changed RODI Filters TDS raised some?

Schulks · Apr 11, 2023

I changed all my filters except my RO membrane and the TDS before DI raised to 6 from 3. It is still 0 coming out of the DI chambers. I am just curious to understand this more if I can.
I am making water about twice as fast now so it definitely needed it.
I was using the more expensive BRS Carbon blocks before and am now using the slightly cheaper Matrix ones, could that be it?
or my new sediment filter is 5 micron maybe my previous one was 1? I don't recall.

Reefer Matt · Apr 11, 2023

Schulks said:
I changed all my filters except my RO membrane and the TDS before DI raised to 6 from 3. It is still 0 coming out of the DI chambers. I am just curious to understand this more if I can.
I am making water about twice as fast now so it definitely needed it.
I was using the more expensive BRS Carbon blocks before and am now using the slightly cheaper Matrix ones, could that be it?
or my new sediment filter is 5 micron maybe my previous one was 1? I don't recall.

Did you flush out the lines before the ro chamber? I usually unhook the line going to the chamber, and let the water flush out about 10-20 gallons.

Schulks · Apr 11, 2023

yeah, I actually have a toggle to switch product water to the drain in order to flush the system once the float valve stops it. I ran it to the drain for about 5 hours.

Schulks · Apr 13, 2023

Reefer Matt said:
Did you flush out the lines before the ro chamber? I usually unhook the line going to the chamber, and let the water flush out about 10-20 gallons.

Wait do you mean take the RO membrane out of the circuit and just run water through the sediment/carbon filters/DI?
Did I mess up my membrane by not doing that?

TDS is now at 8. I'm guessing I had a 1 micron sediment filter before or my pressure is down to 27 now which is 4 lower than it used to be and maybe that is ruining their effectiveness.

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Apr 13, 2023

Schulks said:
Wait do you mean take the RO membrane out of the circuit and just run water through the sediment/carbon filters/DI?
Did I mess up my membrane by not doing that?

TDS is now at 8. I'm guessing I had a 1 micron sediment filter before or my pressure is down to 27 now which is 4 lower than it used to be and maybe that is ruining their effectiveness.

You need to run water through the carbon to get the dust off before hooking that canister to your membrane...

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Apr 13, 2023

Pressure of 27 is much too low for the RODI to work properly.

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Apr 13, 2023

Minimum Water Feed Pressure for Optimal Results:
75/100gpd System: 50+ PSI
150/200gpd System: 65+ PSI

flush the pre-filters, temporarily place the BLUE product water line into your drain. Remove pre-filter packaging and install it in their appropriate filter housing. DO NOT install the TFC membrane or DI media cartridge at this point.
Allow the water to run through the system for 10 minutes to flush the sediment and carbon block filter cartridges.

IceCap 4 stage RO/DI Installation Instructions | coralvue.com

Instructions on how to install and use the IceCap 4 stage RODI water filtration systems.

www.coralvue.com

Schulks · Apr 13, 2023

Indeed it is too low. I am under the impression that just slows down production and increases DI usage.
It is producing 0 TDS water at least.

The replacements were done last week and I've already made 40 gallons. I did run the water to a drain for 5 hours after and next time I'll do it right but is my membrane ok to keep using? I guess they aren't too expensive.

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Apr 13, 2023

Schulks said:
Indeed it is too low. I am under the impression that just slows down production and increases DI usage.
It is producing 0 TDS water at least.

The replacements were done last week and I've already made 40 gallons. I did run the water to a drain for 5 hours after and next time I'll do it right but is my membrane ok to keep using? I guess they aren't too expensive.

No clue.

Schulks · Apr 13, 2023

BRS's article on changing filters doesn't mention unhooking the RO membrane. They just say to run it for awhile like I did. It must not be too bad.

Reefer Matt · Apr 14, 2023

Schulks said:
Wait do you mean take the RO membrane out of the circuit and just run water through the sediment/carbon filters/DI?
Did I mess up my membrane by not doing that?

TDS is now at 8. I'm guessing I had a 1 micron sediment filter before or my pressure is down to 27 now which is 4 lower than it used to be and maybe that is ruining their effectiveness.

I'm not sure if it messed up the membrane, but it is a practice I do when changing carbon filters.

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Apr 14, 2023

Schulks said:
BRS's article on changing filters doesn't mention unhooking the RO membrane. They just say to run it for awhile like I did. It must not be too bad.

Good thing BRS isn't in the business of selling RODI filters...