coral life RO unit ?'s

[xsdbs]

I got home from an out of town funeral yesterday and thought I would get ready for a water change here in the next few days. First thing I wanted to get out of the way was to replace my filters in the RO unit. I did this and then set up for the water for the change. With the water turned on I get water thru the clean line ( my blue tube ) I used to get about a 2:1 output thru the waste line ( my red tube ). Now the only output I get is on the clean line. The problem is that I naturally did not check the water output before changing my filters. The water flows so I would not think that there was a problem with the filters. Any hints for this issue will be appreciated very much.

 

[Amphiprion]

Something isn't setup or installed properly. You must get wastewater to get pure water--you are basically using tap water. Take the membrane out, make sure it is seated, and try again.

 

[xsdbs]

Something isn't setup or installed properly. You must get wastewater to get pure water--you are basically using tap water. Take the membrane out, make sure it is seated, and try again.

ok, so I changed only the 2 filters in the clear containers. I just called my lfs and was told that there is another filter in the white capsule that probably needs to be changed out but he said that those filters are usually good for a year and I don't think that my system is that old. He said this part is about $50 - $60. Do you know if this is about right? ( almost 1/2 the price of the system )

 

[Amphiprion]

Only a TDS meter will be able to confirm membrane performance for sure. It would really benefit you to check one of these out. As far as how long the membrane lasts, that will vary on incoming water quality--mine have lasted as long as 4 years without needing to be changed. Check that white capsule and make sure the membrane is fully seated (give it a good push to make sure it is in there). Turn on the unit again and make sure you are getting wastewater.

 

[xsdbs]

Only a TDS meter will be able to confirm membrane performance for sure. It would really benefit you to check one of these out. As far as how long the membrane lasts, that will vary on incoming water quality--mine have lasted as long as 4 years without needing to be changed. Check that white capsule and make sure the membrane is fully seated (give it a good push to make sure it is in there). Turn on the unit again and make sure you are getting wastewater.

Thanks, I'll have to wait till I get home to check it out a little more.
I tried to blow back thru the waste line but I was only able to turn myself red in the face. Perhaps a dumb question, how does this membrane actually work? I mean how does it separate the waste and good water? Thanks again for the help.

 

[Amphiprion]

It is essentially a molecular filter. Imagine the pressure of the water forcing water molecules past a semi-permeable membrane--but not much else. These water molecules go from an area of lower concentration to higher concentration, hence the reverse part (it naturally wants to go in the opposite direction, but pressure prevents this). Basically whatever portion is left that doesn't permeate quickly enough gets pushed out--this water has a higher concentration of dissolved solids. This is where waste and product water get separated--one part simply doesn't pass through the membrane.

 

[xsdbs]

It is essentially a molecular filter. Imagine the pressure of the water forcing water molecules past a semi-permeable membrane--but not much else. These water molecules go from an area of lower concentration to higher concentration, hence the reverse part (it naturally wants to go in the opposite direction, but pressure prevents this). Basically whatever portion is left that doesn't permeate quickly enough gets pushed out--this water has a higher concentration of dissolved solids. This is where waste and product water get separated--one part simply doesn't pass through the membrane.

Thanks, I appreciate the schooling. I guess I just didn't have enough pressure to blow thru the tube via my mouth.

 

[fsn77]

Generally, the RO membrane lasts far longer than a single year (3 - 5 years is much more common). It will, of course, depend on the TDS of the incoming water. A replacement RO membrane (if / when you need one) can be ordered online for < $50 (US) from places like Air, Water & Ice or The Filter Guys (as well as replacement filter cartridges).

Do you know where the flow restrictor is on your RO unit? Some units have them built in to the output on the RO membrane's housing, while others have one installed in-line just after the RO membrane housing. It could potentially clog and may need cleaned, although it's not a common problem.

 

[xsdbs]

Generally, the RO membrane lasts far longer than a single year (3 - 5 years is much more common). It will, of course, depend on the TDS of the incoming water. A replacement RO membrane (if / when you need one) can be ordered online for < $50 (US) from places like Air, Water & Ice or The Filter Guys (as well as replacement filter cartridges).

Do you know where the flow restrictor is on your RO unit? Some units have them built in to the output on the RO membrane's housing, while others have one installed in-line just after the RO membrane housing. It could potentially clog and may need cleaned, although it's not a common problem.

Thanks, I am not sure about a restrictor vavle so I will need to look when I get home tonight.

 

[Amphiprion]

I don't recall where the flow restrictor is located on the coralife units. I used one of these units in the past, but I don't think I ever looked for it. The units themselves are ok, but the stock filters, membrane, and resin are sub-par, IMHO.