RODI & Source Water

ChaddyJ_7

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What’s up R2R?

I have been using my RO drinking water to mix saltwater with for years now on a few different tanks. I’m building a new system and recently got one of the BRS 5 Stage 75 gpd RODI systems & have been using it for a few days now.

A couple things I’ve noticed:

1) My pressure tops out at like 50-55 psi, but is usually around 40.
2) I’ve made about 30-40 gallons of RODI water and I’ve already burned through my DI resin & registered 1 TDS by the end of my last batch.
3) My waste water volume (not sure exact ratio) seems wildly inefficient - at least 4:1 if not higher.
4) I can only make about 2 Gallons of product water in an hour despite my system being rated for ~3/hr.

I am on a well and using a hose spigot in my garage to run thru the RODI. I’ve already ordered a Smart Buddie booster pump unit to get my pressure up, which from what I understand should equate to much better efficiency. Also planning to upgrade to a 3-Stage DI.

I also spoke with my Landlord (aka my Dad), and learned that in addition to a water softener, we have a dosing pump on our entire plumbing system running Sodium Carbonate & Tripolyphosphate because apparently our well water is somewhat acidic, and also has some Nitrate & Phosphorous in it. Does anyone have experience dealing with this that could give some insight in terms of how this might affect RODI efficiency/production?

I’m working on getting a water test from our local company to find out EXACTLY what’s in my water, how much of it, and what the best course of action is. Just wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience and what might have worked for you.

PS - my dad did mention that it might be time to mix a new batch of Soda Ash for the dosing container…knowing him it’s probably long overdue, lol. I’m curious if this will alleviate some of the load on the DI/inefficiency as well. Does it make sense that some acidity would make it past my pre-filters & RO membrane, and burn through resin faster? Or would the acidity be pulled out by the carbon stage?
 

KStatefan

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Well water can contain high amounts of CO2 that will burn thru DI resin. My source comes from a well and I run mine thru a degassing chamber prior to the resin.
 
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ChaddyJ_7

ChaddyJ_7

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Well water can contain high amounts of CO2 that will burn thru DI resin. My source comes from a well and I run mine thru a degassing chamber prior to the resin.
Interesting. Can you link/share your system or equipment for that process? I’m guessing it’s essentially oxygenating your source water?
 

KStatefan

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Catawba_Valley_Reef

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I’m on a well too.

Co2 burns out the di resin much faster. I have separate DI canisters…and noticed that it’s only anion resin burning out. Cation stays untouched…but this all depends what’s in your water.

The booster pump will help with efficiency, but a 4:1 ratio is pretty standard for ro/di.

You can get a water saver unit, basically two ro membranes to help with the efficiency piece.
 

bubbgee

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Any tips about DI resin? Mine burned out in 2 months, probably just about 120-150 gallons made before I start seeing 1TDS.
 

Randy Holmes-Farley

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What’s up R2R?

I have been using my RO drinking water to mix saltwater with for years now on a few different tanks. I’m building a new system and recently got one of the BRS 5 Stage 75 gpd RODI systems & have been using it for a few days now.

A couple things I’ve noticed:

1) My pressure tops out at like 50-55 psi, but is usually around 40.
2) I’ve made about 30-40 gallons of RODI water and I’ve already burned through my DI resin & registered 1 TDS by the end of my last batch.
3) My waste water volume (not sure exact ratio) seems wildly inefficient - at least 4:1 if not higher.
4) I can only make about 2 Gallons of product water in an hour despite my system being rated for ~3/hr.

I am on a well and using a hose spigot in my garage to run thru the RODI. I’ve already ordered a Smart Buddie booster pump unit to get my pressure up, which from what I understand should equate to much better efficiency. Also planning to upgrade to a 3-Stage DI.

I also spoke with my Landlord (aka my Dad), and learned that in addition to a water softener, we have a dosing pump on our entire plumbing system running Sodium Carbonate & Tripolyphosphate because apparently our well water is somewhat acidic, and also has some Nitrate & Phosphorous in it. Does anyone have experience dealing with this that could give some insight in terms of how this might affect RODI efficiency/production?

I’m working on getting a water test from our local company to find out EXACTLY what’s in my water, how much of it, and what the best course of action is. Just wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience and what might have worked for you.

PS - my dad did mention that it might be time to mix a new batch of Soda Ash for the dosing container…knowing him it’s probably long overdue, lol. I’m curious if this will alleviate some of the load on the DI/inefficiency as well. Does it make sense that some acidity would make it past my pre-filters & RO membrane, and burn through resin faster? Or would the acidity be pulled out by the carbon stage?

The sodium carbonate and phosphate addition may help the di last longer by preventing CO2 from getting through the ro.
 
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ChaddyJ_7

ChaddyJ_7

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I’m on a well too.

Co2 burns out the di resin much faster. I have separate DI canisters…and noticed that it’s only anion resin burning out. Cation stays untouched…but this all depends what’s in your water.

The booster pump will help with efficiency, but a 4:1 ratio is pretty standard for ro/di.

You can get a water saver unit, basically two ro membranes to help with the efficiency piece.
I’m taking this approach as well, I’ve ordered a dual DI chamber add-on with my booster pump so I hopefully wont waste as much resin because I have seen that typically the anion goes significantly faster than the cation
 
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ChaddyJ_7

ChaddyJ_7

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What’s up R2R?

I have been using my RO drinking water to mix saltwater with for years now on a few different tanks. I’m building a new system and recently got one of the BRS 5 Stage 75 gpd RODI systems & have been using it for a few days now.

A couple things I’ve noticed:

1) My pressure tops out at like 50-55 psi, but is usually around 40.
2) I’ve made about 30-40 gallons of RODI water and I’ve already burned through my DI resin & registered 1 TDS by the end of my last batch.
3) My waste water volume (not sure exact ratio) seems wildly inefficient - at least 4:1 if not higher.
4) I can only make about 2 Gallons of product water in an hour despite my system being rated for ~3/hr.

I am on a well and using a hose spigot in my garage to run thru the RODI. I’ve already ordered a Smart Buddie booster pump unit to get my pressure up, which from what I understand should equate to much better efficiency. Also planning to upgrade to a 3-Stage DI.

I also spoke with my Landlord (aka my Dad), and learned that in addition to a water softener, we have a dosing pump on our entire plumbing system running Sodium Carbonate & Tripolyphosphate because apparently our well water is somewhat acidic, and also has some Nitrate & Phosphorous in it. Does anyone have experience dealing with this that could give some insight in terms of how this might affect RODI efficiency/production?

I’m working on getting a water test from our local company to find out EXACTLY what’s in my water, how much of it, and what the best course of action is. Just wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience and what might have worked for you.

PS - my dad did mention that it might be time to mix a new batch of Soda Ash for the dosing container…knowing him it’s probably long overdue, lol. I’m curious if this will alleviate some of the load on the DI/inefficiency as well. Does it make sense that some acidity would make it past my pre-filters & RO membrane, and burn through resin faster? Or would the acidity be pulled out by the carbon stage?

The sodium carbonate and phosphate addition may help the di last longer by preventing CO2 from getting through the ro.
This is good to hear. I was (am) hoping this would be the case. Will have to mix a new batch of Sodium Carb/TPP and see what that does!

Booster pump & Dual DI chambers are coming Friday, so I will update sometime this weekend with my results.

Until then…time to get started on moving my current tank to make room for the new system & get cracking on an aquascape! Lots of projects :)
 

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