RO UNITS: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

[ronrca]

I understand Randal! Thanks! I will have more questions, dont worry! ;D RO units are something I do not understand yet so I will be bugging you about them. For me, the best way to learn is asking questions and doing it myself, building it! ;D

I dont know my TDS (hint, hint ;D) but my kh/gh is around 100ppm!

[tau]

What are the advantages of using R/O water over plain Tap? If there is a big difference is it worth the cost of purchasing? I'm new to this hobby, so I'm assuming that the R/O used for fish are the same ones sold at the local hardware store for big bucks. ???

[RandalB]

Tau,
It all depends on your tap water. Most tap water is ideal for raising baby discus or keeping adults for show. If you are intending to breed your discus, you may want to use RO water to lower the dissolved solids and improve your hatch rates or to induce your fish to spawn.

Yes, The RO units (like the one's I have for sale cheap) are very similar (If not higher quality) to the ones that go for big $$ at the online pet supply places and at Home improvement stores. The actual cost of RO units is very low. There is a tremendous markup on the stuff because it's a specialty product (It says for aquariums on the label....)

The whole purpose for using RO is to produce water that has almost no mineral content at all. The low mineral content allows easy pH modification and conductivity modification. It also makes great drinking water.

HTH,
RandalB

[tau]

Now you got me very interested. How much would it cost for me to get an R/O from you. Do you have a website or price list you can send me. Now remember I can't look at part prices because I don't know anything about R/O. OH! and also can I drink from the water of the R/O's you sell.

[ronrca]

Take a look here and see if there is anything you like:
http://forum.simplydiscus.com//index...threadid=10311

HTH!

[RandalB]

Thanks Ron,


Tau,
You can drink the water from all the RO units. I recommend the 5 stage unit for Drinking water purposes though. It has a taste improving Carbon filter as the last stage.

I am happy to help you with any questions you might have....

RandalB

[tau]

Thanks Ron and Randal,

This information really helps. I know what i'll be saving up for next.

[NoBarDiscus]

Are all "MICRON SEDIMENT FILTER " and "CARBON CARTRIDGE " standard size? I have a Kent RO unit and was wondering if I could use the Home depot version of the micron sediment filter.

Thank you for your input.

[RandalB]

No Bar,
Yes they are. You should have 9 3/4" (referred to as 10&quot prefilters on that Kent. Home depot should carry what you need in the plumbing department. Make sure to get the right micron ratings.

HTH,
RandalB

[Huy Nguyen]

I have a R/O system. it's all hooked up. But it doesn't work right. It never got to final stage of filtration (membrane). I only get the discharged water. What should I do?

[RandalB]

Huy,
If your unit is equipped with a flush valve make sure it's in the closed (operate) position. If it's not, check the waste line to make sure the flow restrictor is intact. The flow restrictor is located inline on the waste line or in the waste fitting of the membrane housing.

Fast flow from the waste line indicates that there is not enough pressure on the membrane to force water through it. Therefore, no product water.

Check the above and let me know if that solves the problem. You can also E-mail me at Rbogath@aol.com for more instructions.

RandalB

[DiscusJeff]

My question is in regards to the softness of the output water.

My impression was that the output water was supposed to be "extremely soft", and there are very few disolved solids, thus requiring reconstitution to achieve an acceptable level of essential minerals, trace elements, etc.

I just tested my output water for softness and it is reading 35.8 PPM KH and 89.5 PPM GH! This is very close to the reading in my tap water. I was expecting less than 17.9 KH and GH. Is my filter not functioning properly?

Thanks,

Jeff

[RandalB]

Jeff,
I don't know what your feed water is like, but you should definately have much lower readings than that.

Something's wrong with your RO unit.

A couple of questions might help track down the problem:

1) What Brand and capacity (GPD) is the unit?

2) How long have you had it running?

3) What are the parameters of your feed water (pH, gH, kH and temp)?

4) How old is the membrane and how long has it been since you changed prefilters?

5) Does the Waste water have the same readings as the product?

Finally, a Picture of the unit and how it's hooked up will also help. We'll see if we can get your unit working like it should.

RandalB

[DiscusJeff]

Its a Kent Marine RO 100 HiF 100 GPD.

My tap is roughly the same hardness as the current RO output is. PH ranges between 7.6 and 8.4.

I've had the unit just over a year. I have not replaced anything yet.

I'll post a pic later today.

Thanks!

[RandalB]

Jeff,
You haven't replaced your prefilters at all? Are you on a Chlorine water system?

RandalB