Reverse Osmosis Setup Check

[PaperArrow]

firstly Hi to everyone in this part of the forums, great to be here.

So I finally have all the equipment i need to start my nano reef, i decided to go for a ro unit from the start, a small 50 gdp unit, however it arrived without instructions........so using common sense mainly I have set it up......but before i plumb the tap in i seek reassurance.

Here is a pic of how i have set it up....it would be great if you could let me know if it is ok to start. is the non return valve in the right place. (still need to add hose pipe to tap connection part).

Also i picked up a pressure gauge and t piece it required. but i have no idea how to connect it, i think i need another nut type part on the t piece. if anybody could help here also i would be very grateful

And lastly i have a new tank, but as its been a while since i got it, it has got very dusty...is there anything i should/shouldn’t clean it up with for a saltwater reef?.

 

[bobf]

Hi there..

The connectors on the pressure guage and 'T' piece look like push-fit connectors - think you just want a short length of 1/4 inch pipe to join 'em up. Think the threaded end of the 'T' wants to go into the threaded (female) end of the tap fitting?

There are a few installation guides here - check out the one 'nearest' to yours, taint rocket science!

installation guide

Try cleaning your tank with warm water and if you need to, one of those plastic scourers (assuming tank is glass, not acrylic). I'd stay well clear of soaps and other stuff like that - maybe use very weak bleach solution but you will need to rinse very thoroughly. Elbow grease should get it done most safely.

If you haven't got one already, get a TDS meter - sure way to check your RO system is doing its job, plus you'll know when the membrane wants flushing or changing - best £15-20 you can spend. (see theifbay if needs be)

 

[SkiFletch]

Use vinegar and water to clean it .

As for the RO unit, the white hose connects to your water line via the fitting in the second pic. The blueline is RO water and the red is the waste water. I'd be most concerned with how you flush the membrane? Did the kit come with instructions on membrane flushing?

 

[PaperArrow]

Thanks so much, i am well on my way now, I had it all connected last night.

I was scratching my head for a few moments when something was leaking, it turned out to be a pin hole in the length of hose i pinched from the garden, a new piece should see it water tight.

Although no pure water was produced in the possibly single minute it was on, i hope once its all run in, this will change. The chambers are now full of water.

There was a lot of pressure; I will check this however, once I have another look at the pressure gauge fixing.

FLUSHING -

No instructions came with the unit what so ever let alone flushing.

I had made a note when researching RO, that you should flush the first 5 gallons of good water, is this correct procedure for flushing? I will probably flush a little more.

I bought a dual inline tds meter from the same guy on ebay UK, Looks identical to the blue one on osmotics. which I also anticipate to arrive without instructions. It’s all part of the fun. He is a new seller 11 ratings but he seems very professional, he is also selling some nano halides. ebay profile - kindred1959

Thanks again guys, this would not be so much fun without your support.

 

[steelhealr]

The pressure gauge doesn't have to be plumbed in as a contant. You can use it for intermittent checks. SH

 

[Allen]

Well, got my 75GPD 4 Stage RO unit setup today and I must admit to feeling a twinge in my pants as I turned it on.

Also blagged a dual inline TDS meter too and I am actually getting 240ppm in and 6ppm out.

My LFS RO water is 18ppm so I guess mine is "better"

No more driving to the LFS and humping 10 gallons back a time.


Woohooo !

(heads off to watch it working)


"you should flush the first 5 gallons of good water"

My understanding of this is you dump the first 5 gallons of RO you produce when using a new membrane.

 

[SkiFletch]

Sounds great . And yeah, dump the first 5g out

 

[Fatty]

Sounds great . And yeah, dump the first 5g out

Agreed, but flushing is not the process of dumping the first 5 gallons of a new membrane, you always need to do that.

Flushing is by-passing the restrictor on the waste water out on the membrane so water is allowed to 'flush' straight thru the membrane producing no good water (because no pressure). I suggest you just disconnect the pressure restrictor to do this, my system just has a tap plumbed in parellel to do this. I tend to flush the membrane every week at least for three or four minutes, it does make a difference when the membranes been in use for a while.

happy RO making

Fatty

 

[PaperArrow]

Thank you so much for that!

I have had my Ro unit switched on for about 36 hours and it had produced about 10g, at 50psi.........drip drip and huge amounts of waste,

This i have now realised (thanks Fatty). is because i had the pressure restrictor on the good water outlet not the waste! ....... i thought it was a non return valve........i now wish i had instructions. I have wasted a lot of water! and i have no idea (until my tds meter arrives) if the water i have already produced is any good. as there was not a lot of back pressure.

Having switched them, i am now getting far closer to the 4:1!

Does this sound about right now? hope so! so close now!


Thanks everyone....phew

 

[SkiFletch]

Yup, 3 or 4 gallons of waste for every gallon of RO created is about right

 

[PaperArrow]

exelent ,

Last night i re-filled up my tank, my tds meter arrived, and i popped it in the water i had already made, it measured 35 ppm, so i decided to start again now that it is working properly. water in = 198-204, and after between 8-13,

Its good to know that some lfs water is 18,

Now ready to test all my equpment and mix in salt

Thanks again everyone!