How do you work a RO unit?

[fishfreak1242]

I just bought a Corallife 24 gph RO unit and set it up it seemed to work. The thing is I'm not really sure how it works. I checked the instructions and it only shows how to set it up. When I turned my faucet that I hooked up to, nothing was really turning in it or anything. Is that normal? How is it supposed to work?

 

[miaheatlvr]

Hook up s.crew on spout to highest pressure COLD water you have,, I know you are suppose to let it run for whatever your unit recommends to "break it in" You will have waste water(usually Black) fast flowing(use to water plants or drink even) and then you will have BLUE (RO water) slow but deliberate trickle.. this is the good water you store...

 

[fishfreak1242]

Originally Posted by MiaHeatLvr
Hook up s.crew on spout to highest pressure COLD water you have,, I know you are suppose to let it run for whatever your unit recommends to "break it in" You will have waste water(usually Black) fast flowing(use to water plants or drink even) and then you will have BLUE (RO water) slow but deliberate trickle.. this is the good water you store...
The speed of the water on my RO is the complete opposite. On the waste water it is a trickle and the RO water is really fast.

 

[miaheatlvr]

Originally Posted by fishfreak1242
The speed of the water on my RO is the complete opposite. On the waste water it is a trickle and the RO water is really fast.
This is incorrect, are you sure you dont have the plastic lines mixed up? It should have come for the most part pre-assembled no? The RO must come out at a slow but deliberate trickle..

 

[fishfreak1242]

Originally Posted by MiaHeatLvr
This is incorrect, are you sure you dont have the plastic lines mixed up? It should have come for the most part pre-assembled no? The RO must come out at a slow but deliberate trickle..
Im pretty sure I dont have them mixed up I just checked the manual and looked at the tubes and it says the blue line is the RO water and the Red line is the waste but when I turn it on a lot of water comes out of the blue line and a little comes out of the red.

 

[mie]

Can you post a picture of the lines? something is not right.

 

[fishfreak1242]

Heres some photos. Hope this helps!

 

[miaheatlvr]

Defective Unit?

 

[fishfreak1242]

Originally Posted by MiaHeatLvr
Defective Unit?
Im gonna test the water that comes out by mixing salt with it and putting something cheap like a snail or hermit crab and see how long it lasts. Hopefully this will tell my what is the problem.

 

[yosemite sam]

Originally Posted by fishfreak1242
Im gonna test the water that comes out by mixing salt with it and putting something cheap like a snail or hermit crab and see how long it lasts. Hopefully this will tell my what is the problem.
That won't really do anything, since the water coming out of the waste water line isn't poisonous. If you want to check the water, get a TDS meter and take a reading of the water coming out of the two lines.
Are the connections where the lines come out of the filter labeled? Is it possible the lines are reversed?

 

[m0nk]

When you first use your unit, the fresh water output will have fast flow and the waste water output will have low flow; this is normal and that water needs to be poured down the drain... this is the "break in" period. Once you start seeing the waste water speed up and go faster than the fresh water, then you can start keeping what comes out.

 

[grennan]

I have the same unit (well sort of, mine is more gpd with DI) and had a heck of a time installing the membrane. Make sure that you have it in there all the way and is seated properly. I had to push mine in with some force.
per instructions:
Symptom - High Water Production
Possible cause - Membrane not properly seated.
Note: The TFC membrane should be tightly seated inside the membrane housing. The membrane tube should extend 1/8" to 1/4" outside the membrane housing.
As for the blue (ro) and red (waste) lines. They are correctly connected.
This manufacturer instruction manual might help further...
http://www.marineandreef.com/PDF/CorROtwostage.pdf

 

[fishfreak1242]

Originally Posted by m0nk
When you first use your unit, the fresh water output will have fast flow and the waste water output will have low flow; this is normal and that water needs to be poured down the drain... this is the "break in" period. Once you start seeing the waste water speed up and go faster than the fresh water, then you can start keeping what comes out.

I think you might be right because I just got it yesterday and began to dump the water out. Thanks!

 

[dragonzim]

Check to make sure the membrane is seated properly.

 

[fishfreak1242]

Originally Posted by DragonZim
Check to make sure the membrane is seated properly.
I'm pretty sure its in correctly. I pushed it in all the way and it only sticks out a little bit.

 

[miaheatlvr]

Originally Posted by fishfreak1242
I'm pretty sure its in correctly. I pushed it in all the way and it only sticks out a little bit.
CALL coralife monday am.. they should be able to walk you through it,, Like I had to with SEACHEM..

 

[fishfreak1242]

Originally Posted by MiaHeatLvr
CALL coralife monday am.. they should be able to walk you through it,, Like I had to with SEACHEM..
They didnt give me any #s to call. I have nothing. I pushed the membrane in a little bit so that it was sticking 1/8" out and I turned the water on and there was this hissing noise coming from the waste tube. What should I do? Does anybody have their customer support #?