How often do you change your RODI filters?

[Clarinuto]

My RODI 4-stage system has been up and rocking for a month now. I want to make sure it stays effective! How often should the filters/cartridges be replaced?

 

[Crabs McJones]

My RODI 4-stage system has been up and rocking for a month now. I want to make sure it stays effective! How often should the filters/cartridges be replaced?

It's really going to depend on how much water you make, but generally my prefilters are changed every 5 to 6 months or if the sediment filter looks really dirty sooner, the RO membranes are usually good for 2 to 3 years, and my DI is changed out as needed via color changing resin. Also as @chris k. stated, a TDS meter is a must

 

[chris k.]

You need to get a tds meter. I have a 3 stage tds. Line 1 is incoming water. Line 2 is ro out. Line 3 is di out. When the output is 0 you are good. When output starts to show numbers, then its time to change.

 

[Clarinuto]

Okay, I thought maybe I’ve exhausted it over the last month or 5 weeks because I can see some diatoms (or at least I think they are diatoms forming on the sand). I just did a water change on Monday so I wouldn’t think it would be a lack of maintenance issue and I tested my water this morning (everything looked good), so I thought it might be the RODI. I’ll attach a pic in case the problem is me misidentifying rather than the RODI... I’ll look into getting a TDS meter also!

 

[Crabs McJones]

Okay, I thought maybe I’ve exhausted it over the last month or 5 weeks because I can see some diatoms (or at least I think they are diatoms forming on the sand). I just did a water change on Monday so I wouldn’t think it would be a lack of maintenance issue and I tested my water this morning (everything looked good), so I thought it might be the RODI. I’ll attach a pic in case the problem is me misidentifying rather than the RODI... I’ll look into getting a TDS meter also!

If this is a fairly new tank, you're going to get diatoms no matter what

 

[Clarinuto]

Darn. Haha. Can’t blame me for trying to escape it. How can I tell the difference between diatoms and dinoflagellates?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Darn. Haha. Can’t blame me for trying to escape it. How can I tell the difference between diatoms and dinoflagellates?

with a microscope is the best way

 

[Clarinuto]

with a microscope is the best way

Thought you might say that. I don’t have one currently, but maybe that needs to change. Thanks

 

[Booger McMoron]

You need to get a tds meter. I have a 3 stage tds. Line 1 is incoming water. Line 2 is ro out. Line 3 is di out. When the output is 0 you are good. When output starts to show numbers, then its time to change.

So if your TDS shows 1 you change all of your filters?

 

[chris k.]

Right now my ro is running at 4. But my di is bringing it down to 0. So my final water output is 0. My lfs doesnt have the membranes in right now. But as soon as i get it i will change everything out. Its been about a year since i changed filters. I use about 1.5 gallons of rodi a day. For a little perspective.

 

[Clarinuto]

Right now my ro is running at 4. But my di is bringing it down to 0. So my final water output is 0. My lfs doesnt have the membranes in right now. But as soon as i get it i will change everything out. Its been about a year since i changed filters. I use about 1.5 gallons of rodi a day. For a little perspective.

What is your total water volume that is being replenished using RODI? Mine is about 120 total, so I’m curious how mine would compare to yours... just as a rough guideline until I have a meter.

 

[chris k.]

I have a 110 gallon reef tank and a 29 gallon anemone tank plumbed together at the sump. Not sure of total water volume but it is close.

 

[Booger McMoron]

My TDS meter is measuring my output water at 3. I use 20 gallons a week.

 

[Jet915]

I got a 5 stage RODI and my TDS got up to 4 after 6 months and I make about 40 gallons a month.

 

[Billdogg]

You can change the filters???

j/k

If you use color changing DI, then whenever it shows exhausted change it for new. I change sediment and carbon maybe once a year, and the ro cartridge if it's output goes up to the point the DI can't take care of it.

As for where to get the replacements - my go-to has been www.buckeyehydro.com from the beginning. Customer service there cannot be beat, their prices are very competitive, and because they are close to me, shipping is fast.