This will be a slow build

Mjl714

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Finished my year test on the Filmtec TW30-1812-50HR membrane. Switching to a SpectraPure SpectraSelect Plus 99% Rejection RO Membrane 90GPD -MEM-SP-0090 now. We will see if $73.99 membrane provides any value over the $30.50 membrane.

Average rejection was 98.5%, average production was 75 GPD and average recovery was 22%.

@Woodyman

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Great idea, I’m also interested if there is any value in this switch to SpectraPure. Looking forward to your conclusions.
 
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KStatefan

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After installing the new membrane yesterday I let it run for 24 hours to rinse and stabilize. This morning I worked with flow restrictors to get to the same 3.0:1 that I had on the previous membrane. The "soft water" restrictor from SpectraPure was 2.3:1 and the "Hard Water" was 4.1:1.

First Data point

80 PSI
73° F
98.3% Rejection
87 gpd
25% Recovery

Pretty much the same values as I got yesterday with the 50HR membrane.
 
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KStatefan

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Keep getting noise in my probes when i d some cleaning in the tank

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KStatefan

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After two data points I see now reason to purchase a Spectrapure select over the TW30-1812-50HR. The production rate looks better but that will come down during the winter due to source water getting colder. I will continu to run this membrane for a year to see just to have the same amount of data after that I will switch to another membrane to test.
@Mjl714 @Woodyman

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KStatefan

KStatefan

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I love the new tank and QT! How’s everything with it now?
Nothing in Coral QT right now

Fish are fine

Went thru and scored the corals that made it to the display tank about 56% made it to the display tank of those
11%​
Thriving
46%​
Good
37%​
Surviving
6%​
Not Dead yet
 

Miami Reef

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Nothing in Coral QT right now

Fish are fine

Went thru and scored the corals that made it to the display tank about 56% made it to the display tank of those
11%​
Thriving
46%​
Good
37%​
Surviving
6%​
Not Dead yet
Why do you think that’s happening? Asking in a respectful way. I like learning from my peers.
 
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KStatefan

KStatefan

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Why do you think that’s happening? Asking in a respectful way. I like learning from my peers.

I think it is from trying to keep nutrients up in a fish-less coral QT tank. Before I do any more I am going to set up my AWC to go thru the QT tank. I have screwed up some with my mistakes. I have had the best luck with hammers as 100% of them made it to the QT tank. Zoas fairly good luck besides getting a phone call when I was dipping three of them but right now an struggling with alga growing on them. I have one goni that is thriving
 
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KStatefan

KStatefan

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Agreed, what are we looking at?

Algae that i picked off a zoa this morning

I know the firecracker looking stuff is diatoms

Last week there were a few Small Cell Amphidinium (dinoflagellate)
 
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KStatefan

KStatefan

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Hopefully have nitrate and phosphate some what stable and not zero

1660776904971.png
 
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KStatefan

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Added a black vinyl band accross the top of the tank. I like the looks of that better since the waterline always looked dirty. Now just need to get the algae in the tank under control.

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My membrane testing continues to show the Spectrapure has no added value to me over the Filmtec membrane. I was suprised to see the increase in production rate this month at basically the same psi and temp. I will continue the testing for the full year then try something else. I want to try a FilmTec™ Aqualast™ 1812-HR Element but I have not seen them for sale anywhere.

@Mjl714 @Woodyman

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Mjl714

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Your rock structure will look beautiful when the corals cover it. Do you like and find the auto feeder helpful and dependable?
 
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KStatefan

KStatefan

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Your rock structure will look beautiful when the corals cover it. Do you like and find the auto feeder helpful and dependable?

I like the auto feeder and have had no issues. Feeding chromoboost TDO Chroma Boost thru it.
 
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KStatefan

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Six months in to my testing on the Spectrapure membrane compared to the Dow the only significant difference is the production rate which would be expected comparing a 50 gpd membrane with a 90 gpd. I do not care about production rate as long as it is above 40 gpd or so. I was hoping for better rejection rate but is is basically the same as the TW30-1812-50HR.

@Woodyman @Mjl714

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Mjl714

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Thank you for doing a comparison and letting us know. My experience with the dow membranes, generally purchased from BRS, is that they vary in quality. Some, like the current membrane function very well reducing my tds to 1-2 from approx 160 out of the faucet. Some membranes will do this longer than other membranes and all other factors are relatively consistent. I should try take my data and summarize it more formally.
 

A worm with high fashion and practical utility: Have you ever kept feather dusters in your reef aquarium?

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