The capillary tube goes in the waste line, often a yellow or red line on most units. Remove the line where it exits the membrane housing and insert the capillary tube after trinmming it to the recommended starting length. You will come back to this restrictor a little later once you get the unit in operation as it will need a final testing and probably trimming. Always do this important step!
Now do not install ANYTHING yet. Follow these steps for the best filter life and performance.
1. Remove all the old filters remembering which housing holds which filter cartridge. In your case tis includes the RO membrane since you have a new one. Pay particular attention to the tube placement as its very easy to get them mixed up, even for someone who does it every day.
2. Wash all the housings out with mild soap and water since you have it apart and rinse them well.
3. VERY IMPORTANT- Add 2 or 3 spoon fulls of regular unscented bleach to the first or prefilter housing and screw all the empty housings back together including the empty membrane housing. Slowly turn the water on and allow all the housings to fill with water until you see water exiting the lines. Let the unit stand for 5 minutes or so then run some more water until you do not smell any bleach. More bleach is not better in this case. Bleach disinfects the system and reduces the possibility of bacteria or virus growth in the housings. Remember the carbon removes any residual disinfect your utility provides so any contaminants can grow past that point if they are present.
3. Unscrew the first housing, install ONLY the prefilter at this time nothing else. Again turn the water on and allow the prefilter to flush for few minutes to flush out and binders, antimicrobial treatments and glues. Shut the water off and unscrew the second or carbon block housing then do the same flush again to remove any carbon fines and binders from the carbon block. See where I am going here? Do each stage individually so you don't foul or contaminate the following stage.
4. If you have two carbons, which I don't recommend if you are using a high quality carbon block in a low micron range of 1 micron or less and a low micron prefilter, do the same for the second carbon.
5. Now, install the membrane paying particular attention to make sure it is inserted al the way. It goes in further than you might think and will bypass or treat poorly if not installed correctly. If it doesn't want to go in easily you can lubricate the O rings and seal with a very very tiny amount of silicone grease or vaseline but I don't car for vaseline personally.
6. Make sure the flow restrictor is installed and run the membrane to waste for 3 to 5 gallons of good water. At this point, using your TDS meter you should see the TDS start out pretty high and begin to drop with time. It should be around 2 to 4% of what the incoming tap water TDS is once its well flushed and saturated. It may take a day or two of making water to get it really broken in well though.
7. Once the membrane is flushed measure your waste ratio to determine if you are close to the recommended 4:1 waste ratio, or 4 cups, quarts, gallons, whatever of waste to every cup, quart, or gallon of good. I use a measuring cup and wrist watch or clock to time x minutes of waste then the same x minutes of waste and compare them. It should be close to 4:1 for best membrane life and performance. More waste gives beter flushing and possibly longer membrane life but may allow too much pressure drop resulting in reduced production and possibly lower removal efficiency. Too little waste and the membrane becomes scaled up and fails prematurely. 4:1 is the universal recomendation and the capillary tube can be trimmed to get this exact amout of waste unlike fixed flow restrictors which again I don't care for.
8. Now you can install your new DI resin and give it a final rinse up or flush, maybe a gallon or two and you are ready to go. Your TDS meter will tell you when its rinsed and at 0 TDS.
Hope that helps clear the air!
Filters do need to be rinsed and housings do need to be disinfected. Failure to do sa can result in health problems or shortened filter life or both. It only takes a few minutes and is worth the time.
