Gross sediment

Ram3500 · #1 11-06-2013, 10:21 PM

Is this normal after a week ?

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The ro/di system I use is a quick connect system . So I cant see the filter media. I normally have to change the sediment filter and carbon after about three or four months . At that point it just stops making water or at least very slowly. The past few months I have been replacing the filters every month, so I added another per filter stage a 1 micron filter to see if I could get a longer life out the filters. I cant believe how gross the sediment filter got after just one week of normal running . Any one else have this problem ?

Reef Pilot · #2 11-06-2013, 10:31 PM

Yes, in Langley that can happen. There have been times when I had a plugged filter after just 1 month. Not sure what they do here, but have heard that it comes when they flush their pipes in certain areas. Lots of construction going on, too.

I now use a 5 micron sediment pre-filter, and change it (usually 3 months) before it plugs up my carbon filters.

hillegom · #3 11-06-2013, 10:38 PM

I have seen that too, mostly in the spring, but as well, when construction occurs in the area.
As a side note, that grossness (word?) also occurs in your hot water tank. Flow of water slows down in there and sediments settle out. In the summer, I flush out my hot water tank.

Ram3500 · #4 11-07-2013, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

Yes, in Langley that can happen. There have been times when I had a plugged filter after just 1 month. Not sure what they do here, but have heard that it comes when they flush their pipes in certain areas. Lots of construction going on, too.

I now use a 5 micron sediment pre-filter, and change it (usually 3 months) before it plugs up my carbon filters.

There is a huge development going in a few blocks away from my home it must have something to do with that construction . The worst part of it all was it was all slimy GROSS good thing pre filters are cheap I will have to stock up

asylumdown · #5 11-07-2013, 05:41 AM

That's what happened to my pre-filters during the floods in June. I went through 2 or 3 pre-filters in a month if I remember correctly.

Yes, you drink that every day. Ew.

Slyguy00 · #6 11-07-2013, 05:43 AM

I know my tap water in abbotsford comes out at like 220 ppm. Im not sure but that also seems pretty high. I already notice my sediment filter browning and iv only had it for a week or two. After ro it is down to about 7+/-

The Guy · #7 11-08-2013, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ram3500

Is this normal after a week ?

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The ro/di system I use is a quick connect system . So I cant see the filter media. I normally have to change the sediment filter and carbon after about three or four months . At that point it just stops making water or at least very slowly. The past few months I have been replacing the filters every month, so I added another per filter stage a 1 micron filter to see if I could get a longer life out the filters. I cant believe how gross the sediment filter got after just one week of normal running . Any one else have this problem ?

Not sure if I would call it a problem, more like it's doing it's job like it should. I'm on well water and our water is @ about 0.75ppm out of the ground and my RO is @ about .02-3ppm and DI @ .05ish ppm, Change prefilters every 7-8 months an they look brownish as well.

tang daddy · #8 11-08-2013, 04:46 AM

I got lazy and changed mine after 6 months, the whole thing was completely brown not like yours where the inner is still white, also there was sludge on the outside of mine. After that nasty experience I change mine every 3-4 months.

Ram3500 · #9 11-08-2013, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clown lover

Not sure if I would call it a problem, more like it's doing it's job like it should. I'm on well water and our water is @ about 0.75ppm out of the ground and my RO is @ about .02-3ppm and DI @ .05ish ppm, Change prefilters every 7-8 months an they look brownish as well.

Ya if I got 7-8 months out of a per filter that would be great but that photo is after one week so a little concerning about h20 quality in yorkston at the moment. I have never had this problem with the system blocking up after a month since I started runing a ro/di system three years ago

mike31154 · #10 11-08-2013, 03:11 PM

Can't beat a visual inspection when it comes to seeing if your sediment filter needs changing! That's a good reason to spend a few extra $$s for the clear filter housings rather than the white ones for sediment stages on your RO system.

As to what's normal, that will vary depending on each individual's source water quality and in many cases the time of year & as mentioned, if your supplier is flushing lines in the neighbourhood. It also depends on how much water you're producing during a given time period. While most of us likely produce about the same amount of water every month, I find a more accurate way to determine filter condition is by tracking the quantity or volume of water through the RO membrane, rather than by calendar. Since I use RO for purposes other than just my tank (making beer, wine, tea, coffee, soda pop etc.), there are times when I'll run the RO more often.

It's tough to provide advice on what's normal when someone says 'this is what it looks like' after a week or month, when one has no idea what the source TDS was or how many gallons were actually put through the RO system. Even though another hobbyist in your area might wish to give sound advice, that hobbyist may have a much larger or smaller tank than you and he/she may produce a vastly different amount of water in a given time frame than you.

Here's a screenshot of Excel spreadsheet I use to track my RODI system performance. In addition to the visual cue of the sediment filter, I use the pressure differential between a pressure gauge that measures house pressure & one before the RO membrane. This differential is a sure fire clue when the sediment filter stages might need attention.

Note the absence of any activity in the pre filter columns for many months. Last time I have a record of any maintenance is end June, the row just cut off in this screenshot. The pressure differential had crept up to 28. I removed the 5 micron, scrubbed the outside of it in the sink & put it back in. Bingo, pressure differential back down to 17 and still there after 4 months. I realize a sediment filter is not that costly, but what the hey, if I can get a few more months out of it.....bonus.

Also note that I multiply the total in cell D53 by 4. This provides an approximate volume of total water throughput based on the manufacturer's specified 1 to 4 product water to waste ratio. This number gives me a better idea of when the carbon block is nearing the end of it's life. The carbon block in my system is supposed to be good for 20,000 gallons. Once I get close to that number, I use a swimming pool water test strip with chlorine indicator on a sample from the output of the carbon filter to make sure it's still doing the job.

Edit: just noticed my comment for cell D53 is in error. The 1 to 4 ratio total only comes into play in cell D54. Need to fix that!