Does It Matter What RO Membrane We Choose?

[Reefen]

I think I need to put a new membrane on the RO, I have seen them at Walmart 100gph for $14.00 dose it matter?, is there a brand I should get, do some do a better job of removing silicas?

 

[Riphter]

There are some that claim a high silica rejection rate. I don’t know how true it is. I always end up with some silica before my di resin. 0 afterwards. If you have a tds meter that would be the way of telling how good the membrane is. If it’s terrible then just return it.

 

[Joedubyk]

The last thing I would ever want to skimp out on , is the most imporatnat part of the RO/DI system. Always buy a trusted brand such as DOW. The risk is a tank crash with an inept RO membrane, at very best your DI will get burned up faster (and more money) vs the peace of mind it's performing how long and how well it's supposed to.

 

[Riphter]

BRS has a great video talking about the best brands of ro membranes.

 

[Biglew11]

The last thing I would ever want to skimp out on , is the most imporatnat part of the RO/DI system. Always buy a trusted brand such as DOW. The risk is a tank crash with an inept RO membrane, at very best your DI will get burned up faster (and more money) vs the peace of mind it's performing how long and how well it's supposed to.

+1

Brs highly recommend Dow.

 

[Joedubyk]

There are quite a few things you can buy cheap(er) on...a good RODI is not one. Whether you're reefing on a budget or have tons of dough to spend, always make sure your corals are getting the cleanest water.

 

[Riphter]

Quick search on Walmart’s webpage shows a Filmtec TW30-1812-100 for 17 bucks. That is a Dow membrane. If that’s the one you are looking at then it would be fine.

 

[Biglew11]

Quick search on Walmart’s webpage shows a Filmtec TW30-1812-100 for 17 bucks. That is a Dow membrane. If that’s the one you are looking at then it would be fine.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Filmtec-...MIjYfPuaOR6gIVMvC1Ch2lTwp4EAQYESABEgKKGvD_BwE
About This Item
Filmtec TW30-1812-100 100 GPD Filmtec Compatible Residential RO Membrane by CFS a,a:hover,a:active,a:visited {color:#0d93d7 !important} Filmtec TW30-1812-100 100 GPD Filmtec Compatible Residential RO Membrane by CFS Filmtec TW30-1812-100 100 GPD Filmtec Compatible Residential RO Membrane by CFS List
Not sure, it says filmtec compatible by CFS. Part number CFS 467

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

+1. This is not a Dow Filmtec membrane. It's a knock-off that's labeled to make you think it's a Dow membrane. There's a reason this membrane costs less than $20 and the one on BRS costs almost $50.

I'm all about saving a buck when possible, but keeping reef aquaria is more about keeping water than anything else. Water quality is a poor place to cut corners. The membrane of the RO system is an especially bad place to cut corners. The quality of the water really comes down to the RO membrane and the DI resin. The other filters are important, but they're mainly about protecting the membrane and resin. Don't skimp on the membrane. They'll last a long time if you replace your prefilters when you should. My last membrane lasted almost 10 years.

Also, get a 75 GPD membrane instead of a 100. The 75 GPD gives you a better rejection rate, meaning it removes more solids from the water and will prolong the life of your DI resin. The 100 GPDs have come a long way and the rejection rate is better, but still not as good as the 75 GPD. Plus, the 75 GPD is 25% cheaper.

 

[Reefen]

kent marine has the HI-S membrane says its high silica removal, $$$ 139.00. wonder if it is worth it

 

[Riphter]

It was just a quick search. I don’t buy anything from Walmart my self. All of my ro/di stuff came from brs. I would trust a good tds meter to tell me if a membrane is working well or not. Even brs tells you to watch your tds meter. Just by a brs Dow membrane and buy some trusted lfs di water while you wait for it to show up.

 

[KStatefan]

Do not go cheap on your membrane you will spend more on DI resin. A 96% rejection rate will pass twice as much to your DI resin as a 98% rejection rate membrane.

 

[Riphter]

My 100gpd brs membrane gives me 98+ percent tds removal. I do have really hard water though. 650ish tds in my tap water.

 

[Reefen]

the kent HI-S is 60gpd, wonder if thats why it gets more silica

 

[KStatefan]

My 100gpd brs membrane gives me 98+ percent tds removal. I do have really hard water though. 650ish tds in my tap water.

That is what the new model of the 100gpd dow membrane is rated at for stabilized rejection the old model was 96%.

 

[Riphter]

75 GPD Reverse Osmosis Membrane - Dow Filmtec

Why does BRS recommend this? DuPont is a leader when it comes to water treatment and filtration. Their 75 GPD membrane has a 99% rejection ratio, and most other membranes cannot make that same claim. Along with meeting NSF/ANSI standards the 75 GPD DuPont (formerly Dow Chemical) membrane is...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

The most recommended membrane.

 

[Riphter]

That is what the new model of the 100gpd dow membrane is rated at for stabilized rejection the old model was 96%.

takes my 650+ down to 10 to 15 tds. I don’t have space for dual 75 canisters. Otherwise I would have done that.

 

[KStatefan]

takes my 650+ down to 10 to 15 tds. I don’t have space for dual 75 canisters. Otherwise I would have done that.

I would never use a dual membrane system with as high as your TDS is.

 

[Riphter]

I would never use a dual membrane system with as high as your TDS is.

good to know. I was not aware of that being an issue.

 

[Flippers4pups]

The Dow 75 GPD membrane is the only one I use.