RO filter question

I have a color changing DI unit, what does this mean ?

how many gallons do the filters filter ?

do you change all 3 filters at once.

I have done over 200 gallons so far.

My pressure is great so I do about 32 gallons in 8 hrs

 

Not sure on the color changing part.

The filters will not filter a specific amount of water. It depends on how dirty your water is to begin with. A handheld TDS meter is about $20 and will let you know when your filters need changed. Mine last about 8 months, with about 5 gallons a day.

All 3 get changed at once. I personally change my DI and 3 canister filters at the same time. I have not changed the membrane yet though.

 

Color change on the DI resin indicates when the resin has been used up.

 

I have town water, I think its hard water. does that help as far as calcium is concerned

what color do the DI change to?

Where can I get a TDS meter ?

 

Aquarium Water | Reverse Osmosis | RODI Water | ReefKeeper Water | TDS Meter from Senno

 

You can get a much better TDS meter than that for only $5 more at the middle of the page here:
Untitled Document It includes a built in digital thermometer and is temp compensated, 2%+/- accuracy and reads in 1 ppm increments up to 999 and by tens to 9999.

Filters have ratings, especially carbon blocks but it really depends on the micron rating of your filter, the condition of your tap water and how much you make. In general good quality filters will last a long time but the industry standard is to change them out every 6 months regardless of how much or how little water you have produced. Remember, all the waste flow goes through the sediment and carbon filters too so even though you may have made 200 gallons of treated water at least 1000 gallons has passed through them at the normal 4:1 waste ratio. They are there to protect the expensive RO membrane so keep up with the replacements and disinfect the system with bleach at least annually to keep bacteria and viruses at bay.

By all theree filters do you mean a sediment filter and two carbon blocks or sediment, carbon and DI? If its sediment and carbon then yes you change them all at 6 months and rinse them individually before adding the next filter in line. I have posted the directions many times and a search will bring them up. The DI gets changed when your final TDS is no longer 0 and it takes a TDS meter to tell you this, color changing resin is a poor indicator in most cases.

You really need a handheld TDS meter to determine your RO membrane rejection rate or removal efficiency as well as the DI condition.

You probably have 60-65 psi. Most good reef quality RO/DI systems have a built in inline pressure gauge as this is another necessary tool, about $15 if you don't have one and highly recommended. Pressure drop is an indication of plugged or fouled filters and another way to tell filter condition, especially if you have high sediment or particulate loading like the NYC area.

 

As always - good advice from the desert rat!