not standard in the Aqua fx since not every application is the same.

 

[pecan2phat]

But its A good idea to compare your source water’s TDS and the output after the RO membrane to see if your membrane is shot or not.

 

[OrthoVet05]

Hm... the DI looks the same color as it did when It came in through the mail yesterday.

 

[pecan2phat]

Best advice is to just disconnect the RO line going into the last canister so that you can measure the TDS coming from the membrane.
If it’s in the 10~13 range then everything is working based on your source water of 330 TDS. (96~97% rejection rate)
If everything adds up, you might need to add on an additional DI chamber to get it down to zero.

 

[OrthoVet05]

I'll double check to make sure that the membrane is seated in properly. I mean all in all, what does it matter if my ending TDS is 0-3 ppm and my intro pressure is a little lower? If anything, I am filtering well and producing very little waste water. Will it really make that much of a difference? Probably not. . . I'll let you guys know if I find something funky tomorrow.

 

[OrthoVet05]

So coming out of my membrane, TDS measured 136.... ugh

 

[pecan2phat]

Sounds like the membrane is toast.
When you replace it, might as well install a flush valve also. From your pic, I don’t notice one.

 

[OrthoVet05]

I dunno. I doubt it is Pecan since I just bought it.

 

[jsker]

The recommend pressure is 60 psi to 90. I run 58 to 60 and I am going to add a booster for better pressure. I also added two active carbon filters and my TDS went to 0 to 1.

 

[pecan2phat]

Ah, so your saying all the filters including the membrane was changed by you since getting the unit.
Then maybe take the membrane out and reseat it and see if there is any difference.
Currently based on your source water, there’s no way a new membrane is operating at 40% efficiency.

 

[pecan2phat]

Also, the 15 psi is definitely a problem in itself.