ro/di unit (1 Viewer)

[Linda]

I just purchased a ro/di unit, used off of ebay but only 6 months old...I am using it for the first time...Is this correct? It has been running now for about 30 minutes and I only have 1/2 of a 3 gallon bucket full of good water...the majority coming out is from the waste line....isn't this going to get real expensive? Wouldn't it be cheaper to buy water from one of those windmill water places out in parking lots? Help me please? Thanks.

 

[alstang1]

I watched Vic do his, and he has the same situation going on. It, aparently is how it works. It took a few hours to fill his 20 gal tank with water.

Hope you did not pay to much. There is a brand new one on Ebay right now 110 GPD with 5 stage, gauges, ect ect, and it is $75 or buy it now $90.

If you decide not to keey yours, send me a pm with a price.

Al

 

[robrog]

You will definitely have a lot more waste water than ro/di water. Could be a 4/1 ratio or even more. 3 gallons per hour would be 72 gallons per day. So if you have a 75 gpd unit, that is about right. But that can also be variable depending on water pressure and temperature. It does sound like it is working properly though. As far as cost, it depends on how you are billed for water usage and how much water you will need each month so it is hard to say what might be cheaper for you.

 

[Linda]

Thanks...I know I got a good deal on the unit...and it appears that it is working right....I'm in Houston so we are billed for usage...Guess I will watch my water bill for a month and see which works out better. I just never realized how much waste water there would be...Thanks for your replies...and Al, I will let you know if it turns out the unit is not the right way to go

 

[Brad]

Linda, Collect your waste water and use it to water your flower beds or yard. I got a long waste line from HD and just run it straight out the door to the beds. That way I don't feel so bad.

 

[Guest]

Also, since it was a used unit, are the filters new or were they dry when you got it? If they are new then thats great, but if they were used and dry when you got it then the filters need replacing. You might want to check with Buckeye field supply.

 

[Linda]

Thanks Brad.....I think that is what I will do....I've made a couple of runs to get water at 9pm or so when I did not plan well enough ahead to top off my water and those aren't really fun....

 

[Linda]

They were new....The unit itself is only about 6 months old and he had only used it about 4 of those months. But can you remind me? How long do the membranes usually last? Thanks Vic.

 

[Guest]

Don't quote me but if I remember correctly they are said to last a few years if properly maintained. The sedement filters can be washed out a few times before having to replace them. I can't remember on the carbon filter. The DI you replace when the media is spent, on mine it changes color. It helps alot if you have a TDS meter to check your water.

 

[Linda]

Ok...and what is that??? Or do I just look for a TDS meter? I remember reading about a meter to check the water parameters from a unit but can you remind me please? I think I saw you at Kenny's last week...were you there?

 

[Guest]

Check buckeye field supply. Im' not sure, I was there friday afternoon.

 

[Guest]

This is off of the Buckeye field supply web site.

"Hanna TDS1 meter
Check the function of your RO membrane and DI resin with this handy TDS (total dissolved solids) meter by Hanna. Includes batteries. Comes precalibrated. May be recalibrated with 800 ppm solution. "

 

[Linda]

Thanks...I will check into it....You had a fire in your car? I was standing right beside you when you were talking to Kenny in the back.....Nice to meet you, if that was you. Thanks for your help...

 

[Guest]

Yup that was me. Don't ask about the car I've been having really bad luck lately.

 

[Linda]

It will turn around soon....Hang in there...

 

[Guest]

Yeah I Know, But the up side to this is that I might be getting the 100 gallon tank that I've been wanting this weekend. Since I had to tear down my tank and don't have any coral left in the tank I figured I might as well upgrade.

 

[Linda]

Oh man...now I am jealous....I don't even have my 55 full yet and I want a bigger tank......all I want to do is drive around to all the lfs and look and buy and look and buy....who cares about groceries and the house payment? lol

 

[Guest]

Well I upgraded to a 55 about 4 months ago because I couldn't add a frag in my 29 and when I put everything in the 55 I realized I was going to need an even bigger tank. I liked the length of the 55 but the 13" depth really didn't give me many options for coral placement. I figure with the 100 I have the best of both worlds. I might get a 90 if I can find one by this weekend.

 

[Linda]

I am so jealous.....I went by Kenny's this afternoon and he has some cool new stuff....

 

[Guest]

Hey Linda,
If the Membrane in the unit got wet, then dry.. its shot.

Also, my filter carts only last about ... 9 months Im going to start replacing mine at 6 months as they start cruddin out by then.

TDS meter, check buckeye's price. I purchased this one online from watts premier http://www.premierh2o.com/watts/showdetl.cfm?&DID=15&Product_ID=47&CATID=1 It used to only be 29 bucks..

Further, I had a local guy come out and install my ro/di stuff under the sink along with a pressure boosting pump, a 3 gallon tank and a little spicket at the sink (for use with coffee or whatever) His name is Ernesto and his company is Rainbow Water Supply. He can also hook you up with a BIG resin canister that you rent from him, usually lasts a year or more for the DI part, and then he comes and exchanges it when it's exhausted. 281-874-9736, if anyone is interested.

also, if you have a seperate DI canister, its pretty simple to place a valve BETWEEN the ro part and the di part, so that you can TDS each seperately. Dont NOT get a tds meter, it's needed, it's gonna let you know your carts are crashing before your tank does.

Past that, Im glad all my tanks are in my office... THEY cover the water.. glad they havent complained