RO problems

[The Staffords]

We just put in all new prefilters and membrane and we are really burning through di resin at a fast rate. Tds is 350-380 coming into the membrane and was 6-8tds coming out. The out number has slowly creeped up to 12-14tds now. 1/4 of my di resin has changed colors with only making 30gal. We have a water softener and I was thinking about turning it up a bit. If anyone has suggestions please let me know.

[jeremyreef]

What is the TDS before the whole filter system? 6-8 out of the membrane is not bad, but weird that it is creeping up on you. Did you flush the carbon block and membrane properly prior to use?

[chromiumlux]

I read in a thread a while back--cant remember where--someone had this same problem. I would suggest also on top of flushing the system and new membrane that you check to make sure your flow restrictor valve is rated to match the membranes GPD output. Another thing is to make sure the membrane seal is seated properly in the housing. Possible that the membrane is being bypassed somewhere.

[The Staffords]

Not sure on the pre system tds but will check when I get home. I was fine with 6-8 but when I turned it off it was up to 14. I don't have a flush kit. I unwraped everything installed it all then I disconnected my membrane and turned on the system to try and flush a cpl gallons through my prefilters before I hooked my membrane up. I then connected the membrane back up and let it go for about 5-6hrs.

[The Staffords]

I bought a matching flow restrictor with the new membrane. I will check the seal when I get home

[The Staffords]

Do you flush an ro system by bypassing the flow restrictor?

[chromiumlux]

My system has the bypass flush kit installed when I bought it. You should be ok if you ran it prior to making water. I would check the tds after the membrane also and see what that number is. Then after the di as well. Check all three. In, out of membrane, out of di. You really want that tds down to "0"

[The Staffords]

370 before membrane 6-8 after membrane then creeped up to 14 after membrane. I'll check my after di tonight. If I did my math right 6-8 is about at the98% rejection rating

[chromiumlux]

You may still have some sediments from new filters. May do well to add another DI.

[The Staffords]

I feel like an idiot. As I was taking my membrane housing completely off I took off the lines and realized that I left the old restrictor in. Took it out and flushed the membrane and now it reads 362 before and 5 after the membrane. Im going to let it run a while to make sure nothing needs replaced.

[jeremyreef]

Haha good to hear you found the problem.

[The Staffords]

lol I feel pretty stupid for freaking out about it. Hope I caught it early enough that nothing need replaced.

[chromiumlux]

Glad you found the problem. You should have 0 tds now....eh?

[ghurlag]

Certainly don't be too hard on yourself. It isn't uncommon to get one little piece out of place and jack up the whole process. I read story after story about it before I bought my RO/DI unit. Who knows? Here in a few weeks, when I change out my prefilters, I may screw something up, and panic post :)