Is this normal DI resin depletion?

Squadir · Sep 12, 2016

I finally got around to hooking up my new spectra pure 90 gpd Rodi unit this weekend.
After following all instructions to the 't' and installing my aquatec booster pump I set it to run overnight to fill my 50g reservoir.
Next morning in my opinion the DI resin looks like it is 3/4 depleted. Am I being paranoid or is this how it normally looks after just 50 gallons?

I tested each stage to make sure everything is OK and it turns out its fine. Below are my results
Source water tds 260
0 chlorine after the carbon block
8 ppm after ro membrane
Psi 65
0 ppm after di resin.

Lazys Coral House · Sep 12, 2016

Caveat; I don't know a lot about ro/di units but I think something maybe wrong. I have TDS of about 220 going in to unit and di resin lasts me about 2,000 gallons. Going into DI tds is 2-4

ZJedi945 · Sep 12, 2016

I am currently have similar issues with my BRS setup curious to see what people say. I filled up a 30gal brute and 1/4 of the DI is now brown.

TheEngineer · Sep 12, 2016

If you're getting 0ppm out, the DI is still working. That color change stuff isn't a great way to judge.

For me, I deplete DI resin quickly because of high CO2 levels in my water. I'm on a well though. Are you on a well or city water?

The Rook · Sep 12, 2016

Following along as well.

ZJedi945 · Sep 12, 2016

icecool2 said:
If you're getting 0ppm out, the DI is still working. That color change stuff isn't a great way to judge.

For me, I deplete DI resin quickly because of high CO2 levels in my water. I'm on a well though. Are you on a well or city water?

Well for me. BUT it used to last a long time. Not like now for some reason.

Squadir · Sep 12, 2016

icecool2 said:
If you're getting 0ppm out, the DI is still working. That color change stuff isn't a great way to judge.

For me, I deplete DI resin quickly because of high CO2 levels in my water. I'm on a well though. Are you on a well or city water?

I'm on city water. Yeah I figured that I will need to keep testing to know when the resin is really depleted.
how do you test for CO2 ?

TheEngineer · Sep 12, 2016

ZJedi945 said:
Well for me. BUT it used to last a long time. Not like now for some reason.

What's the TDS coming out of your RO membrane?

Squadir said:
I'm on city water. Yeah I figured that I will need to keep testing to know when the resin is really depleted.
how do you test for CO2 ?

Spectrapure sells a test kit. What's the pH of the water coming out of the tap?

Squadir · Sep 12, 2016

icecool2 said:
What's the TDS coming out of your RO membrane?

Spectrapure sells a test kit. What's the pH of the water coming out of the tap?

not sure, i'll test it when I get home this afternoon.

donnievaz · Sep 12, 2016

Was the resin brand new or has it been sitting around a long time? There's also the possibility of a bad batch from BRS. I'd get in touch with them and see what they have to say about it.

Squadir · Sep 12, 2016

donnievaz said:
Was the resin brand new or has it been sitting around a long time? There's also the possibility of a bad batch from BRS. I'd get in touch with them and see what they have to say about it.

I'm guessing its new, I ordered the unit and had it about 2 weeks in the original packaging before installation.
Its a Spectrapure unit (not BRS), ordered directly from their site.
I'll test my Ph this afternoon to have all the numbers before I contact them. The only thing I cant test is right now is CO2 unless there is another way to test it other than using their test kit.

TheEngineer · Sep 12, 2016

Squadir said:
I'm guessing its new, I ordered the unit and had it about 2 weeks in the original packaging before installation.
Its a Spectrapure unit (not BRS), ordered directly from their site.
I'll test my Ph this afternoon to have all the numbers before I contact them. The only thing I cant test is right now is CO2 unless there is another way to test it other than using their test kit.

That's why I asked about pH. If the pH is low, you can test if it is excess CO2 causing the problem pretty easily.

Squadir · Sep 12, 2016

icecool2 said:
That's why I asked about pH. If the pH is low, you can test if it is excess CO2 causing the problem pretty easily.

ahh I hear ya. will check it as soon as I get home later and let you know. thanks

AZDesertRat · Sep 12, 2016

Spectrapure layers their DI resins in their MaxCap and SilicaBuster cartridges unlike any other vendor. It can be deceiving and look like the color is changing. Ignore the colors and always use your handheld TDS meter for accurate readings and condition.

jason_mazzy · Sep 12, 2016

tds after RO membrne will help us diagnose a problem

Ibra9 · Sep 12, 2016

Squadir said:
8 ppm after ro membrane

It's already stated

TheEngineer · Sep 12, 2016

Ibra9 said:
It's already stated

Yeah. Issue is two people talking about the same issue. Someone is hijacking

The Rook · Sep 12, 2016

I think it's easier to actually see how long it's lasting by the TDS reading than the coloring from what I'm gathering.

scardall · Sep 12, 2016

@Squadir Do have chloramines from you source water. If so, it will cause your DI resin to deplete prematurely. Catalytic Carbon before resin will fix this. I had that issue and this carbon type fixed it.