Funny TDS Readings

[Squatch]

I have a new RO/DI unit for about 3 weeks.

I have made roughly 80 gal of water.

1st 40 gal - 6 ppm TDS

2nd 20 gal about 60 ppm TDS

3rd 20 gal about 150 TDS

Whats wrong with my unit.

I am on well water but have a booster pump up to 80 psi.

Surely I don't need new filters already.

What could be the problem, or is this normal?

[jtremblay]

What's the TDS of your well water? You could be getting some nasty run-off into it ...

But ... have you tried testing with a different TDS meter?

[Squatch]

My well water is somewhere around 100 as I already have a 5 micron prefiler for my whole hose UV.

Is it possible to have some salt residue from mixing in my containers.

Strange as I rinse them out with fresh water after a water change

Mystery?

[Mike]

I've got a TDS meter you can use to double check your readings, if you can wait until next week sometime. I'm not sure about the calibration if it, either, but it seems pretty close. I get 0 - 1 ppm on my RO, and around 150-200 on my tap.

[ruuskystar]

What kind of RO do you have and what is it rated to produce? If you've only had it for a few weeks there's no way you should have to change the filters already.

I could be your tds meter as people are suggesting.

good luck.

[Squatch]

I got the one of ebay - Aquasafe 75gpd.

Just made a couple gallons today and it is reading tds of 60 ppm.

I may be getting some run off in my well this time of year. It is off the range of my tds meter. It is 1000+

Nitrates are low in the freshly made water.

Will it be OK to use?

[ajx22]

You only want 5-10 ppm of TDS at MAX

I would consider adding an array of sediment filters BEFORE your unit to prevent damage.

I would use an array of 3 or 4 sediment filters...slowly getting smaller then entering the RO unit.

4-Stage example:

25-micron sediment
10-micron sediment
5-micron sediment
1-micron sediment

then into your RO.

I would also replace the sediment and carbon stages before further use.

[wsg55]

I have some calibration fluid if needed I think I can check as well as distilled water=0

[jtremblay]

1000 TDS? Gadzooks!

Have you tried flushing your RO membrane? It's probably taking quite a beating. I think the regular suggestion is once a monce for regular city water. You might need to do weekly ...

Just something to try.

Jason

[reefman99]

Hi Squatch;

Did you say that you are mixing your salt water in the same container that you are collecting your RO/DI water in (The residue you mention). If so, did you try a diff. / fresh container for the RO/DI and measure again??

[wsg55]

This is the 5 stage ro unit? or how many cartridges?

[Squatch]

It is a 6 stage unit.
I flush the membrane for a few minutes before I use it.

I don't remember having a problem when the snow was still here.
I'm sure i was getting about 250 ppm. at the tap when I first hooked it up.
Now that it has melted I think I have alot of run off in my well.

I just made 20 gal fresh today in a different container.
It is 60 ppm TDS.

I have a water cooler with spring water that is 30 ppm.

My tap water is off the scale. My TDS meter only goes to 1000.

[wsg55]

I have the same problem with my well and ground water but that is what the prefilters are removing but if you get a smell to your water at all you might need to disinfect your system I do a couple times a year but pull your membrane first not sure what meter you are using but if bottled water is reading 30 and yours is 60 I don't think I would panic just think about your tap water you are not putting in your tank Like I said if you need some calibration fluid or need a meter to check yours I should have both, Since this is a new unit you should contact the seller since the tds should be under 10

[Squatch]

Confirmed

WATER AT TAP - 1800 ppm TDS

R/O water 60 ppm TDS and climbing. after approx 100gals throughput.

Thanks - wsg55

Have contacted the company I bought the unit from
and awaiting reply.

Still performing more tests.
I will change sediment filters and see what happens.

Thanks
Rob

[Mckitrick]

1800? That's insane. Generally 600 is considered Toxic.

Is it possible with the melting snow that some salt got into your well, perhaps driveway/road type salt.

Saltwater is off the scale with TDS meters.

[jastonataquapro]

1800 is darned high alright. At that TDS, you may just need replacing already.

Try this:
- take a TDS reading in a paper cup so there's no contamination of other sources. Do this for every stage of the filtering process if you can, remember that something maybe adding to your readings. A hosed RO membrane can start to add things back into water (so I read).
- add sediment filters or more pre filters to the unit
- ensure you flush regularily
- Aquasafe uses Coconut GAC carbon, many people say this GACs pores are too small to effectively filter liquid sources. Try buying a different carbon pre filter. http://www.hallman.org/filter/carbon.html and many other sources point this out.

[ajx22]

Keep in mind - that as jastonataquapro just pointed out...

These filters are NOT designed to be used in a reef tank. They do NOT use the proper filter media - nor the proper micron ratings in their units. They also have some metal/brass fittings on some of their units (that have the drinking water kits).

It is very important to have the correct components in your filter...no matter how many stages it is. You could have a 12-stage unit that is crap compared to a properly made 4-stage one.

It's all about what is inside that counts.

As stated...replace your filter cartridges with the proper replacements - and strongly consider adding the prefiltration section that I initially suggested. Flush your RO membrane for 30 minutes or so...to try to clear it from debris. Unfortunately - you may need to replace the RO membrane to (if it got fouled).

AquariumPros.ca has the correct filter replacements in our shopping cart should you want to replace them.

Contact me directly should you wish to discuss the additional prefilter stages I mentioned.

Good luck...

[jtremblay]

AJ,

Why not put together a replacement package of pre-filters and DI cartridges? Unless I missed something, you only have the installation hardware + complete kits for sale.

Come to think of it ... didn't you also have drinking water kits online?

Jason

[ajx22]

Originally posted by jtremblay
AJ,

Why not put together a replacement package of pre-filters and DI cartridges? Unless I missed something, you only have the installation hardware + complete kits for sale.

Come to think of it ... didn't you also have drinking water kits online?

Jason

Jason,

All the individal filters are listed on the site:
* Equipment & Drygoods
* RO-DI Filters & Accessories
* RO-DI Parts & Accessories
* Housings & Cartridges

http://www.aquariumpros.ca/x-cart/customer/home.php?cat=23

I can also get other micron ratings for each of the Sediment/Carbon filters - as well as the GAC-types too. They are just not listed to prevent confusion into what to order.

I used to have the complete drinking water kits listed....but little to no interest was ever shown - so I just don't have them listed on the site. I can still add them to any order...or sell them independantly - just didn't bother to list them this time around in the cart. (each item listed takes a bit of time to set-up - so it was a time saving factor as I have sold very few of them over the past 4-years).

[jtremblay]

I could've sworn I went through everything ;)

It's coming up on time to replace the pre-filters on my AquaSafe unit. Which 3 would you reccomend?

[ajx22]

Originally posted by jtremblay
I could've sworn I went through everything ;)

It's coming up on time to replace the pre-filters on my AquaSafe unit. Which 3 would you reccomend?

1-micron Sediment Filter (http://www.aquariumpros.ca/x-cart/customer/product.php?productid=29&cat=23&page=1)

2-micron Carbon Filter (http://www.aquariumpros.ca/x-cart/customer/product.php?productid=30&cat=23&page=1)


DI Resin Cartridge Replacement (http://www.aquariumpros.ca/x-cart/customer/product.php?productid=42&cat=23&page=1)

And if you need the RO Membrane:
Reverse Osmosis TFC Membrane (http://www.aquariumpros.ca/x-cart/customer/product.php?productid=31&cat=23&page=1)
...But make sure that you order the same as your existing unit - or order the proper rated TFC Membrane Flow Restrictor - Capillary Tube Restrictor (http://www.aquariumpros.ca/x-cart/customer/product.php?productid=65&cat=23&page=1) to make it the desired rate.

[Squatch]

Thanks for the replies.

A quote from The seller I bought the unit from.

" The system...even with the pump...might get a 90% reduction...say from 1800 to 180+/-....the DI filters are good for 500 gallons at 10 tds of RO water..250 gallons at 20TDS and about 100 gallons at 50 TDS...

Now...all of this is not an exact science, however, if you got 100 gals+ from the DI...it would suggest your post RO water is around 50 (please check it and let me know)

If that is the case then we are getting a 97% reduction which, for 1800 TDS, is incredible!!! "

Any comments?

I am going to probably use up the filters I have first and then replace them with better ones. ( I have a whole case) I will just have to change them out more often for now.

AJ, I will keep you in mind for future replacement.
Do you keep stock or order on demand?

Thanks
Rob

[Mckitrick]

I'll be happy to buy your case of Aquasafe Canada replacement filters.
Let me know what you have and what you want for them.

[ajx22]

Originally posted by Squatch


AJ, I will keep you in mind for future replacement.
Do you keep stock or order on demand?

Thanks
Rob

I normally have all the filters in-stock here...and my supplier is local...so getting them is only a 24-hour wait.

All the filters listed in the shopping cart (ie. micron ratings) are the ones I keep in stock (Sediment @ 1-micron, Carbon Block @ 2-micron, TFC membranes @ 50 & 100GPD, DI Resins - mixed-bed).

You may still want to consider the pre-prefiltration stages - or you risk fouling your TFC membrane & exhausting your DI resins at a MUCH faster rate (ie. every 3-4 months MAX for the RO - and likely a monthly replacement of the DI - based on the levels you have reported).

Another option would be to add in 20" housings for the Sediment and Carbon stages - this would give you twice the filtration as a standard 10" housing. I run 20" housings & prefilters on my unit.

http://www.aquariumpros.ca/userfiles/tank-oct-03/rodi-unit.jpg

Best regards,

[Squatch]

This is driving me crazy.

I tested my water before the water softener and it reads about 975 ppm tds.
The water after the softener is 1800 ppm tds.

That means the watrer softener is adding crap to my water and clogging up my filters.

Should I get my water before the softener to supply the r/o unit?

Thanks
Rob

[Chrismo]

Ya, I've read of a lot of people who say that last stage is useless for reef tanks.. The one that says "for tast". Get rid of it.

[jastonataquapro]

Yes water softeners use salt, it's adding TDS to your water alright. Connect your RODI before the softener. Use pre filters like AJ said, your RO membrane may be hosed at this point and so I would consider it as requiring replacement.

[simoncoul]

I got a question what do u do with all the water waste do u just send it down the drain because that is a huge waste.

[Squatch]

Yes, it's going down the drain and then back into the ground and
then back into the well where it came from. A complete circle.
What else would I do with it?