TDS readings

[melypr1985]

i just borrowed a TDS meter from a friend and he told me that I want it to read 0. Well, my tap water reads at 256 and after the RODI it reads 9. Will this hurt my tank? does that mean that I need to replace a filter, and if so which one? I was told that you should replace them every 6 months or so. The white one should go first right? and that would turn a really nasty color. Mine is just lightly tan.

 

[rigdon87]

I was told that you should replace them every 6 months or so.

No thats not true.Your di resin is always the first to exhaust,and if your reading 9 it sounds like you need to change it.How long have you had your unit and is your resin color changing?

 

[rigdon87]

Originally Posted by melypr1985
http:///forum/post/3162132
I was told that you should replace them every 6 months or so..
No thats not true.Your di resin is always the first to exhaust,and if your reading 9 it sounds like you need to change it.How long have you had your unit and is your resin color changing?

 

[melypr1985]

Originally Posted by Rigdon87
http:///forum/post/3162136
No thats not true.Your di resin is always the first to exhaust,and if your reading 9 it sounds like you need to change it.How long have you had your unit and is your resin color changing?
i got it two months ago with brand new filters and such in it. the resin is two colors. there is blue on the bottom that is still blue, and there is a darker color at the top. Its hard to describe the color but I would say that it's a dark brown with a reddish tint maybe?

 

[aquaknight]

Originally Posted by melypr1985
http:///forum/post/3162132
i just borrowed a TDS meter from a friend and he told me that I want it to read 0. Well, my tap water reads at 256 and after the RODI it reads 9. Will this hurt my tank? does that mean that I need to replace a filter, and if so which one? I was told that you should replace them every 6 months or so. The white one should go first right? and that would turn a really nasty color. Mine is just lightly tan.
Yea, not sure which filter you're referring to, has the typical RO/DI is a 5-stage unit with 5 different filters. 3 prefilters, a 1 or 5 micron sediment filter then usually 2 carbon filters, then the RO membrane and finally the DI resin chamber.
A white filter sounds like the sediment filter (1st stage). Yes, they typically start white and quickly turn tan/brown. I have similar tap water TDS reading and I replace my prefilters yearly, along with my RO membrane. Which gets reverse-flushed every 2 months.
I replace my DI resin when TDS reads 3-4 coming out of DI. If yours is reading 9, definitely past due for new DI resin. As Rigdon asked, depending on the age of the unit, other filters might need replaced as well.

 

[aquaknight]

Originally Posted by melypr1985
http:///forum/post/3162138
i got it two months ago with brand new filters and such in it. the resin is two colors. there is blue on the bottom that is still blue, and there is a darker color at the top. Its hard to describe the color but I would say that it's a dark brown with a reddish tint maybe?
Which direction is the DI mounted, horizontally or vertically?

 

[melypr1985]

Originally Posted by AquaKnight
http:///forum/post/3162140
Yea, not sure which filter you're referring to, has the typical RO/DI is a 5-stage unit with 5 different filters. 3 prefilters, a 1 or 5 micron sediment filter then usually 2 carbon filters, then the RO membrane and finally the DI resin chamber.
A white filter sounds like the sediment filter (1st stage). Yes, they typically start white and quickly turn tan/brown. I have similar tap water TDS reading and I replace my prefilters yearly, along with my RO membrane. Which gets reverse-flushed every 2 months.
I replace my DI resin when TDS reads 3-4 coming out of DI. If yours is reading 9, definitely past due for new DI resin. As Rigdon asked, depending on the age of the unit, other filters might need replaced as well.
ok so I need to plan on replacing my filters and resin soon right? Here is a pic of my RODI it's a 4 stage unit. I dont know which is which but I'm pretty sure the dark one on the right is the DI resin. right? That's not a current pic so dont judge anything based on what the filters look like in the pic. that was two months ago. I was told when I bought it that he had just replaced all the filters and hadn't been used since.
Its a Kent Marine Maxxima 60 GPD unit. If I'm replacing the filters do I have to find the exact filters that belong to the unit or can I just pic any replacement?

 

[rigdon87]

Yes the cartridge too the far right is the di.do you know how long he had it before he sold it to you?and you said he replaced all the filters 2 months ago right?

 

[bmkj02]

If I am correct the DI filter should be after all the filters. If not it gets depleated quickly. Needs to go through Sediment filter, carbon and then the membrane and then the DI. Looks like its misplaced to me. I think this is a 4 stage RO unit not an RODI as the DI should probably be in a seperate stage compartment. Usually the DI stage should last you 8-12 months depending on usage and the other filter every 6 months and membrane 2-3 years. I bought mine brand new and that is the way its set up and the other ones I see are set up the same. 9 is high for a tank as I changed mine when it hit 4 after 7 months. I go through 20 gallons a week and thats for evaporation water/top off.

 

[melypr1985]

Originally Posted by Rigdon87
http:///forum/post/3162149
Yes the cartridge too the far right is the di.do you know how long he had it before he sold it to you?and you said he replaced all the filters 2 months ago right?
i'm not sure. he bought it brand new and gave it to my friend who sold it to me. (the original owner didn't speak english) My friend said he replaced the filters when he got it and never used it (he already had one).
I know this is a RODI 4 stage unit.
Kent Marine Maxxima Hi-S RO/DI Systems
Maxxima Hi-S:
•4 stage RO/DI unit with clear canisters
•Hi-S High Silicate Removal membrane
•1 micron sediment filter
•Solid block carbon prefilter
•High Silicate removal dual stage deionization cartridge that color indicates as the resin exhausts
•Also includes a 3/4 inch garden hose adapter and 6 feet of yellow, blue and orange tubing
Item # Description Price
KM1433 Kent Marine Hi-S Maxxima 60 GPD RO/DI System $309.99
that's the exact one from the website he bought it from. Do the filters have to be replaced with kent marine filters or can I replace them with a different brand? or is there a better brand to replace with?

 

[bmkj02]

They should be a standard 10" filter which you can pick up at ur LFS or even Lowes or HD except for the DI resin. If they are not the 10" then you might have to stick with that brand. You can check out Bulk Reek Supply as they are pretty good on prices.

 

[melypr1985]

ok.... they are the 10 inch filters. I'm pretty sure my LFS sells the resin refills for a good price.
So, will this 9tds hurt anything? should I drain all that water and rinse out the containers with viniger? I wont be able to replace anything until this weekend and i need that water to top off with. plus I already made like 25 gallons of saltwater. I would hate to waste all that money and water! ugh.

 

[nycbob]

Originally Posted by melypr1985
http:///forum/post/3162397
ok.... they are the 10 inch filters. I'm pretty sure my LFS sells the resin refills for a good price.
So, will this 9tds hurt anything? should I drain all that water and rinse out the containers with viniger? I wont be able to replace anything until this weekend and i need that water to top off with. plus I already made like 25 gallons of saltwater. I would hate to waste all that money and water! ugh.
9 isnt horrible. try to aim for 0-3.

 

[melypr1985]

ok, so i'm being told by my local club members that i need to flush my system. I dont know what that means. they said there is a flush valve on some units but mine doesn't have one. they told me that i should just leave it running for several hours. But that's what i do to fill my water jugs. Am I supposed to do this after I replace my filters and resin? how long until I can use the water after the filters are replaced?

 

[bmkj02]

I have heard mixed reviews on flushing your system. They say to do it to longer the life of the membrane but then I also heard it can damage it. I never used it. Go to Bulk Reef Supply and they have them for sale there and a description. Like you said letting it run is the same thing as using it to fill your jugs. It will just depleat it faster.
Rising it out with vinigar wont make a difference. Either use it for now till the new filters come in or pay 35 cents a gallon and go to the supermarket and use their rodi water refill station for now

 

[melypr1985]

alright. thanks for all the help!