RO/DI System Question

ngvu1 · Dec 19, 2015

I remember reading some where about temperature and pressure for making the RO/DI systems working efficiently. The gentleman was saying temperature 75 and pressure at least 75PSI. I have my system outside and it is 60-65, which is great, most of the time or at least when I am making water. I can see it takes a lot longer to make 5 gallons. The pressure has NOT changed. In the summer it took 40 mins to make 5 gallons, now when it is colder, it takes 50 mins to make 5 gallons of water. Is this expected?

Thanks for reading

twilliard · Dec 19, 2015

@AZDesertRat can quickly answer this

ngvu1 · Dec 19, 2015

Thanks, I should have added his ID in the post

twilliard said:
@AZDesertRat can quickly answer this

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 19, 2015

In addition to temp and pressure issues, produced water will also slow as the prefilters clog.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 19, 2015

FWIW, a typical membrane will drop in production rate by about 3% for each 1 degree C that the water is cooler. Yours dropped by 20%, and that would be consistent with water about 12 deg F cooler, which is probably true for many folks as the seasons change.

AZDesertRat · Dec 19, 2015

Basically a 75 gpd membrane will produce 75 gpd at 77 degrees F, 50 psi incoming pressure and 250 TDS. Changes to any of those, either up or down has an effect on the gpd. Russ at Buckeye Hydro has put together this nice little calculator you can play with and see the effects of the changes.
http://www.buckeyehydro.com/calculator/
I would highly recommend moving your system indoors in a climate controlled place, outdoors not only exposes it to temperature extremes but also promotes algae bacteria and virus growth inside the housings with bright lighting and warm daytime temperatures.

ngvu1 · Dec 19, 2015

I cover the ro/di system so no sun light but it still has algae due to clear canisters. I don't have room for it in the garage or the house. I guess I will just be more PATIENT

in the winter.

AZDesertRat · Dec 19, 2015

I can't believe you don't have room for it somewhere protected? How about on the wall above the washing machine, or under the kitchen or bathroom cabinet, or even in a closet then pull it out, use it and put it back. You are really asking for trouble with it outside.

ngvu1 · Dec 19, 2015

Hmm, it is inside a card board box under a covered patio and I cover it with some clothing. Not as good as the garage but not as bad. I could make an insulated box for it, but has not done that. What kind of trouble besides algae growing inside the canisters? I replace the filters every 6 months to a year.

AZDesertRat said:
I can't believe you don't have room for it somewhere protected? How about on the wall above the washing machine, or under the kitchen or bathroom cabinet, or even in a closet then pull it out, use it and put it back. You are really asking for trouble with it outside.

AZDesertRat · Dec 19, 2015

Bacteria, viruses, etc. You are providing a breeding ground since the carbon removes and residual chlorine disinfectant and the warm days and potential for sunlight makes them multiply if present. Its not worth the risk. ALL membrane manufacturers and vendors tell you to keep the systems inside and away from temperature fluctuations and bright lighting. I can tell you from personal experience, bad things can breed inside filters when they are not taken care of, I have presonally seen people requiring medical help and have taken lab samples from RO systems that had bacteria counts higher than could be counted, it can get real ugly. Your fish and corals deserve better. Also do you disinfect the system each time you change the filters? This is also a necessity to reduce the possibility of growth and is recommended by all manufacturers and reputable/knowledgable vendors.

ngvu1 · Dec 19, 2015

You are making me nervous AZDesertRat. However, I have a hard time believing all of this 100%; The source water is drinkable, so it is clean or at least at an acceptable level to start with. I agree that there are some bacteria and stuff growing over time, but the fish has their immune system to fight back right? Also not sure if the fresh water bacteria gets eliminated by the salt water.....Further more, I do change the filters often enough to reduce this problem and I only rinse the canisters with water.

I appreciate your information regardless!

saltyfilmfolks · Dec 20, 2015

He is correct.
Standing enclosed water creates bacteria. It should be cleaned with bleach rinsed and dried fully.
Open the canister and feel inside. Smooth and a lil slippery like wet baby bum.
That's the bacteria coating the plastic. Plastic is porous and should squeak.
It's tough being told we are not correct. But there are probably very few people more qualified to give this information to you.
We are sooo lucky they share it. For free.

Me. I'm just a guy with insomnia looking for RO info. My house is totally a pain to plumb.

ngvu1 · Dec 20, 2015

LOL, Unlike many other people, I loved to be corrected and I have no issue admitting I am wrong when I AM WRONG. I have no doubt that AZDesertRat is a great and knowledgeable guy and I really appreciate his contribution to the reef community. I pay high attention to what he says/posts. However, I often check the facts and add the math and use common sense. I have made a lot of mistakes in the past and very likely will continue to. I keep learning from my mistakes and hopefully won't repeat them. That is a part of life, at least mine.
"Algae is bad" ... "Bacteria is no good"; I would say it depends!

AZDesertRat · Dec 20, 2015

Having been a certified water treatment professional for 40 years I can tell you some real horror stories. Many involve point of use treatment devices, others broken water mains and backflow or back siphonage and others just poor judgement or lack of knowledge on sanitation or disinfection practices. Don't take what I am telling you lightly, what I am recommending is the industry standard practice for a reason.

saltyfilmfolks · Dec 20, 2015

ngvu1 said:
LOL, Unlike many other people, I loved to be corrected and I have no issue admitting I am wrong when I AM WRONG. I have no doubt that AZDesertRat is a great and knowledgeable guy and I really appreciate his contribution to the reef community. I pay high attention to what he says/posts. However, I often check the facts and add the math and use common sense. I have made a lot of mistakes in the past and very likely will continue to. I keep learning from my mistakes and hopefully won't repeat them. That is a part of life, at least mine.
"Algae is bad" ... "Bacteria is no good"; I would say it depends!

You are a wise man. And some algae is good and some bacteria is good. Is amazing to have these guys help us tell the difference.
Kudos to you all.

Let us now recite the men's pledge.
I am a man. I can change.
If I have to.
I guess.

J

Jlobes · Dec 20, 2015

@AZDesertRat how does one disinfect the system when changing filters? I keep mine inside, above the washer/dryer in a fairly dark area. just asking so i can keep things clean and working properly

AZDesertRat · Dec 20, 2015

It's the 8th post in this thread
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/did-i-ruin-my-filter.117823/#post-1324928

Jlobes · Dec 20, 2015

AZDesertRat said:
It's the 8th post in this thread
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/did-i-ruin-my-filter.117823/#post-1324928

thanks! you are seriously, one of the most helpful members on this forum and really take the time to articulate the whole process! really appreciate that. thanks for saving my membrane and rodi system!

ReefConcept · Dec 21, 2015

AZDesertRat said:
Bacteria, viruses, etc. You are providing a breeding ground since the carbon removes and residual chlorine disinfectant and the warm days and potential for sunlight makes them multiply if present. Its not worth the risk. ALL membrane manufacturers and vendors tell you to keep the systems inside and away from temperature fluctuations and bright lighting. I can tell you from personal experience, bad things can breed inside filters when they are not taken care of, I have presonally seen people requiring medical help and have taken lab samples from RO systems that had bacteria counts higher than could be counted, it can get real ugly. Your fish and corals deserve better. Also do you disinfect the system each time you change the filters? This is also a necessity to reduce the possibility of growth and is recommended by all manufacturers and reputable/knowledgable vendors.

Totally agree. Even if the fish have strong immune systems to fight off potential illness and infection doesn't mean they should have to. At least the OP is mature enough to heed the advice and admonishments.

The info I was going to share were already covered by Randy Holmes-Farley and AZDesertRat.