RODI Stopped Producing

[bevo5]

I've got a Spectrapure 180gpd system that has just completely stopped producing.

I did all kinds of tests to try and find the source of the slowdown, and it seems like the water is getting blocked from my RO units...which I admit are the cheap kind and probably too old.

I've ordered new ones, but is that a common issue when it's time to replace those filters? I'm going to remove the filters and see if water flows....but otherwise, it's just a bunch of tubes and canisters, so not a lot of places for things to get stopped up. Right?

 

[shwareefer]

Mine just did this a month ago. I made 50 gallons and then the next time a few weeks later I went to make 50 the pressure guage pegged (because of a booster pump) and the flow was zero. In my case it was the carbon filter had completely clogged. I was surprised it could go from working to zero so fast. So I would say it could be anywhere in your system, you just have to bipass or remove one at a time (which I'm guessing you did).

As for membranes, I would check the flow restrictors on the waste line. It's a small hole and I had one gum up once too.

 

[bevo5]

Mine just did this a month ago. I made 50 gallons and then the next time a few weeks later I went to make 50 the pressure guage pegged (because of a booster pump) and the flow was zero. In my case it was the carbon filter had completely clogged. I was surprised it could go from working to zero so fast. So I would say it could be anywhere in your system, you just have to bipass or remove one at a time (which I'm guessing you did).

As for membranes, I would check the flow restrictors on the waste line. It's a small hole and I had one gum up once too.

Yup - just went and removed the RO filters and water started flowing like crazy. Guess I found the issue! Got the two new ones on order but the tank might be getting a little top off with slightly less great water for a few days.

 

[Reef.]

I've got a Spectrapure 180gpd system that has just completely stopped producing.

I did all kinds of tests to try and find the source of the slowdown, and it seems like the water is getting blocked from my RO units...which I admit are the cheap kind and probably too old.

I've ordered new ones, but is that a common issue when it's time to replace those filters? I'm going to remove the filters and see if water flows....but otherwise, it's just a bunch of tubes and canisters, so not a lot of places for things to get stopped up. Right?

wrong…the filters work by moving water through very small holes, if as you say the rodi system is cheap and the filters are old, that is likely the reason you aren’t getting water through the system.

 

[Reef.]

Yup - just went and removed the RO filters and water started flowing like crazy. Guess I found the issue! Got the two new ones on order but the tank might be getting a little top off with slightly less great water for a few days.

can’t you buy a little distilled water for now?

 

[bevo5]

can’t you buy a little distilled water for now?

Yup - I can get some distilled water. I can also get water through my carbon and DI resin just fine. Luckily the water near me comes out of the tap at only about 15 TDS, so it's not too bad.

 

[Reef.]

Yup - I can get some distilled water. I can also get water through my carbon and DI resin just fine. Luckily the water near me comes out of the tap at only about 15 TDS, so it's not too bad.

depends what the 15 TDS is though, might be better just to wait for the replacements if you can, or make do with the distilled.

 

[bevo5]

T

depends what the 15 TDS is though, might be better just to wait for the replacements if you can, or make do with the distilled.

Good point. Very true.

I also have 20g of mixed salt water. Adding a gallon or two of that over the next few days won't really affect the salinity in a measurable way. I have about 220g of total water volume in there.