RO units

[Nameless]

I'm thinking I need to buy an RO unit.

I have a question first, though.

I know RO units create a ton of wastewater. Can this water be recycled through the RO unit again, or would this reduce the life of your membranes?

I'm just a little hesitant to start dumping perfectly good water down the drain...

 

[mtellin]

If you have a TDS meter you might want to check your waste water, mine is quite a bit higher than tap water to begin with so it would be somewhat wasteful to try and recycle the water since it would shorten the membrane life.

Mike

 

[mtellin]

Also, what is your water pressure at? I know if your pressure is low you get a LOT more wastewater, like mine is only 36 psi and I get way more than 1:3 or 1:4 ratio, more like 1:10

Mike

 

[Nameless]

This is a stupid question, I know, but what is a TDS meter?

 

[JohnD]

Nameless,

I stick my waste water line out the basement window and thus water the lawn. can you do the same?

The idea of saving the water for plants is also a good idea.

 

[Sea Serpent]

Hi Nameless - I, too, was concerned about the wastewater issue - what I did was buy a piggy-back unit. It was rather costly, but doubled the output, hence cutting down on the wastewater. You can find more about it at: http://www.aquadirect.com/purify/piggyinst.jpg
You will probably have to cut and paste that address into your browser, but it shows how it works. I have been much happier with the unit's output AND cutting down on the waste.
Hope this helps!
Sea Serpent

 

[mtellin]

Total Dissolved Solid, if you have an RO you may want to look into getting one, very handy to have, can help prolong RO membrane life by knowing when to change prefilter, carbon block etc, do you pay for water with your city utilities? If you dont I would definitely just let it go down the drain....or water plants...or something, just not use it in your aquarium

Mike

 

[Nameless]

I pay for water. It's good water, though, so I hate to waste it, but I guess it makes sense that the waste water kind of keeps the membrane cleaner, in a sense, because it is constantly carrying away waste. Maybe I'll start a reservoir of it and use it for plant water like you suggest.