Up Grade Spectrapure RODI

Coronus · Jul 12, 2020

Hello,
I have a Spectrapure Max Cap 90 GPD RODI set up. I want to increase the water production. I have good water pressure at around 65-70psi. It takes me 10 min to make 1 gallon of product water. (too long IMO)
I was going to get a piggy back membrane which I believe will turn this set up into a roughly 180GPD set up. But was also thinking of getting a booster pump as well. Just not sure if I should with the PSI I am currently getting at 65-70. I understand I may not need one but I would like to make water much faster.
Looking for suggestions to upgrade this unit up.

01xp · Jul 12, 2020

Check out my thread. I started with a 75gpd system and put a booster pump and 3 ro membrane in series https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/3-ro-membrane.734697/

JoshH · Jul 12, 2020

Coronus said:
Hello,
I have a Spectrapure Max Cap 90 GPD RODI set up. I want to increase the water production. I have good water pressure at around 65-70psi. It takes me 10 min to make 1 gallon of product water. (too long IMO)
I was going to get a piggy back membrane which I believe will turn this set up into a roughly 180GPD set up. But was also thinking of getting a booster pump as well. Just not sure if I should with the PSI I am currently getting at 65-70. I understand I may not need one but I would like to make water much faster.
Looking for suggestions to upgrade this unit up.

Get a booster pump. I have the exact setup you are looking to put together with 95-100 PSI going into my first membrane and only 45 going into the second which is just barely acceptable for membrane performance. With your PSI your second membrane will definitely not be getting enough pressure unless you run them in parallel but then your not saving any water. It will double your production if that's your sole goal however and don't mind producing twice the waste.

Coronus · Jul 12, 2020

JoshH said:
Get a booster pump. I have the exact setup you are looking to put together with 95-100 PSI going into my first membrane and only 45 going into the second which is just barely acceptable for membrane performance. With your PSI your second membrane will definitely not be getting enough pressure unless you run them in parallel but then your not saving any water. It will double your production if that's your sole goal however and don't mind producing twice the waste.

I didnt consider the fact with out a booster pump I might not have enough pressure for the 2nd membrane. Isent 90-100 really high and possibly detrimental?

Coronus · Jul 12, 2020

01xp said:
Check out my thread. I started with a 75gpd system and put a booster pump and 3 ro membrane in series https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/3-ro-membrane.734697/

Wow pretty cool! Why did you get the booster pump originally?

JoshH · Jul 12, 2020

Coronus said:
I didnt consider the fact with out a booster pump I might not have enough pressure for the 2nd membrane. Isent 90-100 really high and possibly detrimental?

Not really detrimental, just the fittings aren't rated for anything much higher lol it usually sits around 97 PSI and without it I'm honestly not sure I'd run a second membrane. I've even toyed around with the idea of adding a booster between the two membranes but haven't gotten around to it yet.

Coronus · Jul 12, 2020

What size Booster pump are you using? Aquatec 8900. 8852?

Coronus · Jul 12, 2020

Also what was your psi prior to the booster pump and 2nd membrane?

infinite0180 · Jul 12, 2020

Following along, im in the same position as the OP

stacksoner · Jul 12, 2020

Yikes. You should be producing a nice stream of rodi water like the way #1 flows when you use the restroom after a long movie and a large soda. How long does it take you to fill a 5 gallon bucket w RODI?

JoshH · Jul 12, 2020

@Coronus If my math is correct you are already producing 144 Gallons Per Day on a 90GPD Membrane, that's not fast enough?

01xp · Jul 12, 2020

With the setup I have I run 85psi into the first then just let the pressure run the other 2. I produce 5 gallons of 0tds water in about 35min with less than 3 gallon waste. It just so happens that my girlfriend has a 3 gallon water can for her flowers lol. After 3 membranes that's very good water for her plants and goldfish

01xp · Jul 12, 2020

Coronus said:
Wow pretty cool! Why did you get the booster pump originally?

My house water pressure is only 45 psi

JoshH · Jul 12, 2020

01xp said:
With the setup I have I run 85psi into the first then just let the pressure run the other 2. I produce 5 gallons of 0tds water in about 35min with less than 3 gallon waste. It just so happens that my girlfriend has a 3 gallon water can for her flowers lol. After 3 membranes that's very good water for her plants and goldfish

Have you checked the pressure and TDS after each membrane?

01xp · Jul 12, 2020

Coronus said:
What size Booster pump are you using? Aquatec 8900. 8852?

I'm using a aquatec 8800

01xp · Jul 12, 2020

1st- 4tds
2nd-6tds
3rd-6tds

Opus · Jul 12, 2020

JoshH said:
Not really detrimental, just the fittings aren't rated for anything much higher lol it usually sits around 97 PSI and without it I'm honestly not sure I'd run a second membrane. I've even toyed around with the idea of adding a booster between the two membranes but haven't gotten around to it yet.

I thought I had read that the john guest fittings were only good up to 80psi. I just checked the john guest site and they say they are rated up to 160psi.

JoshH · Jul 12, 2020

Opus said:
I thought I had read that the john guest fittings were only good up to 80psi. I just checked the john guest site and they say they are rated up to 160psi.

I think the Murlok fittings are rated for less and I'm not sure about the actual membrane and filter housings though.

Opus · Jul 12, 2020

JoshH said:
I think the Murlok fittings are rated for less and I'm not sure about the actual membrane and filter housings though.

According to their site, they are rated at 150psi at 70 degrees

Opus · Jul 12, 2020

Coronus said:
Hello,
I have a Spectrapure Max Cap 90 GPD RODI set up. I want to increase the water production. I have good water pressure at around 65-70psi. It takes me 10 min to make 1 gallon of product water. (too long IMO)
I was going to get a piggy back membrane which I believe will turn this set up into a roughly 180GPD set up. But was also thinking of getting a booster pump as well. Just not sure if I should with the PSI I am currently getting at 65-70. I understand I may not need one but I would like to make water much faster.
Looking for suggestions to upgrade this unit up.

Just realize you are pushing all the bad stuff the first membrane rejected to the second membrane. This will shorten the life of the second membrane. By how much, who knows. It may be a few months or a few years.