RO system Advice

[bang guy]

No. The buffer thing is one of the top myths in saltwater.

If the Alkalinity level in your system is low then by all means add some buffer to your topoff water. Never add buffer to the water you're going to use to make saltwater. But if Alkalinity is not low then adding buffer can only harm your tank.

 

[snakeblitz33]

I second what bang said.

 

[2quills]

I live where my water is controlled by a mud district and they don't have a website so I'm not sure how to find out if there are chlorine new in my water or not and how to get the water breakdown of what's in it.
Municipality Utility District. There should be a municipal site somewhere. I did a search on Harris county for kicks and located their latest report and it looks like they're using chlorine and the range of which it was found over the last year was 1.3 - 2.9 ppm (might as well drink pool water). You could always call your municipality and ask if you're not sure.

 

[clownsrcoo]

Ok so I have verified that no chloramines are added to my water. I have to have 65psi worth of water pressure for that unit to function since I have 2 membranes so the water company is testing my pressure today and letting me know the results. Hopefully I am in that range so I don't have to buy a booster pump.
And my description of my RO system was accurate in that it is a 75gpd membrane that has a rejection rate of 98% per BRS' website specs.
It's a Dow Filmtec "75 GPD MEMBRANE (98% REJECTION RATE) Hands down the best membrane for our hobby." And I'll have two of them.
So since I don't have Chloramines in my water I will use the standard carbon block filters I bought with it until they go bad then prob upgrade to the ones you suggested.
If my tests on my water pressure come back lower than 65psi is there anything I can do to boost the pressure besides the booster pump option? I really don't have another $250 to spend on that right now since I've already purchased everything for a brand new tank startup.

 

[snakeblitz33]

There are cheaper booster pumps online if you look, like air water ice.

My water pressure in my trailer is 65psi... I'm pretty sure you'll get better.

 

[2quills]

The booster pump kits that BRS uses are only $150.

 

[clownsrcoo]

They left a message saying the static pressure is 55psi and working pressure is 48 psi

 

[bang guy]

My vote is to try it without a booster and carefully measure waste vs product as well as TDS out of the RO (before the DI!!!!!)

If you can keep the water from the tap warm (room temp) before it gets to the RO membrane that can make up for a bit of the lower pressure. Since you're in Texas that shouldn't be a big issue

 

[snakeblitz33]

Or you could choose to run just one membrane.

 

[clownsrcoo]

Yeh I think I'm just going to take the second membrane off and return it.
Thanks for the advice all,

 

[clownsrcoo]

Hey guys i know this is off topic but since you all are asnwering questions for me pretty quickly i have another one. My heater came in today and looks like its a little too long for my sump and wont be below the water line. Can i place my heater inside my overflow? Has anyone ever done that?
That way i can still keep it submerged and out of sight?

 

[2quills]

Heaters should be in a place with good circulation. I don't know if puting it in the overflow is a good idea or not. Something is telling me not. You talking about a vertical style internal overflow?

 

[clownsrcoo]

Yes it's a tall vertical style overflow.

 

[2quills]

Have you considered taking it back for two smaller ones? Some folks recommend that route any how.

 

[clownsrcoo]

Yes I have. I hope you guys can remember how much money it takes to start these set ups and it's def taking a toll on me. So I'd rather make this one work if I can so I don't have to pay shipping back and forth again.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Just get it in a high flow area...
Salt tanks are very expensive. That is why there is so much planning and designing done.