Shane backer has some amazing SPS and he swears by changing the membrane and pre-filter way more often. Thought it would be worth a shot
I would be totally down for this to be a podcast!No, its not my new podcast lol. Not yet at least...
But anyway, I know this entire forum basically serves this exact purpose collectively. But, I'd like to create a space with a direct line where I can publicly help people with the most dire of tank issues. And by that I mean the "head scratcher". Those problems where you've been throwing solutions at the wall for some time and not getting anywhere. That rare instance when the simplest or most obvious solution isn't the answer. You're at the end of your rope and about ready to call it a day even.
I have been there all too many times and it is enough to make you go bonkers. In fact, I believe I am, in some form or another in constant state of this myself. Comes with the job. Be it major or minor. The good news however, is that I do believe there is always a solution and I have developed a relatively simple protocol for troubleshooting these kinds of problems. You are going to hear me talk about source water a lot, because that always where I start but wherever we end up, a healthy tank and happy brainwaves are the ultimate goal.
So, I guess what I am saying, is that I am making myself as available as I can be in an effort to help personally put this accumulated wisdom I've managed to collect and hoard over the years to good use. And with any luck, help you solve your own tank "head scratcher". So we'll see how it goes. Obviously my primary expertise is sps, but I'm not limiting myself at all here. I will do the best I can whatever your inhabitants are. Now I promise I will also do my best to stay active and keep this thread as up to date as possible. But I may only be able to address a few individuals at a time.
My hope is that this will kind of document my general system of blind troubleshooting in realtime, and ultimately serve as a resource once it's built up a fair amount of info. again, not unlike this entire site lol.
So the waste ratio is 4 to 1 on any BRS without a second RO stage. I would say check your pressure, make sure it stays above 60psi. Lower pressures really cut down on the efficiency. You may wish to run an additional GAC in between the carbon blocks and have your sediment filter in a separate canister before the BRS RODI so you can see what comes out of the municipal supply collect at the bottom.
hey really sorry for the radio silence there. thanks for the info though!
pressure is 50-60.. I heard over 60 is too much? I actually have a reducer on it since it is 100+ psi outta tap..
no sir... just one membrane
Absolutely. running dual membranes in serial where you take the waste line from one, and feed a second TFC membrane can foul the second membrane pretty rapidly in some cases.
Interested thanks Adam. Compelling reason to look more closely at it and possibly change membrane #2 more frequently. I only have 200ppm TDS coming in and change both membranes annually which might be unnecessary but $80 a year is cheap insurance.
Ultimately, as it was explained to me, is that by not running an RO with at least proper 3:1 or 4:1 ratio does not allow the membrane function properly. You’re not flushing it as you make water which is essential to membrane longevity.
I wonder at what point manual flushing would counteract the lack of water running over the outside of the membrane during water production. If more manual flushing is beneficial I may change mine to flush for 1 minutes every 10 or 15 minutes of run time.
this is a direct quote regarding manual, flush kits for what its worth
Yes but with my setup based on this, my manual flushing would be beneficial. Mine flushes at the beginning, end, and then periodically during running. This statement essentially says if you don’t flush regularly and at the end then it won’t help.
truth is I think he went on to say that if your not flushing manually with DI water even, like the big Spectrapure UHE's do its not nearly as effective either.
