RODI water still has high TDS level?

[CarleyCarter]

Hi everyone!

I recently bought a 4 stage RODi unit and added a chloramine filter as well. I flushed the unit with at least 20 gallons and my TDS level is 6 ppm. What am I doing wrong?

Thank you!

 

[LeftyReefer]

6 TDS is after the DI stage?

What is the TDS of your incoming source water?

How did you flush the system? did you disconnect the RO membrane and the DI stage before flushing the carbon filters?

 

[CarleyCarter]

6 TDS is after the DI stage?

What is the TDS of your incoming source water?

How did you flush the system? did you disconnect the RO membrane and the DI stage before flushing the carbon filters?

Hi! Yes, it’s reading 6 TDS after the DI stage.

I’m reading 1070 ppm for unfiltered water.

I followed the instructions for the RO buddie. I can’t remember exactly but I believe I did!

 

[Jekyl]

Hi! Yes, it’s reading 6 TDS after the DI stage.

I’m reading 1070 ppm for unfiltered water.

I followed the instructions for the RO buddie. I can’t remember exactly but I believe I did!

Is the di resin packed tight?

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

wow 1070 ppm for tap water? that's some seriously polluated tap water. 7 stage filter rodi for that amount. FYI anything over 500ppm tds is not safe for drinking.

What Is The Acceptable Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) Level In Drinking Water?

Total dissolved solids (TDS) is a measure of the combined total of organic and inorganic substances contained in a liquid. In this article, we will discuss the acceptable total dissolved solids level in the drinking water.

theberkey.com

 

[LeftyReefer]

yeah, I"m not sure the 4 stage Buddie system was the best choice for filtering 1000 TDS water.
I think you're going to need a bigger RODI.

 

[CarleyCarter]

wow 1070 ppm for tap water? that's some seriously polluated tap water. 7 stage filter rodi for that amount. FYI anything over 500ppm tds is not safe for drinking.

What Is The Acceptable Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) Level In Drinking Water?

Total dissolved solids (TDS) is a measure of the combined total of organic and inorganic substances contained in a liquid. In this article, we will discuss the acceptable total dissolved solids level in the drinking water.

theberkey.com

Yeah, I live in Tampa and the water sucks. I’ll look into a 7 stage. Thanks!

 

[CarleyCarter]

yeah, I"m not sure the 4 stage Buddie system was the best choice for filtering 1000 TDS water.
I think you're going to need a bigger RODI.

Didn’t realize it was that bad until this morning. Whoops.

 

[EricR]

I was thinking 1070 TDS incoming is high too.
Do you know what it is AFTER RO (before DI)?

I use BRS 6 stage on tap water and thought my tap water was a bit on the high side.
For reference, I'm usually at (TDS):
- 440 incoming (tap)
- 12 after RO
- 0 after DI (2 DI canisters)

 

[92Miata]

Hi! Yes, it’s reading 6 TDS after the DI stage.

I’m reading 1070 ppm for unfiltered water.

I followed the instructions for the RO buddie. I can’t remember exactly but I believe I did!

Where are the TDS meters? Most units have them right before the DI, and right after the DI - I haven't seen a commercial one with an untreated tds meter. If you're seeing 1070 on the first meter, and you didn't move it - you probably don't have a membrane. And your DI is trash.

 

[CarleyCarter]

Where are the TDS meters? Most units have them right before the DI, and right after the DI - I haven't seen a commercial one with an untreated tds meter. If you're seeing 1070 on the first meter, and you didn't move it - you probably don't have a membrane. And your DI is trash.

I don't think I have any TDS meters on the RODI unit. I’m testing the water with a digital TDS meter.

 

[LeftyReefer]

Where are the TDS meters? Most units have them right before the DI, and right after the DI - I haven't seen a commercial one with an untreated tds meter. If you're seeing 1070 on the first meter, and you didn't move it - you probably don't have a membrane. And your DI is trash.

Mine has triple meters on it. First one is measuring incoming TDS, 2nd one measures after RO, 3rd measures after DI.

A triple inline meter is only $34 on amazon. Easy enough to add. (model TRM-1)

 

[92Miata]

I don't think I have any TDS meters on the RODI unit. I’m testing the water with a digital TDS meter.

In order to troubleshoot an RODI unit - you need an inline TDS meter before the membrane, and after the membrane. You need to be able to determine rejection rate, and see whats actually getting to your DI.

Also, send your tap water and get it analysed. You need to know whats causing the high tds before you start buying new pieces for your system.

 

[Garf]

I don't think I have any TDS meters on the RODI unit. I’m testing the water with a digital TDS meter.

Make sure the container your using to test it is thoroughly rinsed with the stuff your testing. Even a little bit of that strangely high TDS tapwater will throw the result off. Can you post a pic of the TDS meter, over 1000 ppm is really high.

 

[CarleyCarter]

Make sure the container you’re using to test it is thoroughly rinsed with the stuff you’re testing. Even a little bit of that strangely high TDS tapwater will throw the result off. Can you post a pic of the TDS meter, over 1000 ppm is really high.

You’re right - I rinsed the container really well and tested again. It’s reading 198 now. Thank you! There must of been salt or something in the bucket I was using.

 

[Paul B]

6 is fine. Don't worry about it.

 

[CarleyCarter]

6 is fine. Don't worry about it.

Really!? I was looking into spending a lot more money but if 6 is okay… that would be fantastic. Haha!

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

Even a tiny amount of salt left over from the last batch can threw off readings on your meter. Diffinitely test the water in a clean vessel.

I get 6 TDS before my DI resin.


#Paul B don't you source your water straight from the ocean? lol

 

[EricR]

Really!? I was looking into spending a lot more money but if 6 is okay… that would be fantastic. Haha!

Really, it depends on what exactly is making up that 6 TDS,,, but you don't know that. (Goal of RODI system is obviously to get to 0)

Also, I'm no expert but as someone stated earlier, you might be burning through your DI resin really fast. I get that you don't know what TDS is going INTO your DI but probably worth pulling a hose/line and getting a reading on water coming out AFTER RO stage (before DI),,, or you could buy an inline meter like someone suggested (but then you're just adding cost to what I assume was intended to be a budget system).

 

[CarleyCarter]

Even a tiny amount of salt left over from the last batch can threw off readings on your meter. Diffinitely test the water in a clean vessel.

I get 6 TDS before my DI resin.


#Paul B don't you source your water straight from the ocean? lol

Thanks Tuan! I’m going to run a few gallons today and make sure I test in a clean bucket. I didn’t think about that before so it could’ve thrown off the final TDS level. Thanks again!