RO unit coming, need advice

[DongShenYin]

Ok guys, I finally broke down and bought a RO unit from Aquatic Reef Systems. (For less than my bugeted $150, yay!) It's due here on Thursday. I'm going to use a faucet adaptor and hook it up to a sink. The Hannah TDS meter reads 46 for my water... since I have a 7g nano and don't plan on using the RO unit for anything else, how often do you guys think I should change the filters? Once a year? With the TDS so low, do I need a DI unit? I assume the RO unit will come with instructions, but any tips on what and what not to do? Thanks

 

[Mantis806]

i have no DI unit and my RO water reads zero on the TDS meter.

 

[DongShenYin]

How long have you had it?

 

[House of Laughter]

DSY,

You should only change your filters when your TDS readings are out of an acceptable range - if you ask them at ARS, they'll tell you the same thing.

I am getting a reading of 5 on my TDS and my filters were over a year old (15 months) I changed them anyway but was not having any problems with algea etc.

My water from tap reads 277.

House

 

[DongShenYin]

What's the acceptable range?

 

[House of Laughter]

That's your choice - I think under 10 is acceptable given your reading of 46 - but it's a personal comfort zone in my opinion.

When I spoke to the guys at ARS, they said my filters reading at 5 could last another 6 months. For the 50 or so dollars, it was worth replacing.

And happy new year

House

 

[DongShenYin]

Gung Hei Fat Choi :-D

 

[Unresistible Blue]

Originally posted by House of Laughter:
DSY,

You should only change your filters when your TDS readings are out of an acceptable range...

Well, that depends upon which filter you are referring to.

Reasonable rule of thumb on the sediment filter and carbon block is 6 months. If you want to maximize the useable life of each, understand the chlorine capacity on your carbon block, and use a pressure gauge to determine when one/both of these filters are clogged.

Your RO membrane should last for 1 to 3 years or more. Monitor its performance (pre DI) with a tds meter, and watch how much water it puts out. Climbing tds and reduced output are signs a membrane needs to be replaced.

Climbing tds (post DI) is the indicator your resin is exhausted.

Blue