View Full Version : How often do you change the Filters in your RO Machine?
that Fish Guy
01/17/2014, 10:04 PM
How often do you change the Filters in your RO Machine?
leveldrummer
01/17/2014, 10:08 PM
You generally change them when they need it.
Figuring out when they need it is the tricky part.
and it all depends on your GPD rate, the amount you use the water (do you have a 400 gallon tank, or a 2 gallon pico) and most of all, how your incoming water quality is that needs to be filtered.
Generally, most people swap out the DI resin once the TDS is over 0, sediment and carbon blocks are changed out around every 6 months or so as long as your using a average amount of water for that size filter. the membrane should last a long time, and if you monitor your water pressure with a gauge, I believe the water will drop as it needs to be changed.
bellis31
01/17/2014, 10:16 PM
DI when TDS reaches 1, other filters once a year and membrane every 3 to 4 years. It really depends on your amount of TDS in. My TDS in is 200+...
that Fish Guy
01/17/2014, 10:21 PM
DI when TDS reaches 1, other filters once a year and membrane every 3 to 4 years. It really depends on your amount of TDS in. My TDS in is 200+...
When it reaches 1?
I thought people change them when they got to around 30 PPM?
I would have to spend 50.00 a week on filters because it hits 1 or more within the first week.
That is crazy expensive.
d2mini
01/17/2014, 10:25 PM
Mine goes for months before the TDS gets higher than zero after the DI.
And that's on a 350g system getting 7g of new saltwater every day.
SaltieG
01/17/2014, 10:28 PM
I have been doing this for about 5 years and in that time I have replaced the filters 2 times and the membrane 1 time, and even then my TDS was still at 0.
bellis31
01/17/2014, 10:28 PM
When it reaches 1?
I thought people change them when they got to around 30 PPM?
I would have to spend 50.00 a week on filters because it hits 1 or more within the first week.
That is crazy expensive.
I get about 4 months on my DI resin so it's not bad. I also buy DI resin in Bulk bags so I get about 4 filter changes per bag.
Do you have a pressure gauge? It sounds like you may not have enough pressure or way to much. You should be pushing between 50 and 75 for most RO/DI units. Also whats your TDS IN??
Misled
01/17/2014, 10:32 PM
When it reaches 1?
I thought people change them when they got to around 30 PPM?
I would have to spend 50.00 a week on filters because it hits 1 or more within the first week.
That is crazy expensive.
Steve, it sounds like you have something wrong. What's your TDS readings from tap and after membrane?
that Fish Guy
01/17/2014, 10:32 PM
Mine goes for months before the TDS gets higher than zero after the DI.
And that's on a 350g system getting 7g of new saltwater every day.
So you buy a new set of filters every month then?
that Fish Guy
01/17/2014, 10:33 PM
Steve, it sounds like you have something wrong. What's your TDS readings from tap and after membrane?
Tap is around 800 to 900
bellis31
01/17/2014, 10:37 PM
Tap is around 800 to 900
Wow that's some high TDS water. If nothing else is wrong with the system you should save a bunch of money buying re-fill DI resin in bulk.
Misled
01/17/2014, 10:46 PM
Tap is around 800 to 900
That's almot mud!!! Check after the membrane. Figuring a 90% rejection rate, you should be around 80. 98% will get you much lower. It may work for you to add an extra DI, but the DI should at least stay at 0 for a few hundred gallons.
atreis
01/18/2014, 06:31 AM
My TDS out of the tap is 400-450. I end up changing the filter and DI resin every 3 months, carbon block every 6 months, and the membrane every 2 years. It processes about 20 gallons a week.
downbeach
01/18/2014, 07:12 AM
The EPA advises a maximum contamination level (MCL) of 500 ppm for TDS. So, I would double check your test results for your raw water. If it is as high as you posted, you might want to start using the RO water for your drinking water, since those numbers are close to a level that would be considered unfit for human consumption.
The quality of your raw water, and the amount you use will dictate how often you should replace your filters. In my case, my raw water is around 100 TDS, so it's relatively clean. I replace my sediment filter about every three month's, my carbon block every six month's, and my DI resin, about once a year. I've had my current RO/DI unit for about 3 years, and haven't replaced the membrane yet, since I'm only getting about 1 to 2 TDS out of it.
I average about 40 gal. of RO/DI water a week between WC's and top off.
d2mini
01/18/2014, 09:43 AM
So you buy a new set of filters every month then?
No, why do you ask that?
I said monthS. Plural. As in several.
that Fish Guy
01/18/2014, 11:26 AM
The EPA advises a maximum contamination level (MCL) of 500 ppm for TDS. So, I would double check your test results for your raw water. If it is as high as you posted, you might want to start using the RO water for your drinking water, since those numbers are close to a level that would be considered unfit for human consumption.
The quality of your raw water, and the amount you use will dictate how often you should replace your filters. In my case, my raw water is around 100 TDS, so it's relatively clean. I replace my sediment filter about every three month's, my carbon block every six month's, and my DI resin, about once a year. I've had my current RO/DI unit for about 3 years, and haven't replaced the membrane yet, since I'm only getting about 1 to 2 TDS out of it.
I average about 40 gal. of RO/DI water a week between WC's and top off.
I have Well Water.
That is why it is so High.
that Fish Guy
01/18/2014, 11:26 AM
No, why do you ask that?
I said monthS. Plural. As in several.
So at what Number do you change your Filters?
phillrodrigo
01/18/2014, 01:27 PM
I do my carbon and sediment every 6 months. My di I just did at a year but was still getting 0 tds but its pretty much shot.
lokii_37
01/18/2014, 01:44 PM
My incoming water is just under 200ppm I get about 2ppm after RO and 0 after DI. My DI is about 6 months old and my RO membrane about a year. I need to get a pressure gauge so I can monitor my sediment and carbon filters but I use the 20" filters so they last a little longer.
shifty51008
01/18/2014, 01:55 PM
well water can also have high CO2 levels witch can also destroy your DI so that is something to look into also.
as for when I change my filters:
sediment - when it looks dirty
carbon - when my pressure guage starts to drop
membrane - when my TDS after membrane won't go lower than the normal 7ppm
DI - when it reaches 1ppm
I also recharge my own DI so that is something you can look into also to save money, much cheaper than always buying new.
d2mini
01/18/2014, 03:06 PM
So at what Number do you change your Filters?
Usually when my sediment filter is uber nasty looking and my water production has slowed. TDS may be 1-2 at this point.
GroktheCube
01/18/2014, 03:15 PM
Tap is around 800 to 900
Whats your TDS after RO, but before DI?
rogersb
01/18/2014, 06:26 PM
I change mine when it gets to 2ppm. We have well water also and I get atleast 6-8 months before changing. All well water is not equal and it would be hard for me to buy replacements more than every 3 months.
A few years ago I was at a lady's house and she had a different type of filtration. IIRC, there was a red and white liquid the water had to pass through and then it was ok for our tanks. I think she said it was more popular in Europe where water is more expensive and there was no waste with her system as with ro/di. It might be cheaper for you than buying new filters all the time.
Misled
01/18/2014, 06:46 PM
Kati/Ani (http://www.thefilterguys.biz/kati_ani_di-onizer.htm)
dkeller_nc
01/19/2014, 09:20 AM
Steve - If your well water is truly that high in dissolved solids, you should consider the idea of installing a whole-house water softener. That will not only make your reef tank RODI operate much better, but will also keep your high-TDS water from destroying your plumbing and hot water heater.
But - if you have a portable TDS meter, draw a couple of gallons of your tap water into a bucket, measure the TDS, then aerate it for an hour with an airstone and air pump, then re-measure your TDS. That will give you an idea of how much CO2 you have in your water.
If it's high, then you can set-up a DIY CO2 remover by putting in a trash can with a float switch (so that it automatically fills with your tap water) and aerater, then feed your RODI system with a pump.
that Fish Guy
01/19/2014, 05:21 PM
Steve - If your well water is truly that high in dissolved solids, you should consider the idea of installing a whole-house water softener. That will not only make your reef tank RODI operate much better, but will also keep your high-TDS water from destroying your plumbing and hot water heater.
But - if you have a portable TDS meter, draw a couple of gallons of your tap water into a bucket, measure the TDS, then aerate it for an hour with an airstone and air pump, then re-measure your TDS. That will give you an idea of how much CO2 you have in your water.
If it's high, then you can set-up a DIY CO2 remover by putting in a trash can with a float switch (so that it automatically fills with your tap water) and aerater, then feed your RODI system with a pump.
I have a Water Softener.
I will have to try the CO2 Trick and see the outcome.
That is a good tip.
atreis
01/20/2014, 05:16 AM
Found here (http://www.membranes.com/docs/papers/04_ro_water_chemistry.pdf): A quick way to test for CO2 in your feed water without having to replumb.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Carbon dioxide is a gas that when dissolved in water reacts with the water to form weak carbonic acid (H2CO3). If a pure water was completely saturated with carbon dioxide, its concentration would be about 1600 ppm and the pH would be about 4.0. A typical source for carbon dioxide in natural waters is the result of a balance with bicarbonate alkalinity based on the pH of the water. The concentration of carbon dioxide in water is typically indirectly determined by graphical comparison to the bicarbonate concentration and pH. Carbon dioxide and the bicarbonate ion are in a balance between the pH range of 4.4 and 8.2. The alkalinity is all carbon dioxide at pH 4.4 and is all bicarbonate at pH 8.4. The RO design program calculates the carbon dioxide level based on the bicarbonate level and pH of the water. Carbon dioxide, being a gas, is not rejected or concentrated by a RO membrane, therefore its concentration will the same in the feed, permeate and concentrate. Acidifying the RO feed water will lower pH by converting bicarbonate to carbon dioxide.
lokii_37
01/20/2014, 08:58 AM
Found here (http://www.membranes.com/docs/papers/04_ro_water_chemistry.pdf): A quick way to test for CO2 in your feed water without having to replumb.
That's how we test for CO2 levels in planted tanks.
PrangeWay
01/20/2014, 09:04 AM
Pre-filters every 4 months (5 micron sediment, 5 micron carbon, 1 micron chloromax), membrane at 2 years, DI resin when it's 4/5's color changed.
In is currently 523, out of membrane 0-1, out of di 0.
PW
1000rrstunna
07/15/2014, 11:42 PM
I have really bad well water as well it's leaving the ro at 12-15 tds and is also eating my DI super fast... Like every 150 gallons. Plus my imput pressure is like 42 psi which makes my water production super slow.... Thinking about buying a booster pump and switching my sediment filter from 5 micron to 1 micron what do you guys think? Also my tds from softened well is like 550 or more! Basically our water sucks and ruins everything
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