Low RO/DI Water Production AquaFX Octopus

[OfcrReef1]

Hi All,
Just Purchased an AquaFX Octopus RO/DI System from Marine Depot and hooked everything up today for the first time.

My question is, I'm trying to decide if this system economically make sense for me to own based off its performance today. Im wondering if the figures below are normal for an RO system OR if it could be other contributors causing such a slow/low amount of RO water production.

Was making water for exactly 1.5 hours and I measured only 5 gallons of RO water produced with a staggering 80 gallons of waste water spilt down my driveway. Spent a little extra money on what I considered to be a nice system that states 1:1 waste water ratio not sure how that ratio correlates to my actual findings today.

If my math is correct for me to complete a water change I need around (55 gallons of RO water) & it would take me.
=20 Hours to make 55 gallons of RO water
=Around 1,000 gallons of waste water
Just seems like an enormous amount of waste water.

 

[KStatefan]

I do not know about that system but is there a flush valve that should have been closed?

 

[OfcrReef1]

This system has an automatic Membrane Flush and is supposed to flush every hour.

 

[Marten]

If you can answer a few questions, it might help diagnose your low output.
What is the TDS prior to the RO/DI?
What is the temp of the water going into your RO/DI filter?

 

[lacrosseboss18]

I think there is also a valve that you can use to adjust the production to waste ratio. It might be set too open so its letting more waste water then production water. Go to aquafx website there is a video of them adjusting it.

 

[OfcrReef1]

If you can answer a few questions, it might help diagnose your low output.
What is the TDS prior to the RO/DI?
What is the temp of the water going into your RO/DI filter?

TDS Is around 445 ppm prior to RO/DI system, and water is very cold coming from a Well. My soften water is reading 456 TDS for some reason. Will TDS prior to the system effect the output flow?.

 

[OfcrReef1]

I think there is also a valve that you can use to adjust the production to waste ratio. It might be set too open so its letting more waste water then production water. Go to aquafx website there is a video of them adjusting it.

Great advise I will check that out.

 

[ReefCheef]

Hi All,
Just Purchased an AquaFX Octopus RO/DI System from Marine Depot and hooked everything up today for the first time.

My question is, I'm trying to decide if this system economically make sense for me to own based off its performance today. Im wondering if the figures below are normal for an RO system OR if it could be other contributors causing such a slow/low amount of RO water production.

Was making water for exactly 1.5 hours and I measured only 5 gallons of RO water produced with a staggering 80 gallons of waste water spilt down my driveway. Spent a little extra money on what I considered to be a nice system that states 1:1 waste water ratio not sure how that ratio correlates to my actual findings today.

If my math is correct for me to complete a water change I need around (55 gallons of RO water) & it would take me.
=20 Hours to make 55 gallons of RO water
=Around 1,000 gallons of waste water
Just seems like an enormous amount of waste water.

I have the same system. Got it 3 months ago. Did you flush the carbon blocks? That little nozzle that hangs to the left of them needs to be opened until the carbon blocks rinse. That might be slowing your production? Mine makes water much faster than any other RO I've owned to date. I have the exact same unit as you.

 

[Snoopy 67]

One other thing.
Well water is usually high in CO2. This will deplete your DI resin fast.
The water has to be degassed before run through the RO unit.

 

[Dunc]

TDS Is around 445 ppm prior to RO/DI system, and water is very cold coming from a Well. My soften water is reading 456 TDS for some reason. Will TDS prior to the system effect the output flow?.

According to EPA drinking water regulations, 500 ppm is the recommended maximum amount of TDS for drinking water. You’re getting close. The water coming into my house varies between 7 and 4 ppm, so my RO/DI unit doesn’t have to work that hard. Also, what is the water pressure coming into you house? If it’s low your unit will struggle and won’t be very efficient. My water ranges between 58 and 62 psi coming into the house. Then I use a booster pump and ramp it up to 75 psi pushing through the RO membrane.

 

[Jekyl]

Add a booster pump if you haven't. I heard it cuts way down on waste if your pressure isn't where it needs to be.

 

[greg 45]

Give them a call on Monday
Look at there sight for the contact info
Ask for Doug they can walk you through it .

 

[OfcrReef1]

I have the same system. Got it 3 months ago. Did you flush the carbon blocks? That little nozzle that hangs to the left of them needs to be opened until the carbon blocks rinse. That might be slowing your production? Mine makes water much faster than any other RO I've owned to date. I have the exact same unit as yo

I have the same system. Got it 3 months ago. Did you flush the carbon blocks? That little nozzle that hangs to the left of them needs to be opened until the carbon blocks rinse. That might be slowing your production? Mine makes water much faster than any other RO I've owned to date. I have the exact same unit as you.

When I first turned the water on it came shooting out of that little nozzle for a few seconds. I then closed it and then later flushed the carbon for awhile.

 

[OfcrReef1]

Give them a call on Monday
Look at there sight for the contact info
Ask for Doug they can walk you through it .

Ok Thank you.

 

[OfcrReef1]

One other thing.
Well water is usually high in CO2. This will deplete your DI resin fast.
The water has to be degassed before run through the RO unit.

Hmmm Interesting, I never knew that. How would I test my water for C02?

 

[Snoopy 67]

I believe there is a test for it but not sure.

 

[OfcrReef1]

I believe there is a test for it but not sure.

I completed a KH/PH test and compared the values to a chart I found online, and I came up with 22.7-23.00 I'm guessing that's in PPM. Ordered an actual C02 test kit online should have it in a few days then I will compare my numbers. Hopefully I can get to the bottom of this thanks for the heads up.
KH: 18-19
PH: 7.4PPM

 

[bluetang77]

I have the same system. Got it 3 months ago. Did you flush the carbon blocks? That little nozzle that hangs to the left of them needs to be opened until the carbon blocks rinse. That might be slowing your production? Mine makes water much faster than any other RO I've owned to date. I have the exact same unit as you.

This is a follow up to this conversation. I was searching for information about changing the filters on the octopus, which i own. There is virtually no online support and a couple of outdated videos for the unit i do not have. The manual is unclear and grammatically virtually unreadable. I had an Air, Water and Ice Tyhpoon III reefkeeper at my old house that I loved but I left with the house when I moved. I bought this because it boasted more features and yield than my old unit. If I had known about the poor customer service I would have stuck with what I had. My question is that you spoke of the little valve on the left side of the two blue chloramine blaster filter housings needing to be opened to rinse the carbon blocks prior to exposing the DI cartridge after changing filters. There is no mention of this or how to do it in the "manual". So the process is as follows? :
change all 4 filters, insert sediment filter and two carbon/chloramine blaster filters and close up unit, leaving fourth DI chamber empty. Run unit to rinse filters through aforementioned nozzle (how long) until carbon blocks are rinsed. How do you tell? Once rinsed stop unit again and install DI cartridge. Now is there a rinsing process for the DI or am I ready to go and make water? I would really appreciate any info you may have regarding this unit. I really want to like it considering what I spent for it and the amount of water it can produce. Thank You.