Help getting my RO unit going again

So read a post from azdesrat.
Currently have a
I am thinking spectrapure filters.

.5 micron sediment filter
.5 micron carbon block
NEW 99 Percent Rejection SpectraSelect Plus™ 90-GPD RO Membrane
brs di resin

My question is, the system I have no(the housing) 4 stage. has a 150gpd flow restrictor on it. So can i just buy any 90gpd flow restrictor and have it work right?

Also should I add a pressure gauge? or a in line tds meter?

 

I believe you can just change the restrictor out, and I would get an inline pressure gauge. I wouldnt really worry about the inline TDS meter and just get a handheld one.

 

The in line meters are convenient though. I use mine for incoming TDS and after RO, I then check the final output after the DI with my handheld. And you should be able to just change out the flow restrictor and be good to go.

 

You will want to order the matched 90 GPD capillary tube flow restrictor at the same time you order the new RO membrane, they are only about $5. You will then check your waste ratio and trim the restrictor length with a razor blade based on your findings. You do not want a fixed type restrictor, they are not one size fits all as some may lead you to believe, everyones water conditions are different so their restrictor will be slightly different too.

I would not spend all that money on quality Spectrapure replacement filters and membrane and then put regular DI resin in it. Spectrapure specially blends all their DI resins in house based on tens of thousands of hours of testing so you get only the best, freshly packed resin for reef use. You will not find that elsewhere and their resin will last much longer than others plus give you true 0 TDS or 18.2 megaohm resistivity water.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1839653

Yes add an inline pressure gauge, this is your tool to determine sediment and carbon block condition and headloss. Skip the inline TDS meter and spend the same $20-$25 on a good temperature compensated handheld from the same HM Digital. Something like the TDS-3, TDS-4TM or AP-1 will work very well and allow you to test more than two fixed places like the dual inlines. You will want to test your tap water TDS, RO only TDS before DI, final RO/DI TDS, your ATO container TDS, bottled water, the LFS water, your buddies water etc, the inline won;'t do that and it is not temperature compensated so is not as accurate anyway.

 

Well I just have 2 bags of BRS di resin already. So will it hurt to just use it up, then get the better stuff?
How do I check my waste ration? And how do I know what it is supposed to be?

 

Your DI resin may already be exhausted in the bags if it has not been stored properly and is 6 months old or older. DI has a relatively short shelf life even when packed and stored properly, by that I mean vacuum sealed in mylar foil bags so it stays damp and dark and stored in the back of the refrigerator. Years ago I made the mistake of buying a large amount and ended up throwing it away since it had all lost its cation and anion electrical properties. Check your RO only TDS and your RO/DI TDS to make sure the DI is doing its job of reaching 0 TDS and lasting as long as it should. I would not buy any more than you can use in 3 months or so, use it up then reorder before you know it is about to exhaust based on your previous experience.

You check your waste ratio with a measuring cup and a watch or clock by timing the output of the waste line then the treated line. The normal recommended waste ratio is 4:1 brine to permeate or waste to treated. IF, and only IF you have softened water, good pressure and lower than normal tap water TDS you may be able to reduce this to 3:1 or in rare cases 2:1 and still get good membrane life and performance but you need pretty good soft wate rto begin with to attempt this.

 

Alright. Well the DI resin is stored in those bags like you said, but not kept in fridge. Few months old. Junk it?

 

Don't toss it until you run some water with it and determine its condition, it may still be good.

If you look on pages 8-12 of this Owners Manual, they walk you through the steps to calculate your waste ratio and trim the capillary tube flow restrictor. An Owners Manual is included with every Spectrapure RO or RO/DI and they can be found online too.

http://spectrapure.com/manuals/CSPDI_MANUAL.pdf

Here is a little more detail on how and why Spectrapure DI resins are better and will actually cost you much less in the long run. My DI life went from 150 gallons per refill with othe rname brand resins to 830 gallons on my very first MaxCap to over 1000 gallons today and 3000 gallons out of a single SilicaBuster DI which is preceded by the MaxCap.
Why different DI cartridges? When to change and how to use. - Reef Central Online Community

They don't just portion out and repackage resin, they put it through its paces and improve upon it for years before offering it for sale.