RO unit help and suggestions..

[tomb18]

Turns out my filtered water has silica in it. Thus my new fish only tank is starting with a diatom bloom.
So I'm in the market for an RO unit, thinking about the Spectrapure unit.
I have some questions, mostly revolving around placement.
I have a need for fresh water for an aquarium top off, and water for salt water changes.
The saltwater changes use a 20 gallon pail. This is where I would like to have the ro unit. However there is no real location for another pail there so I don't know what to do. I need up to 1/2 gallon a day of fresh water. The water changes will be done every 2 to 3 weeks about 15 gallons at a time.
Can you shut these units off with a valve on the inlet? How do I determine when the pail is full? What do I do for the 1/2 gallon a day top off?
Is a tank necessary? Or can I have both?
Thanks from this newbie. Tom

 

[tomb18]

Another question is how much waste water is created? Is it like a steady stream out of a faucet?
Thanks

 

[Philly Reefer]

Yes you can shut the unit off.
Mine is not even plugged in the plumbing.
I use the faucet adapter so everytime I made rodi is the only time I plug it in the faucet.

I use a 20g brute trash can for my rodi storage. And I usually run the rodi overnight. Because I have a float valve inside the can. It shut off when its full. No spillage!

 

[Philly Reefer]

Another question is how much waste water is created? Is it like a steady stream out of a faucet?
Thanks

Yes. Depending on the rodi unit, the regular rodi ratio would be 1 rodi water to 5 waste water.

I used BRS 4 stage water saver plus unit. So the ratio is closer to 1:1

The other thing that you will need to pay attention to is the water pressure from your tap. If it's low, you will need booster pump

 

[tomb18]

Ok.
Can I split the output with a valve and have it sent to two different containers?
Tom

 

[Philly Reefer]

Yes. You can do that. Some people do that to sent the rodi water directly to their salt mixing bucket when its empty.

Again float valve!!! For a very inexpensive thing, that can save lots of headache

 

[tomb18]

Ok thanks. Seems like I have all the info.
Ordered, and should be up and running in 10 days.
Thanks, Tom

 

[tomb18]

Hi, Received the RODI and all is running. So, it's been 12 hours and I only have about 8 gallons. Is it normal for the RO unit to be slow when new?
Thanks

 

[Snoopy 67]

Well you are up in the North Country, so-- cold water temps will cause an RO unit to produce LESS compared to warmer temps. Low water pressure also has the same effect.

 

[Mooses]

Hi, Received the RODI and all is running. So, it's been 12 hours and I only have about 8 gallons. Is it normal for the RO unit to be slow when new?
Thanks

That seems awfully low. Is there a ton of waste water? Or is it just dripping out the RO very slow? If it’s just dripping slow, I’d purchase the booster pump.

 

[alysak6075]

Hi, Received the RODI and all is running. So, it's been 12 hours and I only have about 8 gallons. Is it normal for the RO unit to be slow when new?
Thanks

Also depends on which model you bought. For example a 75GPD should produce 1 gallon of filtered water in about 20-25 minutes at 60psi

 

[Mooses]

That seems awfully low. Is there a ton of waste water? Or is it just dripping out the RO very slow? If it’s just dripping slow, I’d purchase the booster pump.

Also, another idea: try purging some water from the faucet. Only the water that is in the line above the ground should be cold since you live so far north. Water that is in the pipes below ground should be the same temp as the ground, around 75 degrees.

 

[Philly Reefer]

Which rodi system did you get?
And does it have pressure gauge?

 

[tomb18]

The pressure is 50 psi but the temperature is around 55F.
The manual did say it would take a while to get full output. Any experience with that?
Tom

 

[tomb18]

I bought the SpectraPure 90 gallon a day RODI with automatic purge. It has a gauge and it reads 50 psi.

 

[Philly Reefer]

Ok the pressure is slightly low but that is still ok.
The water temp does make lower amount.

So if you do want more production, booster pump

 

[alysak6075]

I bought the SpectraPure 90 gallon a day RODI with automatic purge. It has a gauge and it reads 50 psi.

Try getting as mush air out of it as possible, its probably a bit air locked. Once you do that read the pressure again. If still at 50 psi, you will need a booster pump

 

[Snoopy 67]

Sorry Mooses but I have to disagree on water temps in ground.
Perhaps in Texas they might run 75 degrees but here in LI,NY they run about 55.
I think in Canada they could be even lower.

 

[tomb18]

Today I measured all parameters. Water inlet 61F. Waste production 850mls per minute.
Product 75mls per minute.
Based on the 52psi, and the temperature I should be getting about 50 gallons a day. I'm getting 25 gallons a day.
Inlet TDs 54, ro out 0.00.
Something is not right. Have a support message into spectra pure.
Tom

 

[Snoopy 67]

You should have roughly a 4:1 waste ratio. According to your figures it's over 11:1.
Sounds like a flow restrictor issue.