Plantsman89 Posted July 9, 2018 Report Share Posted July 9, 2018 Being as we've had little rain and none in the forecast for the next three weeks at least I've just bought an RO system with a DI filter. Having read other threads on here I see there's a few people with them and I'd like to pick your brains about getting the best out of it. Any helpful hints and tips would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunc Posted July 12, 2018 Report Share Posted July 12, 2018 Get taps for the RO and waste outlets so once strarted you can keep water inside the system to keep the RO unit wet. Always do a few mins flush each time you use it. Use tds meter to keep an eye on performance - you'll get a better idea when filters need changing. Don't expect it to be quick!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plantsman89 Posted July 12, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2018 (edited) Thanks, will do There's a kit available for the system I have to put a second RO membrane on the waste water outlet to increase the water output and decrease waste. Would that be worth doing? Edited July 12, 2018 by Plantsman89 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunc Posted July 13, 2018 Report Share Posted July 13, 2018 Not sure as never thought of that! My 'waste' water is around 450 tds so just collect it in a watering can and use on the garden as its been so dry. If I was to guess then I'd probably say it's not worth it. If I was buying again I'd probably go for a unit with a higher output as I only got a 75 l per day job. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plantsman89 Posted July 13, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2018 Something to think about, I'll see how it goes. I might give it a try anyway and report back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deltatango301 Posted July 13, 2018 Report Share Posted July 13, 2018 Make sure it has a Di filter sometimes you have to buy as a extra check out this link 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plantsman89 Posted July 13, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2018 4 hours ago, Deltatango301 said: Make sure it has a Di filter sometimes you have to buy as a extra check out this link I made sure it had a DI filter when I bought it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenofeden Posted July 17, 2018 Report Share Posted July 17, 2018 DI not required IMO, I get 9ppm TDS without one on a basic 3 stage. Adding another membrane increases the pure water to waste ratio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blocky71 Posted July 17, 2018 Report Share Posted July 17, 2018 What's your tap water tds though Stephen?, I'm guessing some of us need that 4th stage.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plantsman89 Posted July 18, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2018 10 hours ago, Blocky71 said: What's your tap water tds though Stephen?, I'm guessing some of us need that 4th stage.... I certainly need that 4th, we have 420ppm straight out the tap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blocky71 Posted July 18, 2018 Report Share Posted July 18, 2018 I'm not far behind mate at about 350.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted July 18, 2018 Report Share Posted July 18, 2018 (edited) On 7/12/2018 at 9:21 PM, Plantsman89 said: Thanks, will do There's a kit available for the system I have to put a second RO membrane on the waste water outlet to increase the water output and decrease waste. Would that be worth doing? Presumably this consists of both membranes in a series chain and a single flow restrictor after? As pressure is needed across the membrane. Edited July 18, 2018 by Stu Spelling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plantsman89 Posted July 18, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2018 26 minutes ago, Stu said: Presumably this consists of both membranes in a series chain and a single flow restrictor after? As pressure is needed across the membrane. I do believe so yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenofeden Posted July 18, 2018 Report Share Posted July 18, 2018 Am about 300ppm here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blocky71 Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 It's a valid point Stephen, If a 3 stage brings it down enough to be useable. my 4 stage is has gone from putting out 0ppm to around 16ppm at present, that will steadily rise with more useage until obviously the water produced will fall out of ' safe' limits. It would be interesting to know whether a 3 stage degrades slower than a 4 for example, what I mean is if both units degrade at same speed, yours would fall out of tolerance before mine. As you've already pointed out the 3 stage units are less wasteful though so maybe even if yours did degrade as quick you could have saved enough on the reduced waste water ( if you're metered) to buy a new membrane .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plantsman89 Posted July 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2018 22 hours ago, Blocky71 said: It's a valid point Stephen, If a 3 stage brings it down enough to be useable. my 4 stage is has gone from putting out 0ppm to around 16ppm at present, that will steadily rise with more useage until obviously the water produced will fall out of ' safe' limits. It would be interesting to know whether a 3 stage degrades slower than a 4 for example, what I mean is if both units degrade at same speed, yours would fall out of tolerance before mine. As you've already pointed out the 3 stage units are less wasteful though so maybe even if yours did degrade as quick you could have saved enough on the reduced waste water ( if you're metered) to buy a new membrane .... Just put of interest, what would be a 'safe' limit on the ppm? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blocky71 Posted July 21, 2018 Report Share Posted July 21, 2018 I was always of the belief that 100 ppm was considered about as high as you could get away with. Recent reading though seems to suggest no more than 50 ppm. I'd also be interested in others opinions. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deltatango301 Posted July 21, 2018 Report Share Posted July 21, 2018 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plantsman89 Posted July 26, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2018 I thought it would have been less than 100ppm. I must say I'm very jealous of the 19ppm from the tap too! One thing worth noting though, the lack of dissolved solids in the DI water shouldn't do them any harm and won't rob the plants of minerals. Roots work by osmosis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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